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What is the AFS Student Learning Journey?

On an AFS program, every student does more than just travel — they go on a learning journey.

Our students experience study abroad, learn global skills, practice social impact and return home to become active global citizens with the essential global skills they need to live, learn, work and volunteer to contribute to society and change the world.

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.

Discover AFS Education Goals

The AFS Student Learning Journey combines online and in-person learning at every step of your AFS program: before you travel, while you are abroad, and when you return from the program. This way you can connect globally with all exchange students who are on an AFS program at the same time as you, and interact locally in-person with your peers. This approach maximizes the learning outcomes from your AFS experience.

Before Your Program Starts: Discover

Online globally: Once you decide to go on an AFS program, you’ll become part of a global community and meet like-minded and diverse people before you even travel! Each student is enrolled in an online learning program, designed by AFS in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS), that compliments your in-person experience. You’ll meet, connect, and collaborate virtually with AFS peers from all over the world.
In-person locally: Before you travel, you’ll participate in a locally scheduled group orientation session that gives you the knowledge, coping strategies and skills needed to have a meaningful intercultural experience. This orientation will be a great way to meet other AFSers before they go abroad, and will be led by AFS staff and volunteers.

During Your Program: Develop

Online globally: You’ll continue to move through our digital program, learn how to help solve global and local challenges, and then have a chance to apply these skills and practice making positive change by working on a concrete team or individual project . Over the course of your AFS program, you will take 21 foundational modules, participate in 5 facilitated online meetings to discuss what you have learned, reflect on and share your insights, and undertake activities together with your fellow AFSers from around the world and supported by trained AFS volunteers.
In-person locally: When you get to your host country, you will have an arrival orientation with AFS staff, volunteers and—the most exciting part!—other students on the AFS program with you. You’ll have similar in-person orientations at the middle of your program, and before going back to your home country. You’ll also receive constant individualized support. At least once a month, students work with trained AFS volunteers to discuss their experiences. These monthly contacts and learning reflections help you develop a deeper appreciation of cultural differences and the most effective and appropriate ways to deal with them, as well as how to apply this learning later in life.

After Your Program: Debrief

Online globally: You’ll finish your online program with the knowledge and tools to become a successful changemaker, and the essential global skills you need to effectively contribute to society and change and succeed in the world. These skills are highly sought by employers and will be valued in your future students.
In-person locally: When you return home, you’ll participate in a re-entry orientation. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with AFSers in your own country, and reflect on the life-changing experience you’ve just had. This is also a great opportunity to continue your involvement with AFS by becoming an AFS volunteer or host family and exploring other AFS programs you can join. The end of your exchange is really just the beginning of your lifelong connection to the 1,000,000 strong AFS global network!

Get an Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact

For AFS students wanting to go above and beyond, we offer an Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact from University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS). This is a great way to boost your resume with official recognition from a world renowned university, and put your ideas for changing the world into practice.

Get your certificate

Do I have to pay extra for the online global component?

No. All the online and in-person program components described here are included in the program price. However, if you would like to take the Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact program, additional costs may apply.

What AFS programs are supported by the AFS Student Learning Journey?

How are AFS host families prepared and supported to welcome students from other cultures?

Just like the AFS Student Learning Journey, the AFS Host Family Intercultural Journey, is built on specific intercultural learning objectives and facilitated by trained AFS staff and volunteers. In addition to sharing your own culture and traditions with a teen, your Global Family benefits by:

Sharing your culture, family traditions and introducing your new member to your local community
Exploring and building your own intercultural awareness and understanding as individual global citizens and as a family,
Being better equipped to support your hosted student’s integration into a new culture, as well as their intercultural educational experience,
Learning about new cultures from your host student,
Contribute to changing the world by providing once-in-lifetime transformative opportunity to help a teen to be an active global citizen.

Find out more here.

How are AFS volunteers and staff trained to support the intercultural learning of students?

Can I do the online program without an exchange?

Explore More AFS Programs

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High School Study Abroad Programs

Study at a high school in a new country, during an academic year, semester or trimester. Make new friends, learn a new language, live with a global family, and become an active global citizen! It is all about personal growth, cultural exploration, active global citizenship and belonging.

Find out more

Short Study Abroad Programs

The AFS Academies are highly focussed short-term, theme-based programs for under 18s designed to empower you to change your world, engage in hands-on activities, and learn skills vital to becoming a global citizen of tomorrow. AFS Academies provide the perfect opportunity to explore human rights, STEM, language and culture, and sustainability.

Find out more

Virtual Exchange

AFS virtual exchanges help young people learn about connecting with people across cultures, become part of a global community, and achieve social impact. In addition to having fun, you’ll earn an award-winning AFS Global Competence Certificate or the Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact issued by AFS and the Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania.

Explore our virtual programs

The AFS Student Learning Journey

Our students learn the 21st Century skills needed to succeed in a global world