AFS community service programme

Introduction


Introduction

Share your talents and energy, forge friendships that will last a lifetime and contribute to a community in need through our three- or six-month Community Service Programmes.

AFS has been running intercultural programmes around the world for more than 60 years. The support you'll receive is second-to-none, and your fee covers all major living expenses, which means peace of mind for you and your family while you are overseas.

Whether you're fresh out of school on a gap year, or fancy some time out of your daily routine, we have a wide range of voluntary jobs and international destinations available for people of all ages.

You might end up going on an archaeological dig in the Middle East. Or working as a teacher's assistant in school in Asia. Or helping out at an orphanage in Europe. It looks great on your CV and will impress employers who are always looking for people who show initiative.

You need to be over 18, and have an active interest in development or environmental issues. You'll be a part of positive change and gain valuable work experience, confidence, maturity, new language skills and friendships.




What the programmes involve

Programmes are divided into six sectors:

These may focus on specific age groups (children, youth, the elderly etc) or specific target groups (women, people with disabilities etc).

Our work exchanges offer all the advantages of being part of the AFS network. This means you can stay with a family and live like a local. You can make new friends and be a valued member of a family and community. You won't just be another tourist.

You will live with a local family, who we will carefully screen for suitability. They will provide your everyday needs, including all meals and accommodation. Depending on where you go, your family may not have all of the luxuries we have in New Zealand, but you can be sure of your host family's love and support.

On request, most AFS partners can tailor a programme to suit you. Contact us on 0800 600 300 for more information.




Application and travel dates

There are four major departures during the year depending on the length of your programme. Generally three-month programmes depart at the end of November, and six-month programmes depart either mid-February or mid-July. Programme dates are flexible, so call us to discuss on 0800 600 300.

Programmes tend to fill up quickly and places on certain programmes are very limited. Applications should be received at least three months prior for the three-month programmes and at least six months prior for the six-month programmes. This not only gives you time to prepare for your trip, it also gives AFS time to obtain the necessary visa and flight arrangements plus find you the most suitable family and programme.

Three and six months are ideal lengths of time to really explore another culture and make a positive contribution to a local community.




Fees

One up-front service fee covers all your airfares, food and accommodation for your trip. This takes all the hassle and worry out of working abroad.

We are a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation, which is why we charge a service fee. The fee varies depending on the length of programme and country you visit. The fee includes:

Your fee also helps to cover AFS volunteer training, local and overseas orientation activities and emergency assistance, as well as regular contact and coordination with the community service organisation. It also helps with the coordination and operational costs of the AFS partner organisation in the host country.

For a 6 month exchange the fee is approximately $8,250.00. It does vary for each country so please contact us for further details.




Language experience

You don't need to be fluent in the language of your host country. Many participants start off with little or no experience at all, but before long they can communicate at a basic level. A lot of volunteers are fluent by the end of the programme – there is no better way to learn a language than to speak it 24/7.

Some programmes offer language tuition. We recommend that you begin tuition as soon as you have been guaranteed a place in your host country.





Miriam is from Hawera and worked in an environment centre as part of a Community Service Programme to Tunisia.

"I had such an awesome day yesterday. There were good vibes around, it was nice. Went to another little restaurant that was almost as charming as the first one I went to and I think it cost about six dinars for two people to get full. Not that that stopped us getting ice cream afterwards! Then we went to la Medina, to the most magical spot. I really like the time just after dinner when the streets are beginning to full up again but there's not yet too many people around. We sat at a little café in one of the tiny Medina alleyways sipping the most amazing tea, sniffing bunches of jasmine, watching people pass by on their way to pray at either one of the mosques at each end of the street which were sending out their Koranic and chanting into the cool night. I felt like I was in a dream."

"We'd just been to a sweet stall and got one each of all the different kinds of Tunisian sweets. They're so delicious. Up until now I'd only really tried the fried ones, but last night I got the soft ones. So I hung out there in a blissful daze for a while, then we crossed the Medina to an arts centre for a concert with really good music."