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AFS-USA

4.81 Rating
163 reviews
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Why choose AFS-USA?

AFS-USA (formerly the American Field Service) is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to intercultural learning and global exchange. For more than 75 years, we’ve connected students, families, and communities across cultures through international exchange programs in over 50 countries.

Each AFS organization around the world operates as an independent nonprofit, supported by passionate volunteers, a professional staff, and a volunteer board of directors. With more than seven decades of experience in international education, AFS-USA is proud to uphold an outstanding record of safety, support, and service for students, parents, and educators alike.

Website
www.afsusa.org
Founded
1947
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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

Community Photos

Visiting AFS Reichstags with AFS students
Visiting German Reichstags with AFS students
AFS tour with other exchange students in Hamburg
Ski trip with host family and natural family in Austria
hiking in Schwarzwald with host mom Nadja
Freiburg im Breisgau at sunset with host mom and friend
Strawberry picking with host dad
Tour of Hamburg Rathaus
Dirndl try on with host mom
My Local Chapter of Students
Lasting Friendships
Me and friends at a Rosenmontag parade in Mainz
Playa hermosa trip
Saying goodbye to my Japanese archery team (Kyudo)
End of year Intercultura camp with Sardinia's AFS students
My Sardinian host family

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Scholarships

AFS-USA Scholarships

AFS Global Citizen Scholarships & Aid

Through the help of generous donors, we offer students $1 million in partial to full scholarships for summer, semester, and yearlong AFS-USA study abroad programs. AFS scholarships honor students’ initiative and commitment while providing financial assistance to help more young people experience life abroad.

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Upcoming Events

  1. Tue 3 November
    AFS-USA Study Abroad Info Session

    Whether you’re a student, parent, or just curious, these sessions provide valuable insights from experienced AFS-USA staff. Learn about the benefits of cultural exchange and discover how studying abroad with AFS broadens horizons and builds meaningful global connections.

    Hosted By:
    AFS-USA
    Register
  2. Thu 5 November
    AFS-USA Study Abroad Info Session

    Whether you’re a student, parent, or just curious, these sessions provide valuable insights from experienced AFS-USA staff. Learn about the benefits of cultural exchange and discover how studying abroad with AFS broadens horizons and builds meaningful global connections.

    Hosted By:
    AFS-USA
    Register

Reviews

Henrietta
16
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
AFS Year and Semester High School Abroad in France

AFS Study Abroad in France

Oct 31, 2026

At 16, I spent my junior year abroad in France with AFS. I had a wonderful experience, and AFS was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout my program. I was placed in an amazing host family, and the orientations at the beginning and end of my program were very helpful. The orientations allowed me to connect with other students from many different places, and I became a more open-minded person with AFS. I would definitely recommend this program to any high school student looking to study abroad.

Samantha
15
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
AFS Year and Semester High School Abroad in Germany

Best year of my life with AFS!

Oct 31, 2026

I spent my sophomore year abroad with AFS-CBYX in Hamburg, Germany. I lived with an amazing host family and attended a German Gymnasium in the 10th grade. Along with the friends I made at school and in my community, I also joined the AFS exchange student network in Hamburg and now have lifelong friends around the world. I learned so much, from being independent in Europe to becoming proficient in German and trying new activities like Handball. AFS provided so much structure and opportunities to travel and get so much out of this experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take every chance you get. My favorite memories came from my most spontaneous moments - a last-minute weekend trip to Berlin with some friends, Christmas Market hopping on a rainy Saturday in Hamburg, or a New Year's polar plunge with my host family on the Baltic Sea. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, and have unforgettable experiences.
Pros
  • Achieved German proficiency
  • Made lasting relationships with host family and community
  • Became independent and gained more self-confidence
What other participants should know
  • AFS has an extensive support network that you can depend upon throughout your exchange year
  • Everyone is so friendly and welcoming - don't be afraid to put yourself out there
  • There are so many opportunities to travel and have incredible new experiences
Dirndl try on with host mom
Tour of Hamburg Rathaus
Strawberry picking with host dad
Freiburg im Breisgau at sunset with host mom and friend
hiking in Schwarzwald with host mom Nadja
Ski trip with host family and natural family in Austria
AFS tour with other exchange students in Hamburg
Visiting German Reichstags with AFS students
Visiting AFS Reichstags with AFS students
Bridget
15
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
AFS Year and Semester High School Abroad in Italy

My AFS experience as an American in Italy

Oct 30, 2026

With AFS I got the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame! I was the Italy the year of the Olympics and got the opportunity to be one of the torch bearers during the lead up to the events. With AFS I had a nice host family, made friends with people from so many places, from Iceland to Brazil all the way to Australia! Of course it did have its down, I had some small struggles with my host family, but AFSs coordinator in my city was such a big help in solving any issues that did arise. My year abroad was one of the best years I’ve ever had.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If could do it again one thing I would change is learning the language. It’s a new challenge when you go to a country with a foreign language, thankfully most kids in my generation use social media, and with social media comes English. While the language barrier is the end all be all it can make it difficult when navigating on your own and making new friends
Pros
  • Self confidence
  • Personal growth
  • New friends
What other participants should know
  • It’s not always easy but it’s worth it
  • You only live once
Lasting Friendships
My Local Chapter of Students
Maria
16
Female
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
AFS Year and Semester High School Abroad in Germany

