AFS Program
September 30, 2023 2024-01-02 10:56AFS Program
AFS Program
About AFS and Programme Details
THE MEMBER SCHOOL SINCE :2019
SUSHMITA BANERJEE
ADVISOR INDORE CHAPTER
Established in 1914, AFS Intercultural Programs (AFS) is an international, volunteer driven, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities. A premier educational exchange organisation, AFS is one of the world’s largest community-based volunteer organisations.
Since 1947, when the first student exchanges took place, a similar number of host families have been a part of AFS worldwide. The essence of any AFS program is ‘Stay and Study’ in a different cultural setting. Participants live with a host family experiencing home and family life that is in many ways different to their own culture and routine.AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance. We believe that today’s youth – and tomorrow’s leaders – are among the best “bridge builders” between nations.
Currently, there are more than 36,000 active volunteers worldwide in various roles including board leadership, program operations, participant support and marketing. The volunteer body is generally comprised of program alumni, and their families, former host families and teachers. Volunteers keep the wheels of AFS running.
Every year AFS provides thousands of high school age (15–18 year old) students from all over the world with opportunities to live in another country for an academic year. They learn to appreciate other ways of doing things and begin to break down the barriers between cultures and people. The personal growth and learning for both students and their families is profound and sustained. The families gain extended life-long relationships.
AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity, and intolerance. AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures.
Mission
AFS-USA empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.
Intercultural communication training is incredibly important to breaking down cultural barriers and building awareness of cultural norms, as well as enhancing self-awareness and communication skills.
- A strong connection to and involvement with the people and way of life of your host country.
- New relationships that will change your outlook in profound ways.
- A passion for understanding different cultures in addition to the one you visit.
- The ability to understand and to express yourself in another language, often fluently.
- A lifelong interest in and concern for the other countries and international issues.
- A greater flexibility when dealing with other people and situations.
AFS High School Program
Age limit - 15 to 17 1/2years. Duration- Generally 1 academic year or 1 year
Criteria for Students selection
• Young potential leaders —
a. Have solid personal qualities
b. Are results oriented
c. Have social empathy
d. Have awareness of Indian culture and global issues
Class Exchange Program
Age- Between 12 and 18 years preferably exchanges between students of the same age.
Number- Usually about 10-25 students + 2 teachers
Length- 1-3 weeks. Preferably 14 days.
Age 18+ can participate in AFS program too. The duration of the program could be chosen from 3 months, 6 months and 1 year tenure. Cost is similar to World Program fees.
Exchange Program For Teachers
Age 18+ can participate in AFS program too. The duration of the program could be chosen from 3 months, 6 months and 1 year tenure. Cost is similar to World Program fees.
Program Details
Intercultural Programs India
AFS is an international, voluntary, non - governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS was created in 1914 and has been doing intercultural programs since 1947, currently present in more than 54 countries with over 13,000 exchanges per year.
The essence of any AFS program is 'Stay and Study' in a different cultural setting. Participants live with a host family experiencing home and family life that is in many ways different to their own culture and routine.
The benefits of this intercultural experience are manifold. The participant, the host family, host school, and the community get an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
AFS believes that we must build bridges of understanding and mutual respect between countries and cultures around the world. We further believe that today's youth —and tomorrow's leaders —are among the best "bridge builders" between nations.
AFS Intercultural Programs India looks forward to strengthening its presence amongst its stakeholders by undertaking local/national initiatives. The programs aims to bring together anyone and everyone who works in international setting, lives or travels abroad, faces issues of diversity in their personal/professional life, or simply seeks to grow through intercultural experiences, an official AFS Intercultural Programs India extravaganza with an array of activities.
Target Audience —AFS Intercultural Programs India stakeholders —Students, Volunteers, Educational Institutions/Boards, Dignitaries, Corporate, Government Officials and Education &Cultural Exchange industry representatives.
Intercultural Education —AFS has always stressed on the need for advocating Intercultural Learning amongst its stakeholder — the need to develop cultural competencies to help individuals adapt in culturally varied setups. Imparting relevant education through workshop, seminars, talks etc. via such a platform could help us brand ourselves amongst a wider audience.
The purpose of AFS programs is to develop effectiveness for those working in international environments, encourage cultural and personal self-understanding, and show how to deepen the learning experiences that come from travel and life abroad, an informal yet social extravaganza with an intercultural theme.
