Achieve your global ambitions with AFSnext

Quotes from past AFSNext young adults

“My first intercultural experience … really eye-opening.”

“Made me think about my heritage and roots.”

“Inspiring, mind-changing, informative.”

Sawa Sawa Programme Participants

Quote from past AFSNext young adult

“My knowledge has been greatly extended; I’ve learnt in two weeks what it takes a lifetime to learn. This has given me a lot of inspiration and has made me realise I don’t need to be rich before I can bring change in my community and my country as a whole.” Sawa Sawa Programme Participant

“The visits were in line with the strategic goals of AFS; they were very insightful, perception-shifting, challenging, and heart-opening.” Sawa Sawa Programme Participant

What’s your passion?

Internships

Boost your job prospects with an international workplace training in your desired profession. See what your studies look like in a business, government or NGO, while making your CV or resume more attractive to employers.

Language Learning

Practice your new language in real world settings. Plus, enjoying the customs and traditions of a new culture is easier when you are fluent in the language.

Volunteer Abroad

Tackle an issue that you are passionate about. AFSNext lets you choose your area of interest—from working with youth to environmental issues—in a part of the world that you would like to work in and learn from.

Teaching

Spend some time in another country, exploring another educational system, from a few weeks to a year. Share your experience with other teachers and students abroad in a new cultural setting.

Gap Year Opportunities

Go abroad for a few weeks, a few months or longer. Develop new life skills, find your passion, learn another language and make friends in cool places. All great ways to prepare for college, and learn to be more independent.

Study Abroad

Combine academic classes in any discipline or field of study with an international experience. Enhance your academic learning by working with new professors with different perspectives.

The next generation of outstanding AFS programmes.

Trusted organisation. Proven track record. Lifelong connections.

Born from AFS values, AFSNext programmes are organised by a network of well-respected AFS and other organisations. We help adults find the right international programme to achieve your personal and professional goals. Benefit from an international community of friends, qualified staff and passionate volunteers ready to help you achieve your dreams.

FAQ

Stand out from your peers by adding “global” to your personal and professional identity. Stimulating AFSNext experiences provide young adults with a clear advantage in many ways and every profession—at home and around the world. That’s because living, studying, working and volunteering abroad helps you become more confident in unfamiliar settings, while sharpening practical cross-cultural skills valued in many universities, NGOs and workplaces.

Gain global competence

AFSNext participants are supported by a Global Competence Certificate programme that will help you better navigate your international experience and prepare you for a lifetime of cross-cultural encounters.

Build essential skills for an international workforce

Learn another language to communicate across cultures

Enhance any professional study with global experience

Experience another country without being a tourist

Volunteer on the other side of the world

The Global Competence Certificate

AN IMPORTANT CREDENTIAL FOR INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONALS

This state-of-the-art Global Competence Certificate (GCC) programme prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your AFSNext experience and long after you finish the programme. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organisations believe will help achieve their social impact goals.