Why Choose AFS?

Since the days of our founders, the volunteer ambulance drivers of the American Field Service during WWI and WWII, AFS has remained a not-for-profit and volunteer-based organisation. We are a registered charity in New Zealand, and we continue to be powered by our outstanding volunteers who bring the AFS mission to life.

In partnership with our network of over 50 AFS partner countries, our preparation and support systems have been developed, tried, and tested. We get you prepared before you go, offer 24/7 support while you’re on programme and help you settle back into life at home when you return. With close to 80 years of experience, our risk management and emergency procedures are solid and reliable. You’re in good hands!

The AFS Student Learning Journey is the structured education programme that accompanies all our study abroad programmes. At the end of their learning journey, every student leaves with the “AFS Superpowers” that they need to make the world a better place through active global citizenship: adaptability, critical thinking, self-awareness, empathy, communication, valuing differences, open-mindedness, global awareness, and change-making. To learn more about the AFS Student Learning Journey, click here. 

Everyone involved will get to be a part of the journey and experience the #AFSeffect. We provide orientations and support for all volunteers, sending families and host families. When your child goes on AFS, you have the opportunity to expand your intercultural skills, too!

Scholarsips have been part of our mission from the beginning. As a non-profit organisation, we remain committed to making intercultural exchange programmes accessible to as many students as possible.
We’re proud to offer a range of scholarships and grants to provide financial support where needed.

Our scholarships and grants are supported by strong funding partners.
The AFS Educational Trust is an independent legal entity that supplies funding for various grants and excellence awards.
Generous AFS Alumni and volunteers sponsor scholarships for the next generation of Kiwi AFSers.
In addition, we are often able to cooperate with AFS partner countries to offer special destination scholarships, and we regularly partner with corporate sponsors.
For all scholarship options and application dates, click here.