AFS HISTORY
AFS Intercultural Programs (formerly the American Field Service) is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that has been a leader in high school student exchange for 60 years. During World Wars I & II, young Americans volunteered as ambulance drivers in the American Field Service evacuating the wounded from battlefields. When these brave, forward thinking individuals returned home, they founded a movement to promote understanding and peace through international student exchanges, known today as AFS Intercultural Programs. The AFS Founders believed—as AFS believes today—that the way to build a more just and peaceful world begins when people from different countries and cultures meet, learn together, and better understand one another. In 1947, for the first time ever, AFS exchanged 52 young people from 11 countries formerly at war, establishing a legacy of hope for future generations.
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Today, AFS exchanges more than 11,000 students each year among a partnership of more than 50 AFS Partner Countries. AFS proudly acknowledges an alumni network of more than 300,000 individuals who have studied abroad on an AFS Program. Former AFS Students live in more than 100 countries around the world. As one of the largest volunteer-based organizations of its kind, AFS has 30,000 volunteers worldwide and approximately 5,000 in the U.S.
AFS is the largest and oldest exchange organization worldwide. Wherever your adventure leads, AFS offers exchange students many advantages:
EXPERIENCE:
AFS has over 50 years of experience with student exchange programs. AFS is the leading student exchange organization and is widely recognized as an advocate for intercultural education and understanding. Each year South African students spend a school year, a semester or an intensive stay for 8 weeks through AFS in one of our 53 partner countries.
LARGEST VARIETY OF COUNTRIES:
Today, AFS operates offices in countries all over the world and organizes exchange programs on all continents. Did you know that you cannot only spend an exchange year in the USA or in France with AFS, but also in countries such as China, Egypt, Brazil, Hungary or Thailand? Over 40 countries are waiting for you to be discovered!
NON-PROFIT CHARACTER:
AFS Interculture South Africa (AFS ISA) is an international, non-profit organization working on a volunteer basis and finances its work by participation and membership fees, as well as from donations and public means. Each year about 10.000 young students and families participate in the AFS programs worldwide.
SUPPORT:
Our international partners welcome and support South African students and their families during the exchange experience. The AFS programs are carried by the commitment of volunteers worldwide. AFS has one of the largest volunteer based networks of its kind. There are around 30 000 active AFS volunteers throughout the world. They provide local support for the students and families by passing on their experience. This worldwide support-network will be there for you – around the clock and during your whole exchange experience.
INTERCULTURAL LEARNING:
A goal of all AFS programs is intercultural learning. AFS offers more than only learning a new language. During the AFS experience, we offer you the opportunity to really dive into the culture of your host country. You will be able to intensively experience an unknown culture. Through the integration into everyday life in a different country, an unknown world will become a part of you.
