Program areas at Afs-Usa
Afs-Usa promotes intercultural learning through worldwide exchange programs for students and professionals. In doing so, it relies on volunteers in the united states to be host families and support afs participants, and on the american school system to provide educational opportunities for participants. Afs-Usa sent 378 participants abroad in fy23 (continued in schedule o).for americans going abroad, Afs-Usa offers school year, semester, summer and a growing number of short or customized programs. From the participant fees it collects, Afs-Usa provides selection, orientation, international travel, and liaison with afs offices abroad during the program. Afs-Usa also hosted participants from other countries on programs of varying lengths, including school year, semester or programs of shorter durations. Afs-Usa hosted 1,129 participants from abroad in fy23. In hosting, it collects a transfer fee from the sending afs organization and provides services such as finding host families, providing orientations, arranging domestic travel, and offering counseling support during the stay. Participating chapters are affiliated community-based organizations that may engage in fund-raising activities, sponsor students going abroad, and support host families and hosted students.
Volunteer activities - Afs-Usa has a network of more than 2,465 u.s. Volunteers who support international students and their host families, support u.s. students who want to study abroad and their families and work with educators, community leaders and others through activities in high schools and in the community. Volunteers increase awareness for afs programs and the need for americans to support international education and intercultural learning as a way to fulfill the afs mission of helping to build a more just and peaceful world.