AFS Intercultural Programs
The world needs more Active Global Citizens. AFS helps to create them.
IMPORTANT: Each AFS member organization is an independent legal entity separate from AFS International and it is not a legal affiliate thereof. Each AFS member organization respects and abides by relevant national and local laws governing their operations.
06/24/2026
What does true Global Citizenship look like in action?
Congratulations to the students and teachers at IFRS - Campus Bento Gonçalves (Brazil), who earned an Honorable Mention in this year’s Sir Cyril Taylor Young Leaders Award. Out of 57 projects from 14 countries, their initiative was selected as one of the top four globally within our Effect+ for the Classroom program.
The team developed a real-time public transit tracking app concept for their city. Their field research highlighted a clear local need: while 73% of citizens struggle to find reliable bus schedules, 92% said they would use public transit more if the information were easily accessible.
By making public transit a more viable option than private cars, the project directly supports UN SDGs 9 (Innovation & Infrastructure) and 11 (Sustainable Cities). Moving beyond theory, the students have already submitted their proposal to the Bento Gonçalves City Hall to help drive real civic change.
This project is a fantastic example of what happens when young people apply global citizenship tools to practical, local challenges. Well done to the entire team!
We are incredibly grateful to the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (CTCF) for their generous support and commitment to empowering the next generation of global changemakers.
Read the full article: https://ifrs.edu.br/bento/ifrs-campus-bento-goncalves-conquista-mencao-honrosa-em-premiacao-internacional-de-lideranca-jovem/
06/23/2026
200 Full STEM Scholarships Available Worldwide for Students Aged 15–20
AFS is offering full scholarships for the 2026 Global STEM Changemakers program, an award-winning virtual exchange designed for young people who are passionate about STEM, sustainability, and creating positive change.
✨ Collaborate with peers from around the world
🎓 Earn an Advanced Certificate from AFS & Penn CSIS
💡 Develop solutions to real-world challenges, from climate action to AI
🌎 Join a global network of changemakers, mentors, and alumni
The 12-week program will help you build leadership, global competence, and social impact skills while connecting with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
⏰ Applications close August 2, 2026.
👉 Apply now: afs.org/global-stem/changemakers
This is a perfect example of how our students get deeply involved in their host communities and actively participate in local civic life! 🌍
We are incredibly proud of Río, an exchange student who has been leaving a real mark on his host community.
Over the past few months, Río has been actively participating in the CAI (Child-Friendly Cities) in Puerto del Rosario - the capital city of Fuerteventura in Canary Islands. This amazing initiative empowers youth to propose real changes to the City Council - such as the impressive anti-harassment protocol for local sports facilities that the students recently developed!
A few days ago, Río's dedication was recognized with an award at the town's plenary meeting.
Let's give a massive round of applause to Río for being a true global citizen! 👏👏👏
Video credits: Ayuntamiento Pto. del Rosario
Some stories cross time and borders. ✈️
32 years ago, a host father in Denmark opened his home to Pablo, an exchange student from Argentina. Today, Pablo is a dedicated AFSer and board member.
Fast forward to today, and that bond remains completely unbroken. His host dad recently traveled to Argentina to explore the country right by his side.
Because when you share your culture, your time, and your life, what grows goes far beyond a simple exchange program. ❤️
You build a family.
Thank you AFS Argentina and AFS Uruguay for this amazing video!
06/17/2026
The June AFS Now Newsletter is OUT! 🗞️
Highlights:
💪Launching 250 new Global STEM scholarships
🎓 Over 600 educators unite at NAFSA 2026 to shape the future of global education
🤝 AFS Philippines receives national recognition from the Department of Education
Register the newsletter & see what’s happening in the AFS world: afs.org/afs-now/ -nav-sign-up
06/16/2026
We just hosted our 11th Global Student Meetup (Round 2), and the excitement is real! ✨
Before these incredible high school exchange students embark on their study abroad journeys between July and September, they jumped online for the ultimate pre-departure link-up.
This isn't just your standard orientation. It gave our upcoming exchange cohort the perfect chance to:
👋 Connect Globally: Meet peers from all corners of the earth who are in the exact same boat.
🧠 Prepare Mentally: Trade tips, calm those pre-flight nerves, and get ready for the life-changing months ahead.
The bags are being packed, and the countdown is officially ON! 🎒⏳
Wishing our amazing students the best of luck as they step into this next great adventure.
Mario and Marco from Costa Rica decided to open their home and their hearts to host an AFS student.
Their story is a reminder that love and acceptance know no boundaries, and that a little bit of kindness and compassion can go a long way in creating a better world.
Mario and Marco’s journey as a host family is a testament to the power of the AFS effect.
Learn more about hosting an AFS student at afs.org/host-an-afser/
06/12/2026
Got ideas? Make them happen! Your ideas can truly change the world.
Join us in Global You Changemaker and learn how to develop your own innovative social impact project and solve some of today’s biggest global challenges.
Global You Changemaker is a 12-week online certificate program where participants explore global citizenship, social impact, design thinking, and creative tools for social innovation.
Upon program completion, scholars will earn the Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact from AFS and the University of Pennsylvania CSIS.
Spots available for July, August, September, October and November.
Don’t miss out!
Apply at afs.org/changemaker
When you open your door to a student, you don't just share your home, you expand your family. 🌍💙
From learning about new cultures to finding a new daughter, son, or sibling, becoming an AFS Global Family is a journey that changes everyone involved forever.
The best way to understand it? To live it!
06/09/2026
This weekend, we celebrated the close of the 2025–2026 AFS Effect+ for the Classroom program!
Over the last six years, this initiative has provided full scholarships for 1,650 teachers and reached nearly 247,500 students.
The culmination of the program was the 2026 Sir Cyril Taylor Young Leaders Awards, where students designed local solutions to global sustainability challenges.
A special congratulations to our grand prize winner, the SEED project from Surabaya, Indonesia, and our honorable mentions from the Philippines, Ghana, and Brazil!
This work would not be possible without the generous support of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (CTCF). Thank you for helping us equip the next generation of changemakers!
Read the full story on our website to see how these students are changing the world: afs.org/2026/06/09/afs-effect-global-impact/
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