AFS Global Competence Certificate is a blended learning program that develops tangible global skills essential to live, work, and make a real social impact around the world. It is a scalable, flexible, global, easy-to-use, and research-based tool. Explore our suite of products.
Educating global citizens to make a real difference
A world-class intercultural education organization, AFS helps the world learn to live together.
Explore our innovative offerings
AFS Effect+ Program
AFS Effect+ Program are customizable, interactive workshops that introduce young people to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can work together to help advance these goals in their communities.
AFS Global Conference
The virtual AFS Global Conference hosted the worldwide launch of the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Global Competence Assessment and explored their implications for students, educators, policymakers and other education stakeholders (22-23 October 2020).
The AFS Global Citizenship Education Agenda
AFS prepares and activates global citizens of all ages and backgrounds—and we support a global movement to advance intercultural learning and global citizenship education, especially in schools, university and youth organizations.
Learning as a journey of change
Intercultural challenges and learning moments are inevitable parts of our everyday lives, our classrooms and public spaces.
To prepare people to engage effectively across cultural and other differences, we offer transformative learning journeys that are customized to students, families, volunteers, adults and communities.
Each AFS journey is designed around these six principles:
1. Learning as a journey of change
2. Goals-based curriculums + methods
3. Immersive experiences + structured learning
4. Non-formal learning environments
5. Experiential learning = enhanced learning
6. Learning for life + lifelong learning
AFS Student Intercultural Learning Journey & Curriculum
Universities and employers seek students and young adults who have a sense of the world beyond their own communities—and are comfortable interacting with people from other countries and cultures. Find out how our skills-building curriculum prepares young people to live, work and help make the world a better place at home or across the globe.
Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey & Curriculum
The AFS Host Family Program is now supported by the AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey. The Learning Journey helps families support their hosted students’ intercultural experience—and prepares family members to become global citizens.
Intercultural Learning Program for AFS Volunteers and Staff
The AFS Intercultural Link Learning Program helps our volunteers and staff improve their intercultural skills, teaches them about key education theories and practices, and makes them better able to support the learning of others.
Intercultural education reinforces 21st century education goals
We educate global citizens and the world leaders of tomorrow, and help them to:
Broaden perspectives
about themselves and the world around them
Learn and respect differences
and believe a diverse world is a stronger and more interesting place
Communicate and collaborate across cultures
in a sensitive and mindful way
Appreciate other cultures
and encourage others to be open to new ideas, attitudes and traditions
Build skills to use in STEM and other key areas
by using critical thinking and problem solving activities
Become part of the AFS global community
to build bridges across cultures and bring diverse communities together
AFS for Educators & Schools
Schools play an important role in the AFS student exchange experience. They send and host AFS students, and work with AFS to create school-based intercultural learning programs. AFS also collaborates with educators and education ministries to develop local, regional and national intercultural learning and global citizenship education policies and initiatives.
Effect+
AFS Effect+ Program are customizable, interactive workshops that introduce young people to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can work together to help advance these goals in their communities. The program also helps teens take their first steps to becoming active global citizens by including intercultural learning and discussions of global issues.
AFS Alliances & Partnerships
“There is a clear relevance of AFS’ work to the current programs and activities of UNESCO, particularly in the fields of education, youth, and intercultural dialogue. Indeed, cooperation between UNESCO and AFS has a solid foundation based on many areas of common interest, synergies and previous collaborations.”
—Irina Bokova, Director General, UNESCO
AFS & UNESCO
As of 2015, AFS is proud to have entered into a “consultative status” partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This status enables both organizations 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.
AFS Global Citizenship Education Agenda supports
UN Sustainable Development Goal #4
Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
Specifically, Goal #4 focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to promote “sustainable development” and “sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
Events for global citizens
We believe fostering intercultural learning is a powerful tool to bring diverse communities together and address conflicts and challenges. Be inspired by AFS intercultural learning events in COUNTRY and other communities around the world.
Resources and Good Reads
AFS Perspectives: Helping the world learn to live together
Written by AFS experts from around the world, this blog champions diverse perspectives about culture and education, inspiring readers to become intercultural leaders of their communities.
Connect: Intercultural Insights for Global Citizens
This digital magazine explores intercultural and global citizenship education, voluntarism and social impact, through articles, interviews, and learning tools created by respected thought leaders and experts.
Intercultural Learning (ICL) for AFS & Friends
Series of insightful and concise essays on key intercultural concepts based on research and practical experiences. The series is produced by AFS education experts for anyone studying about or working with intercultural topics.
AFS Exchange Program Research
AFS research efforts focus on achieving a deeper understanding of the impact of exchange programs, intercultural and experiential learning, often working in partnership with leading institutions and notable individuals.
The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I, 1914—1919
This Curriculum for secondary school educators takes a unique approach to volunteerism, intercultural competence and global citizenship education, since the volunteer efforts of young people during World War I until today.