An AFS exchange doesn’t end after returning home. AFS returnees often continue to travel, take up leadership opportunities, and tap into our vast global network long after their exchange ends. Many alumni also end up in high-impact roles where navigating different cultures is a prerequisite, such as international relations, language and community service. Here are some examples!
Jay Wells went to Japan for just five weeks on AFS’ MEXT Scholarship and immediately started volunteering for AFS upon his return. He then did Admin and Promotions Support at the AFS New Zealand national office and will be taking his love for travel to the skies as a Flight Attendant for Air New Zealand!
As AFS itself has such a vast international network, people sometimes pop into a local AFS office on their travels. Recently, Tharu – AFS Japan volunteer and Online Programme Facilitator for AFS International, came to visit us at our Auckland office when visiting his friend in Aotearoa. An AFS USA Volunteer called Ted also recently met up with NZ Volunteer Natalie in Rotorua during Ted’s travels. These are just two of many examples of ‘AFSers’ meeting up in various countries, even if their experience overseas or hosting was years previous!
Callan, a returnee from an AFS year in Germany, has been teaching English in Malaysia. He had a wonderful time catching up with the AFS Malaysia team.
Callan also previously flew to China to attend the Global Young Leaders Fellowship Programme, developed in collaboration between AFS NZ, AFS China and the Chinese Education Association for International Exchange. He and another AFS returnee/volunteer, Gypsy-Rose, travelled through Beijing, Jiujiang and Shanghai. They met other representatives from abroad, heard speakers from the UN and even gave a presentation at the closing ceremony!
Truly a global citizen, Gypsy-Rose has gone from Tokoroa to Sweden, to China, to New York and now Japan! As a returnee from Sweden, Gypsy-Rose went on to become a Volunteer Scholarship Recipient for the AFS Youth Assembly in 2025, in New York City! In partnership with the United Nations, the AFS Youth Assembly brings together young leaders and changemakers to tackle global issues. In 2024, Maddy (AFS returnee, Denmark, AFS Volunteer), Meg (AFS returnee, Italy and AFS Volunteer), Elspeth (AFS returnee, Brazil and AFS Volunteer), Bella (AFS returnee, Germany) and Dallas (AFS returnee, France, AFS Volunteer) were all Youth Assembly scholarship winners and also travelled to the Big Apple. Gypsy-Rose’s latest news is that she’s been accepted to the Jet Programme (Japan Exchange and teaching) and will be living in Japan for a year.
And last year Lisa, a returnee and long-time volunteer, went to MÄlaga, Spain for the AFS Volunteer Leadership Summit!
There are also many AFS New Zealand returnees actively involved in politics, innovation and creativity. For example, Rachel Cooper, who went with AFS to Italy, is a Climate Change Policy Advisor who was selected to travel to Antarctica to study environmental impacts and was once a youth delegate to the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations. Mary Shroff is a well known AFS returnee, who went to the USA with AFS and later became a former Secretary of the Cabinet and a Dame. Dr. Tristram Ingham, who developed the COVID-19 “bubble” strategy that New Zealand used during the pandemic, is also an AFS alumnus.
Other notable examples include Sarah Blyde, who manages Mars mission hardware at Rocket Lab after her exchange to Italy, and Kiel Tutin, whose immersion in Japan laid the foundation for his work with icons like BLACKPINK and Jennifer Lopez. Additionally, humanitarian photographer Helen Manson credits her time in Iceland with “breaking her world open,” igniting a dedication to documenting global events. The list truly goes on!
From popping into an office halfway across the world as part of a lifelong network, attending conferences and using adaptability in career moves, being involved with AFS is a gift that keeps on giving!