A Life-changing Experience

Oct 30, 2026

My year abroad was one of the best decisions that I've ever made. Throughout the entire application process, I was fully supported and especially in my host country, I was placed with an amazing family. I went from knowing basically no German, to complete fluency in the span of 10 months, and beyond this, I learned how to work with people who are are fundamentally different from me. I learned to look at things from another perspective and to better respect beliefs wildly different from my own and engage in healthy debate. I grew not only academically, but also as a person. This experience allowed me to grow into my own person, and it would not have been possible without the support of the AFS team

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I was at a Chinese buffet with friends, and there I got to try some funny things like horse and kangaroo!
Pros
  • Prepared me for college
  • Challenged me academically
  • Gave me a wider perspective
What other participants should know
  • You will not be completely fluent a for a while, and that is okay.
  • Culture shock is a thing.
  • Most problems can be solved through a simple conversation
Me and friends at a Rosenmontag parade in Mainz
Elijah
Male
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
AFS Year and Semester High School Abroad in Costa Rica

Expanding horizons

Dec 11, 2025

Starting off and getting ready to leave my country I didn’t know what to expect. I have had no friends who had ever done an exchange year so I was about to endure an extremely mysterious experience. Now being back I can say that I could have never expected the amount of emotional, mental and maturity growth I went through, and the amount of independence I had while I was in Costa Rica has helped me the second I have been back and will continue help my future of college and travels. If it weren’t for this immense growing experience I wouldn’t be close to the same person I am today.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I learned how to surf while I was there which was a skill I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to acquire living in landlocked colorado.
Pros
  • Independence
  • Meeting amazing new people
  • Seeing things you never have before
What other participants should know
  • A large challenge
  • Miss family
  • Difficult learning other languages
Playa hermosa trip
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 25

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Jennifer Duncan

Program
AFS Study Abroad Summer Program in Finland
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Why did you choose this program?

I chose the Finland Summer Home-stay program because it was the perfect choice for the amount of time I had to go abroad, as well as the kind of cultural experience I was looking for.

I had graduated from high school that spring and was already enrolled in university for the fall, so I needed a summer trip. Knowing the trip would be short, I wanted to make sure there wasn't going to be a language barrier to stop me from really getting to know my host family, but still somewhere with a very different culture.

The Scandinavian and Nordic countries were perfect; of them, I chose Finland due to the offer of a summer home-stay that would really let me immerse myself in the culture.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider was AFS, and they assisted with some of the financial aspects by offering a scholarship and multiple fundraising options. They also organized all required seminars before and during the trip, as well as all international travels to Finland until we were placed with our host families.

The trip began in New York where one of the mandatory seminars took place before we left for Finland. Domestic flights or other travel costs and arrangements were not made by AFS and had to be taken care of by yourself. However, they do make arrangements to pick you up at the airport in New York at specific times and contact you to make sure you arrived safely. Passports, visas, and all medical requirements also have to be organized on your own.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Honestly, I wish I'd been able to stay longer. I love my host family, and loved my time abroad, so my only advice would be that if you want to go abroad, or even just thinking about it, start planning and researching as soon as possible.

I was already in my senior year of high school and enrolled in college when on a whim, I decided I wanted to go to Finland. I only wish I'd given myself more time to be there. Aside from that, another piece of advice is to experience as many new things as possible! This trip is about learning, exploring, and having fun; don't let fear or insecurity get in the way of that.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day or week will definitely depend on what you're interested in and what your host family is interested in. Hiking, fishing, swimming, and other activities in nature are very popular in Finland due to their abundance of beautiful forests and lakes. Many families also have a summer cottage where you can really enjoy nature out of the city.

There's also roasting sausages over the fire, shopping in the city, and maybe even a trip to an amusement park (such as Linnanmäki or Särkänniemi) if you're lucky. Oh, and of course, you can expect to see lots of ice cream stands!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I didn't really have any fears before the trip, aside from the nervous week or so while I waited for the results of my scholarship application. Luckily, things worked themselves out, and after that, I wasn't afraid until I was sitting alone on an 11 PM flight to New York.

What if this was a huge mistake? What if I missed my layover flight? I had worked so hard to get here; what if this was a waste of time and money?

I overcame it by keeping myself busy; I went over my itinerary and airport maps, organized my papers and plane tickets.

Airports can be stressful, especially if it's your first time travelling alone, but by the end of my trip, I had been on 8 airplanes through 7 different airports through three countries, and everything worked itself out fine. In fact, better than fine, it was really cool and fun! I got to fly over the Pentagon and watch the sunrise over Iceland!

What was your favorite part of the trip?

I loved everything about my trip, and I am especially grateful for the amazing family I was paired with. I was also very lucky that my family loves to travel, and took me to lots of different cities all over Finland.

My favorite trip was probably to the city Tampere. The city was built between two lakes, and it was built right over the river connecting the lakes. I loved all the bridges, trains, and the old industrial brick factories, and the cool malls and art galleries many of those old factories now contain. One of the days we were there, we left the city to go hiking. After making our way down a small ravine, we got to roast sausages and marshmallows by a lake, before walking on wooden planks through a bog.

Professional Associations

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