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Scholarships

The UNICO Avon Chapter Scholarship

The UNICO Avon Chapter Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship made available by the Avon, Connecticut chapter of UNICO National. UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the USA,…

Life in the Dominican Republic
Culture Trek

Life in the Dominican Republic

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Travel Guide Year/Semester High School AFS Dominican Republic Program Handbook Visa Guidelines Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone:…

Clarksville_TN
Scholarships

Edelweiss Scholarship

The Edelweiss Scholarship is made available by the Clarksville Edelweiss Club. Scholarship Type: Merit-based Scholarship Value: $4,000 Available Scholarships: Two (2) Applicable Programs: AFS Year or Semester Programs to Austria…

temple-with-guards
Culture Points, Educators Articles

What is Culture?

Culture is not easy to define. Some aspects of culture are obvious and concrete, like art or attire, while others are less noticeable or even subconscious, like body language or the social values that dictate it.

No Visa Required
Travel Documents

No Visa Required

If you are an American citizen traveling to any of these countries on an AFS Summer or Global Prep Program, you will not need to obtain a visa to participate…

Life in Argentina
Culture Trek

Life in Argentina

The Essentials All Programs AFS Argentina Welcome Booklet AFS Argentina (Uruguay) Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Travel Guide Year/Semester High School Host School FAQ Visa…

Life in Australia
Culture Trek

Life in Australia

Essentials AFS Australia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Cultural Resources “What Australian slang has given the world”- BBC…

Life in Austria
Culture Trek

Life in Austria

All Programs AFS Austria Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Semester High School Visa FAQs Arrival Information Year High School Visa FAQs Arrival…

Life in Belgium-Flanders
Culture Trek

Life in Belgium-Flanders

The Essentials AFS Belgium-Flanders Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ School Expectations  Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language Requirements Applicants to the Year High School Programs…

Life in Belgium-French
Culture Trek

Life in Belgium-French

The Essentials AFS Belgium-French Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language Requirements Applicants to the Year High School Program in Belgium-French…

Life in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Culture Trek

Life in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Essentials AFS Bosnia and Herzegovina Welcome Booklet Get to Know Bosnia and Herzegovina AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language…

Life in Brazil
Culture Trek

Life in Brazil

The Essentials AFS Brazil Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language Requirements Applicants to the Semester and Year High School Program…

visa-faq
Travel Documents

Non-US Citizen FAQ

If you reside in the US but you are not a US citizen, there are additional procedures to follow in order to travel abroad on an AFS program. As a…

Life in Canada
Culture Trek

Life in Canada

The Essentials AFS Canada Welcome Booklet Program Calendar AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Digging Deeper Language Resources Duolingo (free language learning app) Rosetta Stone: French Babbel: French…

visa-faq
Travel Documents

Apostilles

*Please remember that you MUST NOT REMOVE the apostille and/or staple from its attached document. Removal of either of these will destroy the authenticity of the apostille! Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California…

Life in Chile
Culture Trek

Life in Chile

The Essentials All Programs AFS Chile Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Year/Semester High School Arrival Information Visa FAQ Summer Homestay Visa FAQ Digging Deeper…

Life in China
Culture Trek

Life in China

The Essentials All Programs AFS China Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School Host School FAQ Medical and Academic Information Arrival Information Visa FAQ…

Life in Colombia
Culture Trek

Life in Colombia

The Essentials Global Prep/Year/Semester AFS Colombia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide COVID-19 Specific Guidelines Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Spanish Duolingo (free language learning app) BBC…

Life in Costa Rica
Culture Trek

Life in Costa Rica

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Costa Rica Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Summer Community Service…

Life in Croatia
Culture Trek

Life in Croatia

The Essentials AFS Croatia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Learn Croatian Eurolinguiste- 100 Basic Croatian Phrases Memrise: Croatian Skolica…

Life in Czech Republic
Culture Trek

Life in Czech Republic

The Essentials AFS Czech Republic Welcome Booklet Safety Tips AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Czech Language Booklet Memrise:…

Life in Denmark
Culture Trek

Life in Denmark

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Changes to Hosting Realities (COVID-19) Year High School AFS Denmark Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Danish Educational System…

Life in Egypt
Culture Trek

Life in Egypt

The Essentials All Programs AFS Egypt Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School  Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Summer Language Study Arrival…

Life in Finland
Culture Trek

Life in Finland

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS Finland Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Finnish Education System Brochure  Arrival Information Visa FAQ Changes to…

Life in France
Culture Trek

Life in France

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS France Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information Arrival Information (January Departure) Visa FAQ Summer Language Study…

Life in Germany
Culture Trek

Life in Germany

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Germany Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Visa FAQ Green Summer School AFS Germany Welcome…

Life in Ghana
Culture Trek

Life in Ghana

The Essentials All Programs AFS Ghana Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Daily Expectations Year High School Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Summer Team…

Life in Guatemala
Culture Trek

Life in Guatemala

The Essentials Global Prep AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Spanish Duolingo (free language learning app) BBC Spanish Language Guide LiveMocha: Spanish Learn Basic…

Life in Hong Kong
Culture Trek

Life in Hong Kong

The Essentials AFS Hong Kong Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Memrise: Cantonese Learn Cantonese…

Life in Hungary
Culture Trek

Life in Hungary

The Essentials All Programs AFS Hungary Welcome Booklet Safety Tips AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Summer Homestay Arrival Information…

Life in Iceland
Culture Trek

Life in Iceland

The Essentials AFS Iceland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Host School FAQ Visa FAQ Icelandic Language Learning Materials- Audio The Alphabet Song The Alphabet Consonants…

