Building U.S.-Based Programs — No Passport Required

FAQs for Volunteers Hosting (or Considering Hosting) U.S.-based Programs

This FAQ explains why AFS-USA is developing U.S.-based programs for U.S. participants, what volunteers can expect, and how interested teams can help design and host pilot programs.

In 2026, AFS-USA launched the Innovation Team to develop new program models and prototypes in an effort to expand the impact of our mission, ensure that AFS stays relevant and sustainable in the United States, and foster an innovative, inspiring environment in the organization. The first area of focus is on reviving and redesigning domestic activities, including exchanges, programming, and advisory services.

Join us as we expand AFS-USA program offerings here in the United States. As an essential part of the AFS-USA community, volunteers bring the perspective, local knowledge, and practical experience that make AFS programming successful.

Together, let’s create new opportunities that continue to build bridges for our future leaders.

Q: AFS is a leader in Study Abroad Programs. Why is AFS-USA expanding its offerings to include U.S.-based programs?

A: AFS-USA provides opportunities for intercultural exchange that develop the global competence needed to create a more just and peaceful world. “Culture” is a concept that transcends national borders. That’s why AFS-USA believes today’s polarization and shifting social and political landscape make our shared work and mission even more essential. Our programs offer transformative, life-changing experiences through travel learning and intercultural activities. Adding U.S.-based programs strengthens our reach and provides:

Alternatives to programming that still gives US youth the chance to engage in dialogue and make connections with communities and peers with perspectives from their own;
Opportunities for US youth to experience short-term programs and intercultural activities that build power skills such as adaptability, communication, and conflict resolution);
A pathway for AFS-USA staff and volunteers to explore and design new programs that will help support a more sustainable future for our organization.

Q: Who Participates in AFS-USA Domestic Programs?

A: AFS-USA domestic pilot programs have focused on youth residing anywhere in the U.S., between 15-18 years of age. Scholarships are a major focus in order to ensure that these programs are as inclusive as possible. Future domestic programs may be designed to reach other age groups. The goal is to increase engagement with the many stories and experiences within the country and within each region. Participants leave each program with greater awareness of the impact of their own experiences and backgrounds, those of their fellow participants, and a new perspective on their own communities. One participant reported, “I’ve learned more about different cultures, helping me understand the cultural significance and importance to, not only an individual, but a community as a whole.” Another participant observed that the program, “…makes me think that I want to travel more outside of my home and makes me wonder more about my own city.”

Q: What are we looking for?

A: We are looking for new and seasoned volunteers who are excited to explore and co-design pilot programs with the Innovation Team. These programs will be delivered in collaboration with AFS-USA staff. Volunteers play a special role: you are on the ground, you know what works in your local communities, and your vision and guidance are key to success.

Does this sound like you?

a longtime AFS volunteer inspired by the peace-building element of our Mission who sees the value in expanding the way we achieve it?
part of an Area Team looking for something new and has the bandwidth and enthusiasm to collaborate on with the Innovation Team while building relationships within your community?
a volunteer who loves what you’ve been doing with AFS but is ready for a new challenge?
a new volunteer or alum who is looking for a new role outside of the traditional Area Team positions?
someone who has organized cultural events in your community, or has a special interest, skill, or career that you would like to share with others?

In order to successfully implement a domestic homestay program, there needs to be a group of volunteers (at least 5-10) within a region or area team committed to collaborating with staff to run the program. If you or your Area Team would like to host a program in your area, or lay the groundwork to host one in the future, please contact [email protected].

Q: What are U.S.-based pilot programs at AFS-USA?

A: US-based programs typically run one to three weeks, but can also be shorter or longer depending on theme and audience. Programs include a small number of participants, typically between 5-20, depending on the type of program and program destination. Programs focus on compelling themes or destinations that highlight the unique strengths, history, and culture of the program site. While AFS has conducted direct, chapter-to-chapter exchanges in the past and may do so again, today’s pilot programs are marketed widely to U.S. students alongside study abroad opportunities. In the future, AFS-USA hopes to have a number of programs designed across the country so that area teams can alternate offerings every 2-3 years.

Because these programs are generally shorter in duration than a typical, multi-month exchange, program design focuses on intercultural learning concepts and skills that are the hallmarks of AFS programs, including conflict resolution, changemaking, dialogue through difference, communication, flexibility and adaptability, and critical thinking. Program designers link these ‘power skills’ to thematic content and facilitated dialogue among participants, host families, and beyond, throughout the week. This intentional focus on mission-oriented learning and growth, as well as our dedicated volunteer network, create immersive, community-oriented settings–these qualities set us apart from other camps or travel opportunities for youth.

Q: How is a domestic program set up?

A: Volunteers, staff, and other collaborators/subject matter experts work together to create the best program with a thoughtful and intentional mix of AFS-USA workshops, theme-based excursions and activities, and an impact project. Generally speaking, program designers aim to include the following elements in a domestic program schedule.

Pre-trip engagement/orientation for participants and host families
Welcome event with facilitated orientation
City/town history and physical orientation to area, resources, and transportation
Host family time – unstructured or with optional activities
Theme-based excursions or activities, (1-2 per day) such as interactive tours or visits to historically or culturally significant places, expert-led workshops, discussions with community members
Daily reflection and discussion time
AFS intercultural learning workshops
A fun or leisure activity with a local flavor (for example: beach, hike, amusement park, shopping, etc.)
Meals, with a couple that highlight local cuisine
Service project
Impact project (capstone) to tie the week together
Closing event and group celebration

Click here to see an example: 2026 The Table We Share: Chicago Participant Agenda

Q: Are all programs host family-based?

