A number of years ago, AFS-USA became a founding member of the new AFS consortium of organizations promoting programs for those aged 18 and above. We were particularly eager to better accommodate students that couldn’t participate on the YP program due to their age. As such, we established our new line of 18+ programming, branded as AFSNext.
Since then, we’ve invested significant resources of time and money into our AFSNext portfolio of programs. Numerous staff members have participated in AFSNext promotion, customer care, quality assurance, and so many additional aspects of offering such programs. In addition to promotion of the programs by staff, a number of Area Teams also invested in the promotion of AFSNext programs.
Despite such passion and dedication toward seeing AFSNext grow, we have not been able to break into the 18+ market at the level that we expected. In the simplest of terms, our participant numbers haven’t reached a level at which they cover our costs.
After much review, discussion, and conversation, and in consultation with the AFS-USA Board of Directors, the very difficult decision was made to close our AFSNext operation once the last participants have returned home. This includes the Community College Program.
Going forward, we will provide full and uninterrupted service to all current AFSNext applicants and participants. Also, we will continue to offer the a number of 18+ programs delivered by AFS organizations, such as the Folk College Program offered by AFS Denmark and the Teach in China Programs offered by AFS China. We will honor all arriving Community College participants for NH19.
In the end, we’re convinced that we gave AFSNext an excellent level of time, effort, skill, and funding but that, in the end, we’ve been up against a very crowded market that had no room for yet another program vendor.
We are grateful to all of the many volunteers and staff whose dedication to the success of AFSNext/Community College made this such a positive endeavor!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Melvin Harmon
Sr. Director, Customer Experience, Participant Support, and Program Innovation