Non-Verbal Communication
Overview: This lesson plan is designed for students to consider the many ways in which people communicate non-verbally, identify their own preferences, and begin to think about the importance of…
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Active Listening
Active Listening Lesson Plan Overview: Effective communication requires an understanding that not everyone prefers to communicate in the same way. It also requires a person to be an active observer/listener.…
Learning Styles
Overview: Use this lesson plan to gauge student learning preferences in the classroom, and help students become more aware of the strengths and challenges of each style. Activity (Methodology): Self-Inventory…
Identity Flower
Overview: In this lesson students will be prompted to think deeply about the various elements of their individual identity. Using the identity flower model as a guide, students will explore…
The Hidden Ways in Which Culture Differs
Overview: This lesson introduces students to the concept of culture. Using the iceberg model as a guide, students will be challenged to look inward and reflect on how their own…
The Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Overview: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the course of history and have had a significant long term effects on the victims. Students will get the opportunity to…
Taking Action for the Environment
Overview: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) declared June 5 as World Environmental Day in order to create awareness on issues surrounding the planet, encouraging citizens to take global action. The purpose…
The Potato Activity
Goal: To help youth eliminate stereotypes and to recognize the uniqueness of each individual Time: 20-30 minutes Materials: A brown paper bag, one potato for each student in the class,…
Where do you Stand
Overview: People’s values, norms and assumptions can often influence and explain their behaviors. This activity offers the opportunity to self-reflect on one’s own values and how these are reflected in…
Conflict Styles
Overview: Use this lesson plan to gauge students’ preferred conflict styles (based on the Thomas-Kilman Model) and open a discussion around how this knowledge might be used to help navigate…
I Am…
Overview: Use this lesson plan to gauge students’ individual tendencies and prompt rich discussion on how cultural tendencies in societies are reflected in the ways that people describe themselves. Activity…
Microfinance: A Poverty-Fighting Tool
Overview: In September 2000 society’s attention was drawn to certain social and economic issues impacting us on a global scale through the development of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals (MDG).…
I have a dream
Overview: Dr. Martin Luther King is known to many as one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. His passion and enthusiasm for social justice and equality…
Stereotypes and Generalizations
Overview: Use this lesson plan to help students distinguish the difference between stereotypes and generalizations, explore stereotypes that they may hold about others, and practice how converting stereotypes into generalizations…
Fostering Cultural Diplomacy in the Classroom
Overview: The purpose of this activity is to expose students to the important benefits of cultural diplomacy during International Education Week, as a way to foster mutual understanding, empathy and respect…
Exploring Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Overview: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees defines a refugee as person who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality,…
Exploring Islamic Traditions: Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr
Overview of Islamic Culture & Muslim Traditions Lesson Plan Each year, Muslims from across the globe take part in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr marking the official end of Ramadan.…
Examining Humanitarianism
Overview: The United Nations declared August 19 as World Humanitarian Day, as a way to commemorate the 2003 bombing of the U.N in Baghdad, Iraq, as well as a way to…
Examining Current Social Movements
Overview: Beth Simone Noveck, former United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer, once stated, “In the 21st Century, you have to use technology as one of the tools in the toolkit…
