Become a Certified Global Changemaker

AFS students are equipped to become Global Changemakers. The Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact course gives you the chance to practice social impact by developing your own capstone project. You’ll develop an idea to change the world, receive feedback from a committee of experts, and earn a certificate issued by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice.

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Get recognition from a world class university

AFS partnered with the University of Pennsylvania to offer you this course because we know young people can change the world for the better. We’ve combined AFS’s 75+ years of experience in intercultural learning with the Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania’s expertise in social innovation and social impact to create this unique online program.

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Learn how to develop your own Social Impact Project

This certificate course is an optional additional track interested students taking part in semester and year AFS High School Study Abroad Programs can add to their experience. If you choose to add this certificate course, in addition to the AFS Student Learning Journey that participants experience, you will also:

Test your social impact project prototype in the real world
Get feedback from users
Learn about Storytelling
Develop a personal and a public narrative about your project
Record a Capstone Project video to submit to an official committee of evaluators
Interact with peers and their projects from around the world
Be assessed, receive feedback
And, if you meet all criteria, earn a certificate from AFS and the Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania

The advanced certificate is your chance to go deeper into social impact and make a difference wherever you are in the world.

What are AFS students saying about the Advanced Certificate?

Do I have to pay extra?

Taking the certificate course has an additional cost of USD $245.

This unlocks access to six additional online modules and two additional virtual live sessions with our expert facilitators. It also covers the certification for the Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact from AFS and the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of Pennsylvania.

Discover the capstone presentation that students created during their programs.

If you want to keep watching videos of other capstone presentations, click here!

Experience the world

During your AFS High School Study Abroad Program you will have the opportunity to create connections and work towards developing superpowers that are going to help you to explore the world around you.

Learn global skills

You may develop global skills and knowledge that are essential to stand-out in an increasingly connected world.

Create change

Think globally. Become an Active Global Citizen. Develop your Social Impact Project and change the world.

Information for parents

Help your teen unleash their creativity, develop a social impact project and become an AFS Changemaker. If all requirements are successfully met, your teen will receive the Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact from AFS and the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

This is an extra course that your child can take if interested in learning more about social impact and developing their own social impact project while studying abroad during the AFS exchange program.

AFS has been transforming lives and developing active global citizens through our intercultural programs for over 75 years. The University of Pennsylvania is a leading global educational institution.

When you successfully complete the program requirements, you’ll receive the Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact from AFS and the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

How long is the additional coursework?

Students traveling with AFS will be able to take part in the AFS Student Learning Journey. This Advanced optional course includes six additional modules and two additional virtual live sessions during your AFS exchange. It will take around 12 hours to complete the additional modules during your program. In the additional facilitated virtual live sessions you will have the opportunity to connect with peers⁠ — guided by trained Social Impact Facilitators—from all around the world to exchange ideas and share your project.

What do I need to participate in this online course?

In addition to your creativity and desire to make an impact in the world, you will need:

A computer, smartphone or other digital device to access the program content and forum.
An integrated webcam and mic for taking part in the online live sessions
A stable internet (wifi) connection.
Ability to record a final 3-5 minute video presentation (can be done on your phone or computer).
An advanced written & verbal understanding of English language.

Do I need to understand or speak English?

Do I get a certificate?

What do I need to accomplish in order to get the certificate?

To earn your certificate you must:

Attend all virtual live sessions on Zoom with peers from around the world.
Successfully complete all modules and activities in the online learning platform, including quizzes (you can retake the quizzes as many times as you need to achieve your goal—we want you to learn!).
Successfully complete a social impact project prototype which you will design and get feedback on.

Does this additional coursework have a cost?

The additional option costs USD $245 for students taking part in a semester or year AFS High School Study Abroad Program. If you are not going on an AFS program you can check out our virtual program offer – AFS Global You Changemaker. The fee includes:

The six additional online modules that you can do at your own pace,
Live virtual sessions where you meet other teens who are Global Changemakers in real-time
Online forum to exchange ideas with your peers worldwide,
AFS Qualified Facilitator guiding your learning,
Validators from the Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice who will approve your Social Impact Project,
If you successfully complete the program, your own Advanced Certificate on Global Citizenship for Social Impact issued by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice.

How can I pay for the course?

Who can be part of this online course?

Will I get academic credit hours?

Register Now!

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Add an Advanced Certificate to your AFS Student Learning Journey

Students participating in an AFS program can now choose to add on an Advanced Certificate course in Global Citizenship for Social Impact from University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS).