It is hard to believe that another year has gone by! This year, AFS Area Teams worked with the staff of the Study Abroad Experiences and Operations Department to successfully facilitate the start of 566 AFS experiences! In a world that continues to be in urgent need of greater numbers of globally minded youth, our work represents an important investment in the future of our country, and the world!

2019 Statistics:

• 550 participants participated on an AFS flagship program (Year, Semester, Summer, Global Prep)
  • Year: 194
  • Semester: 90
  • Summer: 137
  • Global Prep: 129
  • Of these students, 93 were recipients of a Faces of America scholarships.
• 16 US students participated in the BP Global STEM Academies in Egypt and Brazil.
• 19 people (so far this year) have participated on AFSNext programs.
• In total, AFS-USA send 550 participants on flagship, non-grant sponsored programs to promote the AFS mission.

Volunteer Impact

• Volunteers conducted over 560 interviews for sending participants.
• Volunteers facilitated 68 pre-departure orientations in their teams.
• Volunteers played a critical role in assisting with Faces of America interviews and the support of these applicants.

Without the support and work of our local volunteers, we would not be able to provide these types of life-changing experiences for young people. This is abundantly clear through the words of our participants as they prepared to depart for their programs:

“AFS really is so world-wide and expansive. It was great to meet all of these students and know that we will be carrying on the AFS mission all around the world this year!”

“An opportunity for me to share my culture and more learn about somebody else’s and to then later apply the skills I learned in the program to my daily life and future.”

“I see this as both a personal journey of growth and learning and a part of my duty as a citizen of the world to foster peace and friendship through my daily actions.” 

“We are representing more than just ourselves and the way we act and engage this next year can change people’s views of America but can also change our mindset.”

 “We are representatives of the US and AFS which has had a world-wide reputation that has lasted over one hundred years. We need to work hard even when it’s difficult and be the best global citizens we can be both during our time on program and after. If we do this, we will make the most of our experience to ensure that AFS is around for years to come.”

We believe that what we do is critically important to our country, and our world. When AFS participants return to the US, they return as global citizens who have the capacity to learn, grow, and love people who are different from themselves. This alone is such an important quality for the young people in our country to have. We thank you for all your hard work in helping us to send these young people abroad. Our work would not be possible without you. Here is to an even more successful 2020!