Education for All #BringBackOurGirls
Overview: Several countries have banded together in order to promote gender equality in education with the goal of eradicating gender disparity in the classroom. Even still, there are several social,…
Exploring Cultural Values
Goal: Exploring what students consider to be typical U.S. cultural values while comparing them to their perceptions. Objectives: Students will be able to: Become aware of what are considered typical…
Cultural Influence on Judgments
Overview: Use this lesson to help students become more aware of their own culture and recognize its influence on their thoughts, behaviors, and how they view the world. Activity (Methodology):…
Connect the Dots
Overview: In this lesson students will explore the notion of how people often subconsciously limit their perspective. By engaging in a short puzzle task students will be challenged to think…
Keith Stock
Chair Keith Stock U.S. to Panama, 1969 Keith Stock is an international strategist and private markets investment manager in his roles as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial…
Co-Chair John T. Colas
Co-Chair John T. Colas U.S. to Belgium, 1979-80 John T. Colas serves as Partner and Vice Chairman of Oliver Wyman Financial Services Americas. He has worked in each of the…
Richard Engel
Richard Engel U.S. to Italy, 1990-91 Richard Engel serves as NBC News’s chief foreign correspondent. He previously served as the network’s Middle East correspondent and Beirut Bureau chief. Engel was…
Carson Gleberman
Carson Gleberman U.S. to Switzerland, 1976 Carson Gleberman has worked for McKinsey & Company, Citibank and The Viral Hepatitis & Liver Disease Foundation, and most recently served as the Executive…
Christine Plews
Christine Plews AFS Returnee, U.S. to Ecuador, SP 1969 Host Sibling, 1974-75 One World Area Team Volunteer, 2008-2010 AFS Host Family Teachers Exchange Program, 1984 Siri Saisang Thailand Hosting of…
Sarah Yancey
Chair | Volunteer, Host Family
Wim Wiewel
President, Lewis & Clark College Returnee – Netherlands to the U.S., 1968-69; Volunteer Wim Wiewel, who came from the Netherlands to the U.S. as an AFS student in 1968, is…
Jim Walker
AFS Host Parent, Volunteer, and Returnee – U.S. to Indonesia, 1987-88 Jim Walker is an AFS Returnee from the year program to Indonesia, 1987-88, and from a short summer program…
John Bacon
John Bacon Returnee – U.S. to Belgium, 1980-81 John spent his senior year of high school as an AFS student in Belgium, an experience that transformed him and continues to…
Matthew van Steenwyck
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Longbow Technology Ventures Sending Parent Matthew van Steenwyck, known as Matt, is the Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer for Longbow Technology Ventures, a…
Krishen Mehta
Senior Adviser, Tax Justice Network and Former Partner, PwC AFS Sending Parent and Returnee Krishen Mehta is a writer, teacher, and speaker on issues of global tax justice. Prior to…
Debra Maly
Speech Pathologist Chair of the National Council; Host Parent Debra Maly, known as Deb, is the Chair of AFS-USA’s volunteer representative body, the National Council. Deb became involved with AFS…
Emre Evren
Senior Consultant, The Hartford Financial Services Returnee – Turkey to the U.S., 1984-85 Emre Evren joined the AFS-USA National Council in 2013. He is an AFS Returnee from Turkey to…
Diana Deem
Secretary | Host Parent; Sending Parent
Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President of Trinity College | Host Parent; Sending Parent
Robert Stableski
Treasurer | Volunteer
Marlene Baker
Vice President, Development, Alumni Relations, & External Communications Marlene Baker spent the first 25 years of her career in senior management positions in marketing and communications. After 12 years with…
Steve Thrush
Vice President, Hosting and Strategic Operations Steve Thrush leads AFS-USA’s core hosting operations and is responsible for oversight, strategic priorities, and operational implementation of AFS-USA’s hosted student admissions, field hosting…
Mary Jo Brock
Vice President, Host Family Experience & Stakeholder Engagement Mary Jo Brock first experienced the transformative effect of exchange as a host sibling to AFS student Manuela from Peru in 1980.…