A: AFS-USA has designed a variety of pilot models, including host family programs and dormitory or other similar group living arrangements. Host families provide an important element of community integration, so AFS plans to continue offering a mix of host family-based and dormitory-style options. We encourage innovative thinking and welcome program concepts involving a variety of accommodation types.

Q: Do US-based programs align with the AFS-USA Mission? How?

Our Mission

AFS-USA empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.

A: Yes, US-based programs align with AFS-USA’s Mission. While we often link “intercultural experiences” to a traditional international exchange, domestic exchanges offer the same immersion experience of international study.

US programming can:

- encourage your team to look at your local community through a different lens and rediscover the place you call home. Dispel misconceptions, share local traditions, landmarks, and even family routines – all this highlights the unique culture of your own community.

broaden the definition and impact of how we typically think about culture and intercultural learning. The United States is a diverse and varied nation, and we see this within and among our own communities. Digging deeper into what’s in our own background can help provide youth with the building blocks to be more active AFSers here and abroad.

increase opportunities for US youth to have access to experiences that can help build and support a global mindset.
give your team a way to engage families who are unsure about hosting for a full academic year by offering them a chance to experience hosting through a short summer program first. A short summer program lets them experience hosting firsthand, and families who have a good experience are far more likely to consider a long-term placement. Over time, that means a larger pool of host families for all of our programs.
inspire US youth to Study Abroad, create an AFS-USA club at school, host a student, or become a youth volunteer. The possibilities are endless.
inspire families to host a international student for a full year, to volunteer, or to encourage their children, friends, and relatives, to participate in an AFS experience.

Whether abroad or facilitated in the USA, US-based programs will continue to foster empathy and build practical power skills such as collaboration, communication, adaptability, and conflict resolution. All skills that the AFS community shares to create a more just and peaceful world.

All our work—and the work of our international partners within their own countries—connects youth across differences and brings them closer to becoming active, engaged citizens.

Q: I’m interested, but what is the commitment and workload like?

A: The lift of designing and hosting a domestic program is intended to be collaborative, drawing on each individual’s interests and strengths.

Specific tasks and leadership roles will be allocated to each member of the planning team at the initial meetings with the aim of ensuring that no one is overburdened. Each program will have volunteer and staff leads/co-leads, and those individuals will help streamline communication and allocate tasks between meetings. Most volunteers reported spending between six to twenty hours outside of the program itself, in addition to monthly or biweekly check-ins with the planning team.

The first step is a planning meeting, when the staff and volunteer leads will establish a timeline, brainstorm program activities and themes, select dates, and begin to map out schedules and responsibilities. This meeting should occur as soon as the team has confirmed interest in hosting a program. Depending on the project timeline, planning meetings will be held biweekly or monthly up to program delivery. Each Area Team organizes its work a bit differently, so one subject of conversation at the early meetings will be to establish how to divide labor and deliver the program in a way that feels manageable for everyone involved.

Ideally, a rough timeline for a one-to-two-week summer program delivery is:

August – October: Team confirms interest and holds kickoff meeting. Program dates, theme, and general structure established.
October: Application and materials created; recruitment begins.
November – March: Planning continues; venues reserved, staff scoping visit, itinerary walkthrough
January – May: Host family recruiting and vetting (if relevant)
April: Scholarship Deadline; selectees confirmed
May: Application Deadline; participants confirmed, host family matching begins (if relevant)
June: Host family matching concludes, students and host families put in content (if relevant);
June-August: Program delivery! Collect photos, videos, and testimonials for promotional purposes and program improvement
August-September: Volunteer and collaborator debriefs, After Actions

These are pilot programs, which means they include an element of experimentation to determine what works. Flexibility, creativity, and optimism are important elements as we navigate these pilot programs together.

General Program Tasks

(Note: tasks are subject to change based on the program; and most are completed collaboratively between volunteer and staff coordinators.)

	AFS-USA Staff	Area Team VOL	ALL
Overall/Pre-Program
Volunteer Project Manager/Co-Lead		X
Staff Project Manager/Co-Lead	X
Outreach/Recruitment			X
Participant Application Review	X
Host Family Application Review	X
Host Family Recruitment and Vetting		X
Pre-Program Virtual Orientation	X
Logistics
Secure on-the-ground local theme-related excursion and activities			X
Travel Arrangement Support for Participants	X
On-the-ground Transportation			X
Plan Group Dinner		X
Pay for Program Expenses	X
Support volunteers in tracking individual costs and submitting for reimbursement		X
Program Design and Facilitation
Design AFS-USA Workshops and Impact Project Planning	X
Facilitate AFS-USA Workshops	X		(X)
Attend entire program as primary facilitator	X
Attend Select Days/Program Activities as Chaperone or Guide		X
Welcome and Arrival Orientation			X
Facilitation of on program reflection activities			X
Lead Group AFS Debrief, Final Presentations, and Program Evaluation Sessions	X
Closing Ceremonies			X
Communication and Marketing
Communication to Host Families		X
Communication to Participants	X
Create promotional materials and website	X

For more information visit the Innovation Hub or contact [email protected].

For Summer 2027 U.S. Domestic Pilot Programs, visit www.afsusa.org/domestic-programs

[pending updates]