AFS-USA Volunteers are encouraged to take Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence an online, interactive course that discusses intercultural concepts critical to our work; exploring cultural value dimensions and intercultural communication strategies it provides tools to understand differences, varying communication styles and tools to suspend judgement. 

Participants will interact with an international cohort of volunteers and staff via chat forums and live sessions and will receive a certificate at the conclusion. Taking this course will help you refresh your skills, support students and explore how we can expand our impact. The next cohort starts Nov 3, 2025. Click here to register and check ‘yes – I have approval from my national organization to take this training’. 

Additionally, for those who have taken Foundations and enjoy facilitating events with students and host families, consider enrolling in PEAK training. PEAK stands for Professional Education and Knowledge. This course develops core facilitation skills is a virtual program that provides transferable facilitation skills and ongoing professional development where participants obtain skills to facilitate dialogue that synthesizes and deepens learning in a variety of contexts for both virtual and in-person audiences. The next cohort starts Nov 2, 2025. Contact Martha at mfriend@afsusa.org if you are interested in registering for PEAK training and becoming an AFS qualified facilitator.