Scholarships - South Africa

AFS is committed to helping young people to go abroad regardless of their financial situation. That’s why AFS works with corporate and community sponsors and individual donors to help finance AFS programmes through full and partial scholarships.

As scholarships become available, details will be posted here.

Applications are open for a full scholarship sponsored by the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Programme and the Department of State. Applications will be open until for Mozambique until the 7th of October 2022. For more information please go to: YES Mozambique Program (English) or YES Mozambique Program (Portuguese).

Applications for the YES South Africa Program are now closed.

What we do

Educate and activate global citizens

AFS prepares and activates future leaders, global citizens and changemakers with essential 21st century intercultural skills to engage, lead and collaborate effectively in different cultural settings. Our international exchange, study abroad and volunteer programmes are supported by research-based intercultural learning journeys facilitated by trained AFS volunteers and staff.

AFS Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes

From High School Study Abroad, Language Learning, Volunteer Abroad, Gap Year Opportunities, Adult Study Abroad, Internships Abroad, Teacher Exchanges and Summer/ Short-term Study Abroad we are a pioneer on Intercultural Education.

Host Family Programmes

Hosting an AFS student is a rewarding and meaningful intercultural learning adventure for the entire family—sharing cultures, traditions and gaining new perspectives.

Volunteer Opportunities

AFS local volunteers are the driving force of AFS programmes and active at all levels—supporting students and families through their AFS intercultural journeys, participating in governance and policy development and leading social impact projects with local schools and communities.

Intercultural Learning and Global Citizenship Education

We help people of all ages and backgrounds develop leadership, problem-solving, language and intercultural skills needed to succeed in a global economy and make a positive difference in the world.

What we believe in

By linking our “learning to live together” philosophy to the defining global issues facing humanity, AFS fosters intercultural understanding as a powerful and productive tool for building a more just and peaceful world. The AFS global community embraces differences and believes our world is stronger and more interesting because of them.

AFS Mission

AFS Interculture South Africa is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organisation 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.

How we make a difference

Living, studying and volunteering across borders and in multicultural communities transforms lives, prepares global citizens and empowers changemakers. That’s what we call “The AFSEffect!” Our global community is:

Transformative: At different stages on amazing intercultural journeys—living, volunteering, working and collaborating with people around the world.

12182887_1090860610938061_8428667951258672307_o

Multigenerational: A global community of students, young adults, volunteers, families, educators, alumni, and staff engaged and energised – working together.

Inclusive: A welcoming, supportive network of confident, open-minded AFSers building bridges across cultures.

13450755_1231223156901805_4985777738664006270_n

Everywhere: Making a difference in communities, across industries and at the forefront of important international issues and social causes.

AFS Alumni

Be inspired by outstanding AFS alumni demonstrating the power of the #AFSeffect. AFS has more than 1 million alumni (former participants, volunteers, host families and staff) around the world. Click the “Learn More” button if you are interested in reconnecting with AFS or want to find out more about AFS alumni activities.

Learn More

The AFS global citizenship education agenda

AFS is an inclusive community of global citizens committed to help the world learn to live together.

What is global citizenship education?

Global citizenship education is a transformative, lifelong pursuit that involves both formal learning and practical experience. Global citizenship education helps people of all ages:

Respect cultural, gender, faith and other differences
Become more aware of the world beyond our own
Understand our responsibilities as members of the global human community
Embrace our roles in protecting our planet for a sustainable future
Be mindful about how what we do locally impacts the greater world

Learn more about the #AFSeffect for global citizens

AFS Alliances, Affiliations & Memberships

AFS and UNESCO

As of 2015, AFS is proud to have entered into a “consultative status” partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This status enables both organisations to collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest and social good.

AFS works closely and creatively with schools, universities, humanitarian and peace groups, governments and other NGOs on the issues that reflect our mission.

Learn More