1. www.afsusa.org 1-800-AFS-INFO

2. My name is ****** Background with AFS
Studied abroad or hosted students from *****

3. Study Abroad changed my life.
Through this experience I gained:
Independence
Language
Connections
Direction
Appreciation
Independence
Language, Confidence
Life-long connections and exchange
More focus on my studies, new career paths
Best of both worlds: perspective, criticism and appreciation of new country and home

4. AFS Mission Statement: more just and peaceful world
The History and Mission of AFS
AFS Mission Statement:
AFS-USA works toward a
more just and peaceful world
by providing international and
intercultural learning experiences to
individuals, families, schools and
communities through a
global volunteer partnership.
AFS began in WWI and WWII with
Volunteer ambulance drivers, who
transported wounded soldiers.
Following WWII, AFS International
Scholarships were established, to
support international youth exchange.

5. What’s for breakfast?

6. Argentina

7. Tofu, seaweed, rice and miso soup
Japan

8. Italy

9. Chicken, rice, beans, boiled egg
Malaysia

10. New Zealand

11. Ghana

12. Daal and yogurt
India

13. What is culture?
This is where we brainstorm a list of key culture elements - first American, then in general - if we were to compare two cultures.

14. The Iceberg Concept Greetings Clothing Food Language
Concept of time Family relationships
Concepts of justice and truth
Concept of self Need for rules
Importance of education
Roles and status by age, gender, class, occupation
To fill in the blanks

15. AFS offers . . .
60+ years of history and is the largest exchange organization
The widest selection of programs
A supportive network of volunteers to help you in the US, and while you are abroad
Orientations throughout process

16. Why become an AFSer? Learn about culture, first-hand!
Gain a new perspective
Stand out on college applications
Learn a new language
You will have the adventure of a lifetime!
You will make friends
from around the world

17. AFS Today AFS offers more
than 120 year, semester and summer programs to more than countries to high school students.

18. Study Abroad with AFS Europe Asia/Pacific Latin America Africa Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Finland
France
Asia/Pacific
China
India
Japan
Thailand
Latin America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Honduras
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Africa
Ghana
South Africa
Europe
Germany Hungary
Iceland Italy
Netherlands Norway
Portugal Russia
Spain Sweden
Switzerland Turkey

19. The right program for you
SUMMER
4-8 weeks
Options: Homestay, language study, community service
GAP Programs
Year, semester and summer
For high school grads
Academic or community service programs
YEAR
Complete immersion
About 10 months
Become fluent
SEMESTER
Works for busy students
About 6 months
Learn a language

20. AFS Requirements
Age for high school programs, 18 and older for Gap-year programs
GPA 2.8
Language Very few programs have requirements
Good health physically, mentally and emotionally to ensure the safety of participants, and a positive experience
Open to new experiences and ready for new challenges

21. Host with AFS Bring culture to your doorstep, without having to travel
Support another student and share your culture as they adjust to living living in the US
You don’t need to host in order to study abroad – but you CAN do both!
Make a lifelong friend to visit abroad in the future

22. What next? Visit www.afsusa.org Check out www.AFSblog.org
Sign up for an Online Info Session
Join ‘Ask an AFSer’ on Facebook
Talk to your parents
Just apply!

23. Connecting lives, sharing culture