COVID-19 Resources
News & announcements
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AFS to resume limited study abroad programming for 2020 with heightened safety protocols and innovative program content
Since March, when COVID-19 forced AFS to suspend study abroad programs, many AFSers have been wondering if and when our exchange programs will resume. Today, we are able to announce… -
Re-entry in Crisis: 3 key strategies to support students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or cut short intercultural learning for over 5 million study abroad participants and international students. The already challenging process of returning home after an international… -
COVID-19 causes international exchanges to end early, but global learning grows stronger virtually
AFS helps thousands of students continue building global competence using a new online education platform Over 5,800 high school students in 50+ countries whose study abroad programs were abruptly cut…
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Global citizenship: No longer optional
by Daniel Obst, President & CEO, AFS Intercultural Programs The coronavirus has changed everyday life for everyone. This moment of slowing down, spending so much time at home, rationing supplies… -
A commitment to service in times of crisis
by Daniel Obst, President & CEO, AFS Intercultural Programs We’re living through some of the biggest challenges of our generation that will likely shape our lives for years to… -
Update on the AFS Response to COVID-19
AFS Intercultural Programs is closely monitoring the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the measures and actions by global health experts and government officials, including the declaration by the World Health…
AFS Intercultural Programs Response to COVID-19
Support Our Mission
AFS is one of the largest and most enduring not-for-profit international exchange organizations, with a mission to provide intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
To help AFS protect decades of knowledge from our committed volunteers, host families and staff, and to allow AFS to continue empowering the next generation of active Global Citizens, please consider contributing to the AFS COVID-19 Response Fund.
Sometimes a crisis makes you work a whole lot faster: in just a few weeks, we were able to re-program our AFS Global Competence Certificate, so that our exchange students are able to continue their intercultural learning virtually. https://t.co/3MbMjDZxNz
— Daniel Obst (@dtobst) April 20, 2020
25 years ago I was an @AFS exchange student in Hong Kong. Today I received a package of face masks from my Hong Kong family.
We’ve been using What’sApp and google translate to text for the last hour.
A bit of light in this dark time.
— Andrew Stober (@StoberofPhilly) April 17, 2020
Educating more young people to become global citizens is crucial in times like these, and it matters for the future of humanity, writes @dtobst, AFS President & CEO. Read more to see what 3 traits will be key for young people. https://t.co/6VXHmkwu3r #AFSeffect #globalcitizens
— AFS Intercultural Programs (@AFS) April 15, 2020
AFS volunteers and staff are true heroes during the pandemic! @Luisa_Novelli at @AFSenlaWeb did an amazing job to repatriate hundreds of students and now supports them through online intercultural learning program, featured in @MarieClaireArg. #AFSeffecthttps://t.co/kILDOtbFFW
— AFS Intercultural Programs (@AFS) April 9, 2020
In his latest article, @dtobst shares his 3 key takeaways of the past weeks:
– Volunteers are the true heroes in this crisis
– Young people show amazing solidarity & strength
– Exchange program alumni are on the frontlines of solving the crisis.https://t.co/eTcE3FHbaG #AFSeffect— AFS Intercultural Programs (@AFS) April 5, 2020
Extraordinary times see extraordinary people doing extraordinary things! Can’t be any prouder of AFS families, students, volunteers and staff for their resilience and love during this pandemia. Let’s keep working on our pandemia of kindness and empathy! #afseffect https://t.co/HtZslsNnl3
— Marcela Lapertosa (@MarceLapertosa) March 31, 2020
Virtual @AFS reunion last night, with friends calling in from Canada, Italy, New Zealand and around the US to reminisce and check in with each other during these tough times. Wonderful to just connect. #COVID19 https://t.co/yfOOY82hV0 pic.twitter.com/MJQuwpDtLw
— Cathy Wissink (@cathywissink) March 30, 2020
So very proud of the power of the @AFS network in this difficult situation. My special thanks go to the @AFSFinland gang and their endless strength and can-do attitude during the last two weeks. We made it. Together. #afseffect https://t.co/kKKIDU8F2m
— Anni Siltanen (@AnniSiltanen) March 30, 2020