By linking our “learning to live together” philosophy to the defining global issues facing humanity, AFS fosters intercultural understanding as a powerful and productive tool for building a more just and peaceful world. The AFS global community embraces differences and believes our world is stronger and more interesting because of them.
With options for High School Study Abroad, Language Learning, Summer/Short-term Exchanges, and more, we are pioneers in intercultural education.
Daring to create change:
From the legendary WWI volunteer ambulance service to today’s world-class intercultural exchange and education programmes – watch the short video to travel through our organisation’s history.
For a more in-depth look, visit the AFS International Timeline and AFS Archives.
We are accredited by the New Zealand Ministry of Education Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga and the New Zealand Council for Intercultural Education (NZCIE).
We are a member of ISANA NZ (International Education Association New Zealand).
On a global scale, AFS has held consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1974 and with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) since 2015.
In 1988, AFS was selected to receive a special testimony from UN Secretary General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, for services to the youth of the world.
Most recently, in 2026 AFS has joined the United Nations’ Global Network for Youth (GNY) as an inaugural member.
Read more about AFS’s long history with the UN.
Most of our AFS NZ staff as well as Board members are either AFS exchange returnees or have lived and worked abroad. This shared life experience and true passion for intercultural connections shines through in everything we do.
For us, AFS is not just a job. It’s deeply personal.
We are honoured to play our part in creating the next generation of AFSers and journey alongside them for a while, as they grow into Active Global Citizens.
All former AFS participants, volunteers, host families and staff remain part of our AFS whānau.
Around the world, AFS has more than 1 million alumni, who have experienced the #AFSeffect as an exchange student, host family, volunteer, educator and in many other ways. Many AFSers remain active supporters of our programmes and our mission.
If you would like to reconnect with AFS, get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you want to become involved through volunteering, hosting a student or going on an AFS intercultural programme, let’s get you started. We’d love to have you…
Keep the AFS dream alive for future generations.
Your donation will contribute towards scholarships for those, who wouldn’t be able to participate in an AFS exchange programme otherwise. You will empower them
to think big and gain incredible skills.
You will change their lives!