We are feeling proud to share that our dpsites Agrim Soni, Kushagrah Tantade and Ansh Tiwari brought laurels for their Alma Mater. DPS Indore had hosted and organised 2 days Impact Challenge from 21 to 22July2023.Our Dpsites Agrim Soni bagged Best parliamentarian, Kushagrah Tanted (UNFCC) Special. Mentioned and Ansh Tiwari (UNHRC) Special. Mentioned Heartiest congratulations to the team and the Mentors
Himanshu Singh of DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL RAU is selected for the AFS Global STEM FOR A MONTHS programme.
AFS STEM Programme is a prestigious intercultural programme in which the AFS train the students regarding the sustainable development and social entrepreneurship.
His travel destination is Europe. In Europe, he will be visiting three countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany).He will be there for one month. 2 weeks in Belgium and remaining weeks in Netherlands and Germany respectively. The tour will start from Belgium which will be week one then Netherlands the other week and then Germany the third week and the last week he will back in Belgium.
"It is often the small steps,
Not the giant leaps,
That bring about the most Lasting Change"
We are proud to share that Dpsite Himaanshu Sharma received 100%Scholarship and he is amongst the 16 squad in India , who has been selected for GLOBAL STEM ACADEMY for a months programme In July. He will be visiting three countries in Europe.
We are jubliant by the accolades he brought for his Alma Mater. Himanshu marked his spot amongst 16 in India. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.
Two students are selected for the Denmark AFS Short Term Programme 2022
| S/No | Name | Programme Name | Country | Programma Date |
| 1 | Manan Farkya | AFS Denmak | Denmark | November 6 To December 2 |
| 2 | Prabgun | AFS Denmak | Denmark | November 6 To December 2 |
Glimpses from Brazil....Geet Tiwari AFS STEM PROGRAM....
Glimpses from Egypt....Priyanshi Somani AFS STEM PROGRAM
The Hands That Serve are Holier Than The Lips That Pray
AFS member schools and volunteers spent time with the children of a retired school teacher, Ms. Vrushali Ketkar on Saturday, 30, April 2022. The students and the volunteers actively volunteered their roles in teaching and conducting various games and activities.
The volunteers distributed first aid kits, notebooks, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, juices, and wafers.
A small step has been initiated by the AFS Volunteers to help a lady who single-handedly serves with a smile.
The students learned that they don’t need much but have good intentions to be able to help others.
The PARTICIPATING AFS MEMBER schools were
DPS(Rau) | DPS(Nipania) | St.Raphael’s | Emerald Heights | IPS | Niranjana | Vidya Sagar | Medicaid
The Voice of God Can Be Heard Only in the Depth of Silence
100% Scholarship for 2022 AFS Global Stem Academy in Brazil and Egypt
1. AFS Exchange Programme 2021
2. Sir Cyril Taylor Program
Online (ONGOING) modules on Bridge for the Sir Cyril Taylor Program (Effect+ for Classroom) for educators .
Educator: Ms.Ankita Chaturvedi expressed her views on ongoing programme:
Objective
- to articulate the intense transformation and personal growth
- to develop: adaptability, critical thinking, self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, valuing differences, open-mindedness, global awareness, and change-making.
Learning Out Come
- Learn firsthand about the impact of culture on values and the decisions they make
- Gain the ability to better see themselves through the eyes of others
- Challenge assumptions
- Broaden their views on stereotypes and global issues
- Gain understanding on how to shift perspectives effectively, appropriately and authentically
- Create innovative solutions to resolve real-world challenges.
AFS Exchange Programme Planned
| S/No | Date/Month | Programme | Country | Eligibility | Programme Fee |
| 1 | June 2022-March 2023 | Asia Kakehashi Programme Project | Japan (One Year) | 15-18 Years | Fully Scholarship |
| 2 | May – June2022 | Adventure/Sports/Culinary Prog, | SPAIN (15 DAYS) | IX,X,XI | 1,05,000 |
| 3 | 2022-23 | High School Students Exchange Prog. | Italy and France (One Year) | 15-17 Years | Partial Scholarship |
| 4 | Jan-April 22 | Young Leader Leadership Prog. | India | Class VI-XII | INR1000 |
