What is the AFS Student Learning Journey?

On an AFS program, every student does more than just travel — they go on a learning journey.

Our students have the opportunity to experience study abroad, learn global skills, practice social impact and return home as active global citizens who possess essential global skills needed to live, learn, work, volunteer, contribute to society, and change the world.

Before, during and after their program, every AFSer can benefit from an educational curriculum that we have developed over 75 years of intercultural learning, and recently updated in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS).

At the end of their learning journey, we hope students will leave with the “AFS superpowers” that they need to make the world a better place through active global citizenship: adaptability, critical thinking, self-awareness, empathy, communication, valuing differences, open-mindedness, global awareness, and change-making.

Discover AFS Education

For all study abroad students, the AFS Student Learning Journey combines online and in-person learning at every step of your AFS program: before you travel, while you are abroad, and when you return from the program. This way you can connect globally with all exchange students who are on an AFS program at the same time as you, interact locally in-person with your peers. This approach maximizes the learning outcomes from your AFS experience.

Group of students holding up peace signs has their picture taken in a classroom

Before Your Program Starts: Discover

Online globally: Once you decide to go on an AFS program, you’ll become part of a global community and meet like-minded and diverse people before you even travel! Each student is enrolled in an online learning program, designed by AFS in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS), that compliments your in-person experience. You can meet, connect, and collaborate virtually with AFS peers from all over the world.
In-person locally: Before you travel, you can participate in a locally or nationally scheduled group orientation session that helps you develop the knowledge, coping strategies, and skills needed to have a meaningful intercultural experience. This orientation will be a great way to meet other AFSers before they go abroad, and will be led by AFS staff and/or volunteers.

During Your Program: Develop

Online globally: You’ll have the opportunity to continue to move through our digital program, learn how to help solve global and local challenges, and then have a chance to apply these skills and practice making positive change by working on a concrete team or individual project . Over the course of your AFS program, you can take 21 foundational modules, participate in 5 facilitated online meetings to discuss what you have learned, reflect on and share your insights, and undertake activities together with your fellow AFSers from around the world, all supported by trained AFS volunteers.
In-person locally: Upon or shortly after arrival in your host country, you will have an Arrival Orientation with AFS staff, volunteers and—the most exciting part!—other students on the AFS program with you. You’ll have similar in-person orientations at the middle of your program, and before returning to your home country. You’ll also receive individualized support. At least once a month, students work with trained AFS volunteers to discuss their experiences. These monthly contacts and learning reflections help students develop a deeper appreciation of cultural differences and the most effective and appropriate ways to deal with them, as well as how to apply this learning later in life.

After Your Program: Debrief

Get an Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact

For AFS students wanting to go above and beyond, we offer an Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact from University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS). This is a great way to boost your resume with official recognition from a world renowned university, and put your ideas for changing the world into practice.

Do I have to pay extra for the online global component?

No. All the online and in-person program components described here are included in the academic semester and year high school program price. However, if you would like to take the Advanced Certificate in Global Citizenship for Social Impact program, additional costs will apply.

What AFS programs are supported by the AFS Student Learning Journey?

How are AFS host families prepared to welcome and support students from other cultures?

Just like the AFS Student Learning Journey, the AFS Host Family Learning Journey is built on specific intercultural learning objectives and facilitated by trained AFS staff and volunteers. In addition to sharing your own culture and traditions with a teen, your Global Family benefits by:

Sharing your culture, family traditions and introducing your new member to your local community
Exploring and building your own intercultural awareness and understanding as individual global citizens and as a family,
Being better equipped to support your hosted student’s integration into a new culture, as well as their intercultural educational experience,
Learning about new cultures from your host student,
Contributing to changing the world by providing a once-in-lifetime transformative opportunity to help a teen become an active global citizen.

The AFS Student Learning Journey

Our students learn the 21st Century skills needed to succeed in a global world

What is the AFS Student Learning Journey?

What do you experience on the AFS Student Learning Journey?