AFS NOW: ✈️ AFSers take flight, Geneva recap & 2026 Awards

 

August 2026 A new generation of AFSers takes flight Thousands of high school students are arriving in over 50 destinations to start their AFS exchange program experience. Supported by dedicated AFS volunteers, these young changemakers will spend the coming months immersed in new cultures and host families — learning how to communicate and collaborate across cultures, and building personal resilience grounded in nearly 80 years of AFS tradition. Applications are still open for programs kicking off in February 2027, with year-long, semester, trimester, and short-term options available. Spots are filling up fast, so students interested in studying in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Philippines, and Switzerland should apply by September 15. Contact your local AFS office to find out more. WRAPPING UP THE 2026 AFS YOUTH ASSEMBLY IN GENEVA Hundreds of young global citizens from over 80 countries recently gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 31st AFS Youth Assembly! Under the theme “Rise. Reimagine. Rebuild: A World for All,” delegates engaged in sessions focused on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and tackling critical issues like climate resilience, education, and global polarization. Key highlights from Geneva International Youth Day: Delegates celebrated at the UN World Health Organization in collaboration with UNITAR, unpacking the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations". Specialized academies: Prior to the conference, 160+ scholarship recipients joined deep-dive tracks on International Affairs, Changemaking, and Global Education. Declaration of impact: Participants co-created a shared manifesto, pledging collective responsibility and action to drive positive change in their home communities. A special congratulations to our major award winners: Gabriel Domoninge (Ghana), who took home the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens, and John Ofori (Ghana), named Outstanding Youth Delegate. Learn more NOMINATE YOUR AFS ROLEMODELS 2026 AFS Awards open Nominate by September 10, 2026 Every year, AFS honors the extraordinary members of our community driving our global mission. Nominations are officially open for our 2026 awards — including two brand-new categories celebrating local volunteer action and educational leadership. Award categories The AFS Galatti Award: Honoring volunteers with 15+ years of exceptional service. The AFS Peggy and Art Howe Award: Celebrating the dedicated service of AFS volunteer families. AFS Award for Young Volunteers: Highlighting innovative changemakers aged 30 or younger. AFS Community Impact Award: Recognizing local chapters expanding intercultural education in their communities. AFS International Volunteer Action Award (NEW!): Honoring volunteer teams running local projects tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. AFS Global School Award (NEW!): Celebrating Partner Schools leading global citizenship education. Deadline to submit: September 10, 2026 Submit now FROM BATTLEFIELDS TO BRIDGES The 2026 issue of AFS Janus This year’s issue of AFS Janus is out now, asking: What does it take to transform conflict into lasting peace? This edition explores the deep humanitarian roots of AFS forged on the battlefields of World War I, and highlights how today's programs continue to shape global citizens and active peacebuilders. Read the full digital issue now to see how AFS continues to prove that intercultural connection remains our most powerful tool for peace. Explore Janus 2026 GLOBAL UP ABROAD Making study abroad an intentional learning experience for university students More than 350 CUNEF Universidad students in Spain will take part in the Global Competence Certificate (GCC) as they prepare for academic exchanges at nearly 120 universities around the world. Developed by AFS Intercultural Programs and delivered with AIPC Pandora, the GCC helps students build the skills and global competencies needed to navigate differences, reflect on their experiences, and make the most of their time abroad. By combining student mobility with structured intercultural learning, this collaboration offers a model for how higher education institutions can expand their internationalization efforts, treating mobility not as an isolated period abroad, but as a learning journey that begins with preparation, evolves through reflection and experience, and continues well after students return home. Read the full story WORLDWIDE AFS NEWS Academy on climate action and wildlife conservation AFS Kenya This program brought 39 international students on a trip across Kenya, from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. The students learned to protect nature through practical activities: planting local trees in Ngong Forest, learning about clean energy with Maasai guides, and exploring ecosystems in Naivasha and Hell’s Gate. Staying with local families in Kitengela helped them connect nature learning with cultural exchange. Hybrid exchange program AFS Japan & AFS USA A cohort of U.S. high school students recently completed a hybrid exchange program in Japan, combining virtual preparatory learning with a 10-day community immersion hosted by AFS Japan’s Tokyo Tama Chapter. Participants engaged directly with local society by attending high school classes, exploring traditional Japanese culture, visiting community care centers, and delivering their final speeches entirely in Japanese. Supported by the U.S.-Japan Council and AFS USA, this collaborative initiative deepened cross-cultural understanding while inspiring new local host families and volunteers to support the AFS mission. 2026 Volunteer Summer Summit AFS Ireland & EFIL This July over 100 AFS volunteers representing 20+ nationalities gathered in Connemara, Ireland, for the 2026 Volunteer Summer Summit (VSS), hosted by EIL / AFS Ireland and organized by the European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL). Centered on the theme of "Active Digital Citizenship," the week featured 15 interactive workshops on media literacy and community resilience alongside authentic Irish cultural traditions like storytelling and a traditional céilí. Thanks to strong network solidarity, including major sponsorship from AFS Germany via Erasmus+, the event was a resounding success, and volunteers are already looking forward to VSS 2027 in Egypt!