From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann

Tara Hofmann Headshot

This month’s edition of the AFS Global Educator shines a spotlight on the theme of “Scholarships & Awards” – a topic close to our hearts at AFS-USA. We believe in the transformative power of intercultural experiences, and scholarships and awards are key enablers of these life-changing journeys.

At AFS-USA, we know that scholarships and awards are more than financial support; they are the keys to unlocking a world of possibilities for students and for educators. Please join us on this inspiring journey of discovery and empowerment as we explore how these opportunities are shaping the future for our global citizens.

Scholarships For Your Students

Study abroad experiences can be life-changing for your students. However, many students won’t consider the possibility because they think they can’t afford it. Don’t let your students feel that way! AFS-USA Global Citizens Scholarships & Aid, through the help of generous donors, offers students $1 million dollars in merit and needs-based scholarships that range from $1,000 to full tuition, for summer, semester, and year programs.

In partnership with the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), AFS-USA is excited to launch a new scholarship for students of French to participate in the AFS France Summer Camp program in 2024 with a $7,500 scholarship. French teachers who are members of the AATF may nominate up to three students for this scholarship by November 19, 2023! Learn more and nominate your students today!

As an implementor of U.S. Department of State programs, it’s very exciting for AFS-USA to be able to share three distinct scholarships to help your students (ages 15-18) go abroad in 2024!

NSLI-Y is a language focused scholarship where students can learn Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Persian, Russian, Turkish, or Indonesian on a summer program or through an academic year experience. No prior experience with the language of the program is required, but flexibility and motivation for language learning are must-haves. Deadline to apply is November 2, 2023. 

CBYX is a cultural exchange and diplomacy scholarship where students spend an academic year in Germany attending a local school and learning the German language. Students do not need any prior experience with German and may apply as seniors to go as a gap year before college. Students must apply by November 1, 2023.

The YES Abroad Scholarship is for students who want to dive into an immersive cultural experience. Students live for an academic year with a host family, attend a local school, and build relationships within their host community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Senegal, Thailand, and Türkiye. Many high school seniors are eligible to apply. Apply by December 6, 2023.

The Virtual NSLI-Y Winter 2024 Program is a chance for eligible high school students to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Russian, or Turkish in online classes for 10 weeks from January-March 2024. Selected finalists will receive a merit scholarship to study the target language at the beginner-level and associated culture(s)! Application deadline is October 23.

Opportunities for Educators
AFS Effect+ Scholarships for Teachers

Learn about global competence, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and how to bring those pieces together in your classroom without sacrificing local standards. All secondary teachers are eligible to apply for a FULL scholarship to participate. Selected teachers will earn a certificate with 15 hours of professional growth time listed as well as a digital Global Competence credential that can be used in their email signature, on LinkedIn, or on the school’s website! Apply by October 8th for this full scholarship opportunity with the AFS Effect+ Program.

2024 AFS-USA Global School Award

It’s the time of year when you consider the amazing things that happen at your school to connect students to the world. If your school has made great efforts to internationalize the curriculum, teach about global competence, engage the community in learning about culture, or any other great thing, please consider nominating your school for the 2024 AFS-USA Global School Award. The first step is easy. Nominate your school today! Meet our 2023 Global School below.

Virtual Exchange Opportunity – FREE!

AFS-USA received a grant from the Stevens Initiative in conjunction with our international partners to offer 20+ high school classrooms a virtual exchange experience in Spanish, English, or a combination this academic year. AFS Mexico and AFS Colombia are excited to join us in pairing up classrooms. Learn more HERE and complete the interest form TODAY!

ICYMI – AFS-USA Intercultural Club Toolkit

The AFS-USA Intercultural Club Toolkit was released in our August newsletter. This toolkit will save you a lot of time in planning and organizing your international club meetings. Find activities for every month plus an appendix with extra information to share! This handbook will even help you get a club started if you don’t have one yet! Have an idea that you would like to see included in the handbook? Share that with us at [email protected]!

If you have an active AFS Club and you’d like to have an official table cover for your fairs, festivals, and events, send us a message with a photo of your club, a quote from a club member about something they love about the club, and we’ll ship you an official AFS table cover!

AFS-USA is here to support YOU and the amazing things that you are doing in the classroom to bring the world to your students and inspire them to explore other cultures! We’re sure you know this already, but sometimes students (and teachers) just need to be told that they are worthy of an award or scholarship and that they should apply. So, please take this message as us tapping you on the shoulder and reminding you that you have what it takes to earn a scholarship or win an award. It’s time to throw your hat in that ring! Please let us know how we can help.

Jill Woerner
Director of Educational Outreach
AFS-USA, Inc.

E: [email protected]
P: (646) 381-3309

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