AN INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMME

is an opportunity to discover your potential while experiencing a new country, family, friends and school.

An AFS programme allows you to explore who you are, what excites you and helps you to focus on your next steps. You’ll move to a new country, live with a family, just like you do at home, attend school and integrate into a new culture and life. Our world-leading online and in-person orientations will help you prepare and make the most of your experience. AFS will transform your life with new countries, new cultures, new people and experiences, helping you become a global citizen.

These aren’t tourist trips, you’ll live like a local and get a genuine taste for life in another culture. You’ll be treated as one of the family and get great support from AFS.

The first thing that AFSers say

“Life-changing”, is nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for university and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in your host country. In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organisations in the study abroad industry.

How AFS Keeps Our Participants Safe

Each year, thousands of young people study abroad through AFS Partners Offices in 55+ countries. The safety and well-being of our participants is the number one priority.

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Information For Parents

AFS is a leading student study abroad programme provider for secondary school students, supported and facilitated by trained staff and volunteers.

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NCEA/IB and other FAQs

No doubt, you and your parents will have plenty of questions about going on a programme. Here is the guide to navigating NCEA and IB in New Zealand.

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS AND DIVE IN TO A NEW ADVENTURE!

AFS Aotearoa Scholarships | Ngā Karahipi Kaitiaki o Te Ao

Intercultural exchange programmes should be accessible for all students in Aotearoa New Zealand. With support from the AFS Educational Trust, AFS New Zealand provides a range of grants and scholarships for students from all walks of life.

Find out more about our scholarship options here!

What makes AFS different from other international programmes?

AFS students are not tourists or international fee-paying students! Most students live with a volunteer host family, who along with AFS volunteers and staff will help you transition into your new school and become an active member of your community. Depending on the programme, some students stay in other types of living arrangements—but all are supported by trained AFS volunteers and staff committed to making your experience meaningful and enjoyable as a member of a friendly community.

Why should I study abroad?

Living, learning and making friends in another country helps you connect with a world larger than your own.
Staying with a host family will help you appreciate perspectives of other people, as well as their cultures, values and traditions.
Learning another language or strengthening your language skills allows you to see the world through the eyes of others and experience a new culture in a much more personal way.
Exchange programmes provide the practical skills and understanding you need to communicate, collaborate and make friends with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Learning how to become a global citizen will help you understand, define and take your place in the world.
Studying abroad builds confidence and helps you become more comfortable in new and cross-cultural settings—in your home community or across the world.
New opportunities that can help you discover your path in life will be opened to you.
You’ll build your academic portfolio and CV/resume and stand out from the crowd when you apply to university.
Joining a global community like AFS helps you embrace differences and realize that our world is stronger and more interesting because of them.

Why should I choose AFS?

AFS offers carefully-designed intercultural adventures that are fun, challenging and and will change your life forever! We have an excellent reputation and over 75 years’ experience in providing high-quality, safe and satisfying intercultural programmes.

Your AFS experience will help you mature and develop skills that you will use throughout your lifetime:

Explore and discover a new culture
Learn to live and enjoy life outside your comfort zones
Get accustomed to making more decisions on your own
Enjoy amazing adventures with new friends from around the world
Try out new sports and unfamiliar activities
Share everyday life and cultural traditions with your host family and community

How much does AFS cost?

Each programme has a different price due to insurance, cost of living and support costs in each country. Remember, AFS is a non-profit charitable organisation, so all your fees go towards your experience instead of private profits!

Our $450 administration fee is the first payment you will make, due on submission of your full online application. You will then receive a payment schedule for your fees over 4 payments across 6 months prior to your departure.

AFS NZ also offers scholarships and fundraising support. Every year, hundreds of students worldwide raise money to go on an AFS programme – you can do it too!
To get started, send us an enquiry about the destination or programme you are interested in.

Will AFS help me adapt to my new family, school and community?

Absolutely! AFS staff, volunteers and host families all want to help make your experience enjoyable and memorable.

The AFS Student Learning Journey will help you become more comfortable with your new family and school, make friends and develop skills and understanding to communicate and make friends with people from different cultures. The journey is:

Facilitated by trained AFS volunteers and staff in your home country and host country
Based on a proven approach developed over 75 years of intercultural exchange and recently updated in collaboration with the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice
Made up of online and in-person educational activities to engage students with content related to intercultural learning and social innovation at every step of their AFS programme

Where will I live?

Most AFS students live with a volunteer host family. Our families are carefully chosen, screened and prepared to welcome an AFS student into their home. You’ll be treated like one of the family and welcomed to join in family routines, meals, activities and traditions.
Although much less common, some students live in dormitories, with weekend homestays to experience everyday life in a new community. For a very few short-term programs, students may even live in camp-like settings, if appropriate.
Once your application is accepted, AFS volunteers and staff in the host country will look for a community and family that are right for you. We encourage you to be as open and flexible as possible when it comes to placement.
All living facilities and situations are inspected and closely monitored by AFS throughout the programme experience.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

With over 75 years of experience in student exchanges, we know what we’re doing when it comes to support and education! AFS provides comprehensive orientation for all students and families before, during and after your exchange – AFS volunteers and staff will be there to support and guide you the whole way through. In-person orientation camps in New Zealand and your host country are supplemented by our world-leading online Student Learning Journey, an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to develop essential global skills, learn intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact. This journey will help you maximise your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community, and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad and as you return to your home country. Find out more about our educational expertise here!

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