Willie Thompson
Willie Thompson: Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Intelligence Willie has over 17 years of experience with AFS Intercultural Programs. Having participated in a study abroad opportunity in Russia in…
Keri Dooley
Executive Vice President, Compliance & Government Relations
Melvin Harmon
Vice President, Marketing, Study Abroad, and Participant Support & Learning International student exchange has been a part of Melvin Harmon’s life for more than 40 years, starting with his own…
Tara Boyce-Hofmann
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Kuran
Chair of the Board of Directors
6 lessons from the AFS Returnee who went to space
AFS Returnee Samantha Cristoforetti adjusts her Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. Photo Credit: NASA For many AFS participants, studying abroad is the beginning of a lifelong international journey. For Italian…
Plump your Piggy Bank
If you don’t mind digging around for coins… As simple as it seems, finding change in your family’s couch or just simply asking friends and family members for their coins,…
Family Matches
If your family is willing to pitch in… Even though many people may like to support you, giving money is difficult. You can encourage your friends and family to help…
Coaster for a Cause
If you are a thrill seeker… Six Flags-affiliated amusement parks will occasionally hold “Coasters for a Cause” events during the month of May (or maybe other months of the year…
Create-Your-Own-A-Thon
If you are a goal setter and a go-getter… Organize a bike-a-thon, a pump iron-a-thon, a skate-a-thon, a walk-a-thon, a trash-a-thon, bowl-a-thon, jump-rope-a-thon, etc. Set a goal before you talk…
Drive-In Movie Night
If you are a movie buff… Find a place in your community to host your event. The location must have a flat surface where you can project the movie (i.e.…
Shave Your Head
If you aren’t too attached to a full head of hair… Create a campaign around shaving your head (or one of your friend’s head) by having people donate to your…
Pet Sitting
If you are good with animals… Depending on the type of pets you feel comfortable around, design a flyer that advertises your availability to pet sit for friends, family or…
Doggy Dip
If you don’t mind getting your hands wet… Host a doggie (or pet) wash for people that will pay to have you (and any friends you enlist) to bathe their…
Dog Walking
If you know owners who don’t have much time for their dog… Make posters to advertise so people know why you are fundraising. Charge per half hour or block walked.…
We’ve Got Spirit. How ’bout You?
If you are bursting with school spirit… Talk to your school principal about hosting a decorating contest (i.e. lockers, classroom doors, hallway posters, etc.). Be sure you get the appropriate…
Choose your Teacher’s Hair Color
If you have a teacher who is up for anything… Choose three to five outrageous colors and find a favorite teacher willing to dye his/her hair. Have students and faculty…
Valentine Balloons
If you enjoy playing Cupid… Selling helium balloons can be a great fundraiser around Valentine’s Day. Take orders 3 weeks prior to the holiday. Contact a local balloon shop to…
Tournament Snack Bar
If you are a sports fan… Ask your school if you can run the concession stand for a tournament and keep the profits as a fundraiser. Be sure you state…
Scrub-a-dub
If you are all about whipping up suds… Get permission from your school, church, or a local store to use its parking lot for your car wash. Advertise your car…
Recycle Electronics
If you have a stash of outdated devices… Ecophones Recycling Fundraiser could pay you up to $300 per item you recycle through their program (http://www.ecophones.com/). Ask parents, neighbors, co-workers and…
Gift Wrapping
If you have a pair of scissors and a roll of tape… Do some research to determine where you could volunteer during holiday seasons to wrap gifts. Often times, malls…
Print Address Labels
If you are good with a computer… Make return address labels and sell them for a set price (i.e. $5.00-$10.00 for 100 labels). Check local office supply stores to find…
Work Vouchers
If you are an all-around hard worker… Sell vouchers (or books of vouchers) entitling the buyer to an hour (or more) of work. You may want to design two types…
Paper or Plastic?
