Training Programs for AFSers

Discover all the skills development opportunities AFS has to offer for volunteers and staff!

This is a program of AFS International and is not administered by AFS-USA. AFS-USA is a separate legal entity from AFS Intercultural Programs/AFS International and is not a legal affiliate thereof.

Welcome! Here you can find all the training opportunities that AFS International offers to help you become more prepared and effective in your role within AFS as a volunteer, board member, or staff.

To learn more about each program and to register, click on each program’s website link. For monthly launch dates, as well as info on any live training offered by AFS International, click on the Network Training Calendar button below.

 

Network Training Calendar

For Volunteers

Your AFS organization must approve of your participation in these programs in order for you to be enrolled.
cls 2025

AFS Chapter Leadership Summit

A transformative event for current and future AFS volunteer leaders (November 20-24, 2025 in Mollina, Spain)

🌟 Create the Best Volunteer Experience
🌍 Excellence and Impact in Our Programs
🕊️ Promoting Active Global Citizenship

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Foundations.1

Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence

Learn about AFS and how we create impact, meet fellow AFS volunteers from around the world, and enhance your intercultural and global competence!

📌 11 modules
⌚ 4 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + Zoom Sessions

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GCC Qualified Facilitator Certification Program

Become certified to facilitate any version of the AFS Global Competence Certificate program for your 18+ mobility participants and other learners.

📌  18 modules of GCC + 8 modules of QF
⌚  10 hrs (avg)
📼  Online + 1 two-hour Zoom webinar + follow-up assignment
Certification fee starting at $125USD

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PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

Become certified to facilitate intercultural learning and global competence for your fellow AFS participants, volunteers and staff.

📌 15 modules
⌚ 8-10 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + 3 Zoom Sessions + Final project

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For Board Members

Governance.bpng

Governance and Leadership for AFS Board Members

The most important policies and procedures, tools, and best practices to help AFS Board members achieve their goals.

📌 14 modules
⌚4-6 hours (avg)
📼 Online + optional Zoom sessions
☑️ Standalone course

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Foundations.1

Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence

Learn about AFS and how we create impact, meet fellow AFS volunteers and staff from around the world, and enhance your intercultural and global competence!

📌 11 modules
⌚4 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + Zoom Sessions

More Information
PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

Become certified to facilitate intercultural learning and global competence to your fellow AFS participants, volunteers and staff.

📌 15 modules
⌚ 8-10 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + 3 Zoom Sessions + Final project

More Information

For Partner Directors

Governance.bpng

Governance and Leadership for AFS Board Members

The most important policies and procedures, tools, and best practices to help AFS leadeship achieve their goals.

📌 14 modules
⌚4-6 hours (avg)
📼 Online + optional Zoom sessions
☑️ Standalone course

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Managers-2

AFS Great Managers Training

Designed to strengthen the core skills needed to be a great manager. Based on a combination of psychological research on management and feedback from the Network.

📌 6 live online sessions
⌚2 hour per session
☑️ Standalone course

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Foundations.1

Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence

Learn about AFS and how we create impact, meet fellow AFS volunteers and staff from around the world, and enhance your intercultural and global competence!

📌 11 modules
⌚4 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + Zoom Sessions

More Information
PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

PEAK 1 Core Facilitation Skills

Become certified to facilitate intercultural learning and global competence to your fellow AFS participants, volunteers and staff.

📌 15 modules
⌚ 8-10 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + 3 Zoom Sessions + Final project

More Information

For Staff

GDPR

Data Protection and GDPR Training

Learn more about data protection requirements to ensure that AFS protects the rights of stakeholders, complying with the current legal regulations.

📌 7 modules
⌚5 hours (avg)
📼 Online
☑️ Standalone course

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Volunteer

Volunteer Management Online Training

This course helps anyone working with volunteers to develop the necessary skills for managing the volunteer experience.

📌 9 modules
⌚4-5 hours (avg)
📼 Online
☑️ Standalone course

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support

Participant Support Basics ▶Level 1

We will look at different aspects of participant support at AFS so new and experienced staff will approach support in a consistent manner.

📌 9 modules
⌚3-5 hours (avg)
📼 Online
☑️ This certification is a required for the in-person support training

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support2

Participant Support ▶ Emotional and Mental Health

A virtual training course which aims to develop a better understanding of emotional and mental health issues faced by our participants, and how to work together to provide support.

⌚2 half-day live sessions
📼 4 Zoom Sessions
☑️ Prerequisites apply

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Foundations.1

Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence

Learn about AFS and how we create impact, meet fellow AFS volunteers and staff from around the world, and enhance your intercultural and global competence!

📌 11 modules
⌚4 hours (avg)
📼 💻 Online + Zoom Sessions
☑️ Part 1 of ICL Training

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Managers-1

AFS Great Managers Training

Designed to strengthen the core skills needed to be a great manager. Based on a combination of psychological research on management and feedback from the Network.

📌 6 live online sessions
⌚2 hours per session
☑️ Standalone course

More Information

For more information about our training opportunities you can contact the Learning & Development Team at [email protected]