Why Choose AFS

Pricing guarantee

AFS guarantees that the price you are quoted at the time your exchange is confirmed will not change. Other student exchange providers will increase your participation fee in response to exchange rate fluctuations but with AFS "what we say is what you pay".

Country guarantee

We can guarantee that you will be accepted to the country of your choice as long as you meet the AFS application guidelines and there are places available for that country

Quality

AFS is renowned for the quality of experience students enjoy. We also conduct regular market research to explore new ways of enhancing the AFS experience beyond the already high levels of customer satisfaction.

Peace of mind

AFS has a large network of people on the ground in every host country to provide 24-hour support for all our students and families, and proven risk management and emergency procedures. We believe these are of paramount importance when operating in the market of student exchange.

Experience

We have operated continuously in New Zealand for 60 years and have built up superior industry knowledge. Over 10,000 New Zealanders have studied abroad through AFS including Sam Morgan (Trade Me), Peter Williams(broadcasting), Nick Smith (politics) and Dame Anne Salmond (education). More than 10,000 AFS students have also been hosted in New Zealand since 1947.

Reputation

AFS has been contracted to deliver the Ministry of Education Language Immersion Award programme. Globally we are the only student exchange organisation to have received a special citation from the United Nations for services to the youth of the world.

Scale of operation

Globally more than 12,000 AFS participants study abroad each year. Over 300,000 students have participated on an AFS exchange and AFS utilises a network of more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide.

Ethos

AFS is a not-for-profit, volunteer based organisation with the vision of creating a more just and peaceful world through intercultural understanding. Our mission is 'peace through friendship and cultural understanding'. We do not operate to obtain commercial gain from students.