If you are always bagging your family’s groceries at the store… Bagging groceries for tips at your local grocery store is a fundraiser that requires some planning, but could yield…
Gophering
If you are detail oriented and can juggle many tasks at the same time… Devise a plan and time table to run errands for your friends and neighbors. Make flyers…
Colossal Clean Up
If you are a leader and can assemble an army of helpers… Contract with the management of your local fairgrounds or stadium to do cleanup after a major event. Recruit…
Garage Sale
If you know a lot of people who need to purge some belongings… Gather and organize any unwanted items from your family and friends. Enlist your friends and family to…
Yard Work
If you like fresh-cut grass and a little dirt under your nails… After getting permission from your parents, go door-to-door in your neighborhood and offer to wash windows or cars,…
Guest Chef
If you don’t need a sous chef to make a meal… Offer your cooking skills to families that might find they don’t have enough time to cook a meal at…
Create a Cookbook
If you are well organized… Ask you friends, family, classmates, teachers, etc. to submit their favorite recipes to you for inclusion in your cookbook. Spend some time thinking about how…
Master of the Kitchen
If you can channel your inner Gordon Ramsay… Make a list of the items you are able to make. You could sell cookies, pies, cakes and brownies, or go bigger…
Host an Internationally-Themed Dinner
If you are good in the kitchen… Host an internationally-themed dinner party where you make a cuisine from your future host country! If you prefer getting some help rather than…
Cooking for Cash
If you are a party planner… Organize a school-, church- or community-wide spaghetti dinner, ice cream social, salad bar, omelet or pancake breakfast, etc. When setting the price of each…
Approach Charitable Organizations
If you are good at making connections… Charitable organizations are usually comprised of business owners and well-connected people in your community. Charitable organizations will most likely be able to either…
Local AFS Fundraising
If you are a people person… Ask your local AFS area team volunteers about raising funds collectively. With the assistance of the volunteers, organize event(s) with other local AFS students…
Parents Night Out
If you enjoy babysitting… Offer one night (several nights) or a full Saturday / Sunday for parents to let you watch their kids. This fundraiser works at any time during…
Care Package Campaign
If you are creative, crafty, and caring… Compile a list of care package themes and the desired contents for each package to sell to people who want a gift for…
Silent Auction
If you have retail connections… Host a silent auction using donated items as a stand alone event or in conjunction with another fundraiser.Invite your friends, family, and members of the…
Corporate Sponsorships
If you are a go-getter and like talking to new people… Brainstorm (with your parents) a list of local businesses you could ask to sponsor you. Be prepared to explain…
Sponsorship Letter
If you know a lot of people that live far away… Write a letter introducing yourself, why you are fundraising, your motivations to study abroad and details about AFS. There…
Mass Email Campaign
If you have oodles of contacts in your address book… Using email is a great way to get the word out, however, it’s not enough to send out one email…
Food For Funds
If you have friends and family that like to eat at restaurants… Visit a few restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries in your town and speak with a manager about whether…
Airplane Ticket Giveaway
If you know someone with lots of reward miles… Ask a family member or a family friend who travels a lot to donate his/her frequent flyer miles for a domestic/international…
Email Newsletter
If you laugh in the face of deadlines… Sell subscriptions to a personal newsletter about your experience while you are on program. Determine how often you can write the newsletter…
Art Auction
If you are tight with some artists… Ask your artist friends or local artists in your community to help you create art. You could also create the art yourself. You…
Etsy Shop
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit… Etsy.com is similar to eBay, but for individual people selling their own art, crafts, jewelry, or vintage items. You can sign up for an account…
Skeins of Yarn
If you know how to knit or crochet… Create knitted or crocheted items, such as scarves, bags, socks, or hats to sell as a fundraiser. Ask your friends and fellow…
I’m With the Band
If you know a good band or singer… Ask the band or singer to perform at your fundraising event. Find a location, start preparing and advertising a couple months ahead…
Art Fundraiser
If you have an eye for design… Many stores (i.e. Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc.) offer photo services where you can use your own photos to create personalized coffee mugs,…
How Studying Abroad Can Make You Brave
Studying abroad can seem a little scary. You’re far from home in unfamiliar surroundings. You’re dealing with the language barrier and adjusting to new cultures. You’re disoriented and maybe experiencing…
Chain of Diversity
Goal: Participants will discover and recognize the many ways in which they are similar and are different from others in the group, as well as the ways in which each…
Building Global Competency in the Intercultural Classroom
Overview: The purpose of this activity is to introduce U.S. students to the world beyond their classroom borders through the bounty of hosting international students. An introductory exploration of culture…
14 Ways to Say Thank You Internationally
Goal: Known as the official start of the holiday season to many, the American secular holiday of Thanksgiving has been a long tradition that brings together family and friends from…
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Sourced from the UN: Investments in infrastructure – transport, irrigation, energy and information and communication technology – are crucial to achieving sustainable development and empowering communities in many countries. It…
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
Sourced from the UN: Roughly half the world’s population still lives on the equivalent of about US$2 a day with global unemployment rates of 5.7% and having a job doesn’t…
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Sourced from the UN: Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes,…
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Sourced from the UN: Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in and there is sufficient fresh water on the planet…