About AFS

We believe a just and peaceful world is only possible when the global community respects diversity, embraces inclusiveness, and actively works towards advancing global understanding. This mindset transforms communities—and helps solve our most pressing challenges.

AFS Theory of Change

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Experience

Study Abroad

Provide young people with immersive international or intercultural experiences.

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+ Learn

Global Skills

Support them with structured and facilitated intercultural learning journeys that lead to global competence.

+ Practice

Social Impact

Give them real-world social impact and changemaking exposure through training, activities and projects.

= Active Global Citizen

Have the essential global skills they need to live, learn, work and volunteer to contribute to society and change the world.

CREATE A MORE JUST AND PEACEFUL WORLD

2018 AFS Annual Report: We Develop Active Global Citizens

2018 was a powerful year for AFS. Working together with donors, partners, schools and local organizations in 99 countries, AFS delivered on our three strategic impact goals to expand our reach and be more diverse, inclusive and relevant to the communities we serve. AFS impact goals:

Develop active global citizens
Increase access to intercultural learning opportunities
Globalize schools and institutions

In 2018, we provided more people with intercultural, exchange and training programs:

Explore the 2018 AFS Annual Report

Download the 2018 AFS Annual Report

2017 Annual Report | 2016 Annual Report | 2015 Annual Report | 2014 Annual Report

What we believe in

Global competence is the “power skill” young people require to make their impact on an increasingly diverse world and global economy. Active global citizens must be prepared to communicate, collaborate and lead across differences to tackle the world’s greatest challenges and help more people benefit from a global economy.

AFS Mission

AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

AFS Values

AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity, and intolerance.

AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status.

AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.

Keeping our AFS Participants Safe

AFS around the world is committed to protecting the safety of AFS participants. AFS believes that it is always unacceptable for any person to experience abuse of any kind and makes all reasonable efforts to safeguard the welfare and minimize the risk of abuse of all people participating in AFS programs. Staff and volunteers of AFS around the world who become aware of an actual or potential situation of abuse or harm have a duty to promptly address the situation according to AFS policy. They also have a duty report the situation to the local authorities in accordance with local law requirements and any applicable national or local policies and procedures.

AFS History

AFS Intercultural Programs began as the American Ambulance Field Service, a volunteer ambulance corps created in April 1915 by A. Piatt Andrew. Learn about how AFS was transformed from a wartime humanitarian aid organization into a groundbreaking international secondary school exchange, volunteer, and intercultural learning organization in our timeline!

View AFS timeline

AFS develops active global citizens determined to make the world a better place. Our study abroad programs empower young people from all backgrounds with essential global skills—and the passion for making a difference.