AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

AFS began as ‘American Field Service’ in WWI & II when nearly 5,000 young men from all over the world volunteered as ambulance drivers. These young men who had seen the horrors of war pledged to promote peace and global understanding through intercultural exchanges. AFS has been doing intercultural programs since 1947, currently present in more than 54 countries with over 14,000 exchanges per year.

Since 1947, when the first student exchanges took place, more than 3,60,000 participants and a similar number of host families have been a part of AFS worldwide. Presently there are more than 50,000 active volunteers worldwide in various roles including board leadership, program operations, participant support, and marketing.

In India, AFS was present in 1960s. However, due to political reasons, it ceased its operations. In 2005, AFS India restarted and registered itself under section 25 of Companies Act, 1956 and since then has been growing in terms of its visibility, its offerings, and diversity of programs over the country. With a pool of 750 volunteers, AFS has its foothold in 50+ cities of India. In its 17 years of existence, AFS India has hosted more than 1400+ students and sent around 2000+ students on its programs and has been able to build its association with 250+ school pan India.

The volunteer body of AFS India primarily comprises of AFS alumni and their families; current & former host families; and educators. These are the people who keep the wheels of AFS running, dedicating their time and efforts for the organization.

AFS India’s vision for 2023 is to be the leading organization in intercultural education and experience that focuses on growing its programs for the underserved. We have been encouraging students, volunteers and families to embrace changemaking and social impact projects to improve local, national and global communities while supporting and valuing initiatives that extend our “learning to live together” philosophy to make a real difference in the world. We look forward to using all the structured intercultural learning tools to help everyone involved to collaborate with each other and lead across cultural differences.

Objective

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.

India Vision 2023

To be the leading organization in intercultural education and experience that focuses on growing its programs for the underserved.

Mission

AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

Values

AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledge 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.

Global competence is the “power skill” young people require to make their impact on an increasingly diverse world. Active global citizens must be prepared to communicate, collaborate and lead across differences to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

Importance of intercultural program

Intercultural communication training is incredibly important to breaking down cultural barriers and building awareness of cultural norms, as well as enhancing self-awareness and communication skills.

Program Benefits

• A strong connection to and involvement with the people and way of life of your host country.
• New relationships that will change your outlook in profound ways.
• A passion for understanding different cultures in addition to the one you visit.
• The ability to understand and to express yourself in another language, often fluently.
• A lifelong interest in and concern for the other countries and international issues.
• A greater flexibility when dealing with other people and situations.

AFS High School Program

Age limit - 15 to 17 1/2years. Duration- Generally 1 academic year or 1 year

Program Details

Intercultural Programs India

AFS is an international, voluntary, non - governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS was created in 1914 and has been doing intercultural programs since 1947, currently present in more than 54 countries with over 13,000 exchanges per year.

The essence of any AFS program is 'Stay and Study' in a different cultural setting. Participants live with a host family experiencing home and family life that is in many ways different to their own culture and routine.

The benefits of this intercultural experience are manifold. The participant, the host family, host school, and the community get an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

AFS believes that we must build bridges of understanding and mutual respect between countries and cultures around the world. We further believe that today's youth —and tomorrow's leaders —are among the best "bridge builders" between nations.

AFS Intercultural Programs India looks forward to strengthening its presence amongst its stakeholders by undertaking local/national initiatives. The programs aims to bring together anyone and everyone who works in international setting, lives or travels abroad, faces issues of diversity in their personal/professional life, or simply seeks to grow through intercultural experiences, an official AFS Intercultural Programs India extravaganza with an array of activities.

Target Audience —AFS Intercultural Programs India stakeholders —Students, Volunteers, Educational Institutions/Boards, Dignitaries, Corporate, Government Officials and Education &Cultural Exchange industry representatives.

Intercultural Education —AFS has always stressed on the need for advocating Intercultural Learning amongst its stakeholder — the need to develop cultural competencies to help individuals adapt in culturally varied setups. Imparting relevant education through workshop, seminars, talks etc. via such a platform could help us brand ourselves amongst a wider audience.

The purpose of AFS programs is to develop effectiveness for those working in international environments, encourage cultural and personal self-understanding, and show how to deepen the learning experiences that come from travel and life abroad, an informal yet social extravaganza with an intercultural theme.