1000+ future AFS exchange students joined the AFS Global Student MeetUp, a virtual preparation for their high school study abroad programs. Participants connected with one another across countries, interacted with the knowledgeable, fun, and experienced AFS volunteers, and got a feeling for what they can expect on their student learning journey. The students were hosted by AFS volunteers who were equally overjoyed with the experience.
On an AFS program, every student does more than just travel—they go on a learning journey. This virtual meetup kicked off the young students’ preparation for their AFS study abroad programs later this year. The generation of 2021 is the first one to combine their in-person intercultural exchange program with virtual learning in a global community.
Before, during and after their program, every AFSer benefits from an educational curriculum based on a proven educational methodology that we have developed over 75 years of intercultural learning, and recently updated in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS).
At the end of their learning journey, every student leaves with the “AFS superpowers” that they need to make the world a better place through active global citizenship: adaptability, critical thinking, self-awareness, empathy, communication, valuing differences, open-mindedness, global awareness, and change-making.