Life in India
Culture Trek

Life in India

The Essentials All Programs AFS India Welcome Booklet AFS India Participant Handbook Safety Tips Focus on India AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year High School Host School FAQ Educational…

Life in Indonesia
Culture Trek

Life in Indonesia

The Essentials AFS Indonesia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language Instruction AFS Indonesia offers language lessons once a…

Life in Ireland
Culture Trek

Life in Ireland

The Essentials All Programs Ireland Welcome Booklet for Year Programs Summer Program Welcome Information Ireland Rules & Laws AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Packing Guide Parent Letter Arrival Information…

Life in Italy
Culture Trek

Life in Italy

The Essentials All Programs AFS Italy Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School Host School FAQ Italian School System 101 Arrival Information Visa FAQ…

Life in Japan
Culture Trek

Life in Japan

The Essentials All Programs AFS Japan Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School Host School FAQ Characteristics of Japanese High School Life Arrival Information…

Life in Kenya
Culture Trek

Life in Kenya

The Essentials Global Prep AFS Kenya Welcome Booklet Living with a Kenyan Host Family AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Swahili Live Lingua Project:…

Life in Latvia
Culture Trek

Life in Latvia

The Essentials AFS Latvia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Changes to Hosting Realities (COVID-19) Digging Deeper Language Resources…

Life in Mexico
Culture Trek

Life in Mexico

The Essentials AFS Mexico Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Spanish Duolingo (free language learning app) Memrise:…

Life in Nepal
Culture Trek

Life in Nepal

The Essentials Global Prep AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Digging Deeper Language Resources Learn 101: Nepali  ilanguages: Learn Nepali  Omniglot: Useful Phrases in Nepali Free Nepali Guru App Nepali: A…

Life in New Zealand
Culture Trek

Life in New Zealand

The Essentials AFS New Zealand Welcome Booklet  AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Cultural Resources Hofstede Center: New Zealand BBC: New…

Life in Norway
Culture Trek

Life in Norway

The Essentials AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Visa FAQ Year High School Program AFS Norway Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information Digging Deeper Language Resources Norwegian Language Booklet…

Life in Panama
Culture Trek

Life in Panama

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Panama Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Year/Semester Community Service AFS…

Life in Paraguay
Culture Trek

Life in Paraguay

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS Paraguay Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Year/Semester Community Service AFS Paraguay Welcome…

Life in Peru
Culture Trek

Life in Peru

The Essentials AFS Peru Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Spanish Duolingo (free…

Life in Poland
Culture Trek

Life in Poland

The Essentials All Programs AFS Poland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year High School Arrival Information Host School FAQ Visa FAQ Language Requirements Applicants to the Year…

Life in Portugal
Culture Trek

Life in Portugal

The Essentials AFS Portugal Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Practical Information Survival Guide Discussion Questions for Your Host Family Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Portuguese…

Life in Russia
Culture Trek

Life in Russia

The Essentials All Programs AFS Russia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School Host School FAQ Arrival Information Travel Guidelines Visa FAQ Global Prep…

Life in Serbia
Culture Trek

Life in Serbia

The Essentials AFS Serbia Welcome Booklet Get to Know Serbia AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Serbian Music School Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper…

Life in Slovakia
Culture Trek

Life in Slovakia

The Essentials AFS Slovakia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Memrise: Slovak iLanguages: Slovak Slovak 101 Surface Languages: Slovak…

Life in Spain
Culture Trek

Life in Spain

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Spain Welcome Booklet Rules & Responsibilities Host School FAQ Tips for Your Spanish Exchange…

Life in Sweden
Culture Trek

Life in Sweden

The Essentials AFS Sweden Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Welcome Letter Visa FAQ  Changes to Hosting Realities (COVID-19) Digging Deeper Language Resources…

Life in Switzerland
Culture Trek

Life in Switzerland

The Essentials AFS Switzerland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources ActiLingua: German Ralf-Kinas: German LiveMocha: German Rosetta…

Life in Thailand
Culture Trek

Life in Thailand

The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School AFS Thailand Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ Arrival Information School Program Rules and Responsibilities Visa…

Life in the Netherlands
Culture Trek

Life in the Netherlands

The Essentials AFS Netherlands Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Dutch Duolingo (free language learning…

Life in Turkey
Culture Trek

Life in Turkey

The Essentials All Programs AFS Turkey Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School Host School FAQ Arrival Information (Coming Soon!) Visa FAQ Digging Deeper…

Blue and white piggy bank
Fundraising Ideas

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,…

money in the glass
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Roller Coaster
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Numbers on running track  in stadium
Fundraising Ideas

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…

aged and worn vintage photo of drive in theater sign
Fundraising Ideas

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.…

tondeuse a cheveux
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Adorable French bulldog lying down at the TV
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Dog in bathroom
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Obedient Spaniel Dog On Leash Outdoors
Fundraising Ideas

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.…

Ballon Herzen am Himmel
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Popcorn
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Self Service Car Wash
Fundraising Ideas

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…

elektronikschrott
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Handmade present boxes with tags
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Mailbox inside
Fundraising Ideas

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…

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Fundraising Ideas

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…

Grocery Brown Bag With Fruits and Vegetbales
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Trolley with product on shelf
Fundraising Ideas

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…

broom sweeps fallen leaves
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Box of unwanted stuff ready for a garage sale
Fundraising Ideas

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…

work gloves and rake
Fundraising Ideas

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
Fundraising Ideas

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…

ricetta del giorno – ricettario aperto con ingredienti e uternsi
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Kitchen utensils on wooden background.
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Baking ingredients
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Question Panels
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Counting The Pennies
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Wooden colour toy. Sorter
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Picnic basket
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Hauptpreis
Fundraising Ideas

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…

Checkbox
Fundraising Ideas

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…