The Manhattan High School American Field Service Club has been organizing activities to help this year’s four exchange students adjust to life in Kansas while encouraging local students to engage with global cultures. 

AFS, part of the global AFS Intercultural Programs network, plans monthly events, such as cultural outings and social gatherings that build connections between exchange students and MHS students. MHS offers a supportive environment for exchange students, as the school’s diverse extracurricular offerings, including athletics, band and more, allows these students to see what a school year is like in America. The AFS Club collaborates with school staff to ensure exchange students feel welcomed, and help them get used to differences here at MHS. 

“I just really wanted to experience something new and try to see American culture and what it’s like,” junior Tristan Luch said. “I hope to experience a lot, because it’s everything to me and being here means a lot to me.”

The MHS club aligns with AFS-USA’s mission to promote a more just and peaceful world through intercultural learning. In the 2025-2026 academic year, AFS-USA celebrated its 78th anniversary of student exchanges, a legacy MHS proudly contributes to by hosting students from different countries.

“It’s very interesting. There’s a lot of cultural differences, I’ve had some culture shocks, but it’s really nice being here,” junior Marc Beurger said. “There’s police at the school. I walked into the school and then it was just a police officer there. My host mom explained it to me, but I was very alarmed. That was kind of weird. And you have more on a personal level with the teachers.” 

The AFS Club encourages all MHS students to join and participate in its mission. By engaging with exchange students, members gain intercultural skills and friendships. 

“I don’t really miss anything from home. I miss my family obviously but I really like it here. I could stay here for a while,” Luch said.