A Different AFS Experience: Lucas’ Time at a Uniquely Danish Efterskole (Boarding School)
A Danish Efterskole is a school like no other! Danes say that one Efterskole year is equal to 7 regular…
Intercultural Learning
AFS Youth Assembly 2025: One Global Event, Two Unique NZ Volunteer Experiences
In August 2025, more than 500 rangatahi from over 80 countries gathered in New York. Under the banner of ‘Defying…
Discovering Ourselves
Written by Rachel Lilburn: The world has changed a lot since the first AFS student exchanges in 1947. It’s changed…
Bowing, Beeping, & Being Open-Minded: Talie’s Life-Changing Semester in China
Introduction: From New Zealand to China Hi there! My name is Talie. In January 2024, I decided to become an…
Manawa in Greece
Why Greece? Sun, History and the Unexpected My name is Manawa. Last year, I went on an exchange to Greece…
Kiwi Culture Experience
Five students from India immersed themselves in Kiwi Culture during our three-week short programme in April/May. They travelled through parts…
Beyond the Brochure: A Scrapbook of the AFS Team’s Exchange Experiences
As it turns out, all of our current AFS staff, and most board members, are either AFS exchange returnees or…
Loving Life in Boliva
Lucy, a recipient of an AFS scholarship, updates us on her time abroad in Bolivia so far: Introduction: My Adventure…
How Going Abroad Can Uplift Your Career: The Lasting Benefits of an AFS Student Exchange
Going on a student exchange is an adventure into cultural immersion, learning a language, fostering unique friendships, boosting confidence and…
Abroad in Poland: Where Jandals Don’t Cut It
Luke, recipient of an AFS scholarship, reflects on his time abroad in Poland so far: Introduction: The Start of My Exchange…
Te Ao Māori: from Germany to Gisborne with Milla
Kia ora! My name is Milla, I am 17 and I am from Germany. For the past five months of…
Returnee Reflections: Ava, France
I will forever thank myself for choosing to go on an exchange. It’s an experience I had always dreamed of…
Returnee Reflections: Antalya, Japan
I went to Nagoya, Japan for 5 months from March to August 2024. Some of the highlights of my everyday…
Returnee Reflections: Adrien, Finland
I’ve always been interested in foreign countries and how they do things differently, but there’s really nothing like actually going…
Returnee Reflections: Tui, France
Kia ora koutou and Bonjour à tous ! My name is Tui, and I have just recently returned from a…
AFS Youth Assembly 2024 – How was it?
Seven young New Zealanders attended the AFS Youth Assembly in New York City in August 2024. This was the first…
Host Student Update: Jaime from Spain
My reflection as an AFS Student at Tarawera High School My name is Jaime from Spain. I’m an AFS student…
Current Student Updates: Adam in Peru
Kia Ora, Buenos Días and Hello, I’m Adam McPhail, a Kiwi and an AFS exchange student living in Chincha Alta,…
Callan and Gypsy in China: Global Young Leaders
2024 Zhi-Xing China: Global Young Leaders Fellowship Callan I recently got the opportunity to travel to China and participate in…
Current student updates: Japan
We love getting news from our students overseas! Here are two letters from current students in Japan Kaelin, Japan…