News you can use.
Thank you to everyone who joined the National Council Leadership Hosting Call. It was great to come together to discuss strategies for maintaining the momentum of the NH26 hosting placement cycle through early outreach and community engagement.
Congress decides the future of exchange programs – tell them to reject the proposed 68% cut.
Today is Founders’ Day! Join us in honoring our AFS Founders and the vision that brought this community to life.
Founders’ Day is coming up this Tuesday, April 7! Join us to honor our AFS Founders, whose commitment and foresight made AFS the incredible community it is today.
Volunteers like you are at the heart of AFS-USA, creating impact in your communities by fostering cross-cultural understanding, inspiring personal growth, and helping build a more just and peaceful world.
The AFS Hosting Advisory Group (Hosting AG), led by Sara Roberts, West Regional Director, and Heather Stertz, a volunteer from the World Flags Area Team, is a dynamic partnership uniting staff and volunteers across the country.
The temporary policy restricting all international travel during a student’s program will be lifted effective April 6, 2026.
AFS-USA recently announced our Domestic Pilot Programs for Summer 2026. Check out this article to learn more about these exciting opportunities and how students can apply!
In summer 2026, AFS-USA will launch three one-week domestic pilot programs for youth ages 15–17, bringing our educational model – reflection, dialogue, identity awareness, and cultural agility – to immersive, place-based experiences across the U.S.
Effective immediately, AFS students may travel with their host families to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These destinations will now be treated as domestic travel under our program guidelines.