We’re glad you’re considering becoming an AFS-USA volunteer! Volunteers are at the heart of our mission, helping create meaningful experiences for young people in the U.S. and around the world. Registration can take less than two hours and includes the following steps.
The AFS-USA Volunteer Registration Process
Volunteering with AFS-USA is a chance to connect with people from around the world, make a meaningful difference, and be part of a global community.
1. Tell Us About You
Tell us a little more about you, how you’d like to contribute to the AFS-USA mission, and how we can get in touch with you. This helps us learn about your interests and connect you with volunteer opportunities that fit your goals and availability.
You can start the application at any time. If you have questions prior to starting an application or during the application process, please reach out to [email protected].
2. Take the New Volunteer Orientation
Take a virtual trip to explore what it means to be an AFS-USA volunteer. In this short online training, you’ll learn about AFS-USA’s history, mission, values, volunteer opportunities, exchange programs, and organizational structure. The orientation is required for all first-time volunteers and can help you decide if AFS-USA is the right fit for you.
3. Connect With An AFS Representative
Once you’ve shared more about yourself, an AFS volunteer or staff member will reach out to learn more about your interests, get to know you, and explore ways you can get involved in local events and activities. These conversations typically take 15–30 minutes.
4. Complete Required Forms
Complete a quick series of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions, which are asked as a U.S. Department of State requirement (learn more about AFS-USA Accreditation). AFS-USA reviews this information in addition to your criminal background check to determine fit for volunteer roles.
5. Provide References
We ask that you provide contact information for at least three people who can provide a reference, which is asked as a U.S. Department of State requirement.
Email addresses and phone numbers are required for your references, as AFS sends them a short online reference form and may call if they don’t respond by email. References cannot be relatives, current or former significant others, or current roommates.
6. Sign the AFS-USA Volunteer Agreement
Learn more about what is expected of you as an AFS volunteer and what you can expect from AFS-USA. The volunteer agreement provides an outline of the rules and regulations by which each AFS staff member and volunteer follow. After review, you’ll need to provide an ‘E-signature’ which is located at the bottom of the form to indicate that you agree.
7. Complete a Criminal Background Check
Once all of the steps have been completed in the volunteer registration process and your information has been reviewed by staff, you’ll receive an email confirming that you’re a registered AFS-USA Volunteer! You’ll then be provided with a roadmap, resources, and support to help you become an active volunteer.
8. Become a Trained Volunteer
As a confirmed volunteer, you’ll need to complete two trainings that will help you learn about how to work with exchange students and what the U.S. Department of State expects. Each online training takes about one hour.
As a trained volunteer, you are ready to meet and engage with hosted students and families, collaborate with other volunteers about team plans and events, and more. Your AFS-USA Volunteer Journey Starts here!
If you are interested in additional training opportunities for different roles, you’ll have access to those inside our volunteer community.
What if I’m not hearing from someone locally or my application is stuck on a step?
Reach out to [email protected] for more information or to get connected.