Volunteers are the driving force of AFS.
Our organisation is built on the pioneering spirit of the volunteer ambulance drivers of the American Field Service in 1915. Today, AFS volunteers range in age from students to seniors and share a spirit of adventure and a desire to make the world a better place. Volunteering for AFS enables you to build friendships, expand your horizons and give back to your community.
Volunteer
Join a community of global citizens committed to creating a more just and peaceful world.
How to become an AFS Volunteer
Background
You will have an amazing time no matter what you do with AFS. You’ll meet interesting students, make friends from around the world, work with passionate volunteers and gain intercultural and other skills that will last a lifetime.
Is this for you?
Does what we do resonate with you? Do you like working in a diverse cultural environment and meeting new people? We have many different volunteer roles and opportunities, ranging from ad-hoc micro-volunteering tasks to more regular commitments.
Send an enquiry
If you’d like to find out more or are ready to put your volunteer application forward, please click here to fill in an enquiry form.
To ensure the safety of our participants, all volunteers must be registered.
Get trained
Once we receive your application and you are approved, the Volunteer Development Team will work with you to identify the most suitable volunteer opportunities for you and offer the necessary training to ensure your success.
Enquire Now
Keen to find out more?
Ready to put your hand up to volunteer?
Complete an enquiry form now!
What are the benefits of volunteering for AFS?
Create change
The world needs more Active Global Citizens. AFS helps to create them. You can help to create them!
Join a community
AFS is a global community.
Join over 30,000 active volunteers worldwide.
Improve your CV
Demonstrate sought-after professional skills like communication and collaboration while acquiring intercultural competency with AFS.
Opportunities
Volunteers take on many different roles at AFS, ranging from student support to facilitating trainings, running local events and much more …. there are loads of ways to get involved.
Engaging with my community; meeting people from around the world
“Joining my local group of AFS volunteers gave me the opportunity to develop many skills, such as how to work in a team and interact with people from different backgrounds. As an AFS volunteer, I am more engaged in my community and I meet people from all over the world. Helping students, teachers and families embark on intercultural learning adventures makes me appreciate the importance of world peace and intercultural understanding.”
—Marcela Vazquez, AFS Argentina volunteer
AFS volunteers can be involved in lots of exciting projects
Support
- Help host families get to know their AFS student
- Be a liaison for host schools
- Introduce exchange students to your community
- Check in with students and host families regularly to monitor programmes
Plan
- Help with organising orientations for study abroad and hosting programmes
- Arrange awesome social events and cultural trips
- Bring host families together to share experiences
- Set up information sessions for students, families or volunteers
Train
- Guide AFSers and others through intercultural learning journeys
- Introduce students to your country’s culture
- Facilitate learning through creative activities
- Share you own global experience
Manage & Lead
- Serve on local AFS groups and boards
- Learn how to manage local volunteers
- Inspire others to serve their community
AFS NZ Mission
AFS Aotearoa New Zealand is a volunteer driven, non-government, not-for-profit organisation that provides lifelong intercultural learning opportunities in local and global communities, helping people develop the necessary values, skills and knowledge to foster the aroha, manaakitanga and respect needed for a more just and peaceful world.
AFS supports UN Sustainable Development Goals
AFS believes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #4 and #16 provide a roadmap to help make our world a better place for all people.
Global Goal #4:
QUALITY EDUCATION
Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
Goal #4 focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to promote “sustainable development” and “sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
Global Goal #16
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
Goal #16 has three main objectives: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
AFS Volunteer Awards
Meet the AFS volunteers who received the Galatti Award, the Peggy and Art Howe Award, and the AFS Award for Young Volunteers for their extraordinary commitment to the AFS mission.
Two new awards were introduced in 2023: the AFS Community Impact Award for Standout Local Chapters and Beyond the Call of Duty Award for Exceptional Volunteer Actions.