Torp Rivas Family: Tove Kristin, Octavio Teofilo, Thea Michelle, Christian Felipe, Victor Andres and Elise Andrea
AFS Norway
Volunteer Roles: Treasurer, Contact Person, Family and Participants Interviewer, Events Coordinator, Chapter Coordinator, Trainer, Board Member
Volunteer Since: 2003
As a Norwegian-Chilean family, the Torp-Rivas AFS story began in 2002 in Chile, where Tove volunteered and they hosted. After moving back to Norway, their involvement grew deeper. Over the years they have hosted several students, and each family member has played a unique role.
Tove, a language teacher, has been an indispensable part of AFS Romerike for over a decade, serving as treasurer, interviewer, event organizer, and contact person. Her reliability and dedication make her a pillar of the chapter, while her passion for language complements her dedication to AFS.
Thea, an alumna from New Zealand, went on to become a lawyer and one of AFS Norway’s most dedicated volunteers: chapter president, local board member, camp leader, trainer, and part of the EFIL prep team for the 2018 Volunteer Summer Summit. She was honored with the Spirit of AFS Norway Prize in 2013 and later served on the National Board during the pandemic.
Elise was involved in chapter activities even before her exchange to Germany in 2019. Returning during the pandemic, she initially faced limited opportunities, but after moving to Trondheim, she engaged as a chapter board member, national camp leader, and represented AFS Norway in the European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) initiatives. She studies anthropology and political science, and is responsible for the Debate Club in her university, reflecting her passion for intercultural dialogue, democracy, and active citizenship.
Victor, who studied abroad in Japan, now works as a nurse and has been an active volunteer in Romerike. Octavio and Christian Felipe have been steady supporters of the family’s engagement, opening their home to international students and supporting AFS activities.
The Torp Rivas family has actively promoted diversity and inclusion through their openness, hospitality, and intercultural experience. By welcoming young people from across the world into their home, they have brought cultures together in their community, schools, and local organizations. Their home has always been open to students in need, whether as a permanent host family or as a temporary/emergency family. Their international network now spans more than 40 countries – a testament to how they have lived the values of diversity and inclusion in everyday life.
Their professions and studies mirror AFS values of empathy, inclusion, and intercultural understanding, showing how they live the AFS effect in their daily lives. By bringing their professional values into their AFS work, and their AFS experiences into their professions, they have shaped countless students, host families, and volunteers into more active global citizens.