New Delhi, 4 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi met with 16 year-old Sakthivel Manivel who will be undergoing an exchange student program to the Philippines through AFS Intercultural Programs India.

AFS India is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities.  It was established in 1914 and has been doing intercultural programs since 1947.  AFS is currently present in more than 54 countries with over 13,000 exchanges each year.

The high school student from Gujarat shared that his mother volunteered with AFS in the Philippines a few years ago which sparked his interest in the country.  Sakthivel will be staying with a host family in the Philippines for the entire 2015-2016 academic year.  Through AFS India, he met with the Embassy personnel to learn more about Philippine customs and school life in the Philippines.

Already knowledgeable about famous Philippine places of interest, Sakthivel hopes to be a bridge between the youth of India and the Philippines in the future.  When asked why Sakthivel chose the Philippines as his destination, he enthusiastically replied, “It’s better in the Philippines.”