The AFS-USA Study Abroad Staff team hopes that you all had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!
We just wanted to send out a few updates:
SH program recruitment is now closed. We are still finalizing some applications so you may receive information about an applicant needing an interview! Otherwise, we are now working to prepare those applicants for their programs which will begin to depart in January with ongoing departures until the end of March.
Our NH program recruitment is in full swing! All Year, Semester, and Summer programs are available on our website, and you can read program descriptions on the program pages! We also anticipate adding one more summer program to our portfolio in the coming weeks. See the currently available summer programs here!
We have seen an increase in the number of applications created so we are hopeful that we will have a successful recruitment cycle! If you are talking with any applicants interested in Fall departing 2023 programs, we would ask that you encourage them to get started on the application process right away. Programs do fill on a first come, first served basis.
Remember that you can always use the Study Abroad Programs and Pipeline Report to help navigate how program recruitment is going and which programs are available! A link to this report is at the top of the Study Abroad widget!
Use these Promo Codes to help encourage applicants and parents to move forward:
AFSVolunteer– $100 off Application Fee for applicant with connection to an AFS Volunteer
AFSFamily- $100 off Application Fee for applicant who is a member of a previous host family, or is related to an AFS Returnee
AFSNow- $50 off Application Fee for applicant referred by Volunteer or Staff
AFS75- $75 off the Application Fee in honor of AFS celebrating 75 years!
AFS Global STEM Academies
Interested in promoting full-scholarship programs this summer? Read more, below!
AFS is once again excited to announce the launch of our AFS Global STEM Changemaker Initiative programs for the summer of 2023! Funded by bp, this full-scholarship initiative will provide 5,000 young people from around the world with immersive learning experiences through sustainability-focused intercultural exchange programs over five years.
AFS will select young scholars to participate in one of three distinct, full scholarship programs:
AFS Global STEM Academies, which combine digital and in-person learning, gather diverse young people aged 15 to 17.5 from more than 18 countries worldwide in global cohorts. The 2023 in-person Academies are scheduled to be held in Brazil, China, Egypt, Europe (Netherlands & Germany), India, and the USA during July and August, where scholars will enrich their sustainability knowledge, STEM skills, and collaborate on real-world case studies in each market. Applications for the Global STEM Academies are now open! Click here to apply!
AFS Global STEM Accelerators, which are virtual interactive workshops for young women around the world between the ages of 15 and 17.5, with a focus on critical STEM skills and fields, global competence education, and social impact – empowering girls to become changemakers in their communities. Applications for the Accelerators program will open on February 1, 2023. Click here to learn more!
AFS Global STEM Innovators, for young people aged 14 to 16, begins with a virtual global competence education program, and culminates with an in-person workshop focusing on STEM, global competence, sustainability, and local impact. This program is only available for participants residing in Australia, Indonesia, or the United Kingdom. The 2023 workshops are scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia; Cairo, Egypt; and Jakarta, Indonesia. Applications for the Innovators program are not open yet. Click here for more details!
Young scholars participating in the programs will develop the critical technical competencies needed to work in and advance a low-carbon energy system, including digital skills, design thinking, data science, and wider STEM awareness, while also increasing their global awareness and understanding of the need for a sustainable and equitable energy future. The AFS Global STEM Changemaker Initiative is also designed to empower underrepresented communities, especially young women, with pathways to STEM education, leadership, and social impact. Visit https://afs.org/global-stem/ to learn more about the initiative!
*Applications for summer 2023 AFS Global STEM Academies are now being accepted and have a deadline of January 8, 2023. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit https://www.afsusa.org/afs-global-stem-academies/.
Questions? Please email us at: STEMChangemakers@afsusa.org
Thinking about ways to engage recent returnees? We are working on making a few changes to MyAFS to make it easier for volunteers to keep track of recent returnees in their areas and keep them engaged with their team. We have also enabled a few auto-emails that go out to returnees once they are home, and we are encouraging returnees to stay engaged by volunteering! Our Orientations team has also put together some useful resources available to teams that can hold Re-Entry Orientations for their recently returned participants! Please find those resources in this MyAFS News article.
The Study Abroad Advisory Group is looking for volunteers from across the country who are interested in AFS’s study abroad programming and willing to work to make it better! This is an opportunity to be a part of building a new relationship with staff and volunteers across the country and developing new and fun ways for volunteers to engage with our study abroad applicants.
Here are some of our expectations for participation:
- Passion for Study Abroad programs and Returnee programming
- Interest in study abroad applicants and processes
- Participate in our monthly virtual meeting (usually in the evening)
- Regular correspondence by phone and email
- Commitment to moving projects forward, being action oriented
- Be willing to think outside of the box and bring positivity and creativity to the group!
For more information about our group and to submit an inquiry, click here!
Questions? Please contact the Study Abroad Advisory Group Co-Chairs:
- Jessica Robinson, Volunteer Dallas Area Team- jessica.br.robinson@gmail.com
- Caitlin Schneider, Senior Director of Study Abroad- cschneider@afsusa.org
As always, thank you for all you do!
The AFS-USA Study Abroad Team
Erin, Jennifer, Parker, Grace, Adriana, and Caitlin