In 1999, Nathalie and Luc decided to embark on a journey that would change their lives forever. They became an AFS Global Family for a young Hungarian AFSer for a year through AFS Canada. This experience opened their eyes to the beauty and richness of their own culture through the eyes of a young foreigner. Nathalie and Luc learned the happiness of sharing and rediscovering culture, which made them fall in love with AFS.
Nathalie and Luc welcomed several other students from different countries such as Japan, Austria, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, and Thailand through AFS and other organizations. Their family became a melting pot of cultures, where each student was unique, and diversity was a gift. Nathalie and Luc believe that inclusion is one of their true values, and they embraced every student with open arms.
Nathalie and Luc have three children of their own, but they also adopted a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and welcomed her into their family. Despite the challenges that come with raising a child with FASD, Nathalie and Luc never stopped hosting with AFS. They believed that hosting with AFS reflected their family values and priorities.
Nathalie and Luc’s experience becoming an AFS Global Family is a testament to their commitment to promoting peace and understanding among different cultures. Their experience has not only enriched their lives but also the lives of the students they have hosted and the families they have worked with. They are a true inspiration to those who want to make a difference in the world, one student, one family, and one culture at a time.
Do you want to know more about AFS Global Families? Contact AFS in the country where you live to become an AFS Global Family. Find out more about how AFS supports families here.