Global Educator Newsletter

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As November arrives, so does one of our favorite celebrations of the school year: Global Learning Week (November 16–20, 2026)!

Global Learning Week reminds us that we don’t need to cross an ocean to open doors to the world. Every day in your classrooms, you create spaces where curiosity replaces apprehension, and differences become bridges rather than barriers. Whether you invite an international exchange student to present to your class, facilitate a discussion on cross-cultural perspectives, or bring students together to celebrate shared traditions, you are helping young people build essential global competence right here at home.

At AFS-USA, our commitment to bridging divides extends beyond international borders and right into our own communities. Building on the momentum and success of our newly launched domestic programs this past summer, we continue to see how transformative it is when young people from different backgrounds, U.S. regions, and walks of life connect to discover common ground and foster mutual respect.

In honor of Global Learning Week, this edition of the Global Educator Newsletter is packed with practical ideas, key deadlines, and ways to celebrate global citizenship throughout your school and community:

Bringing Global Learning to Life: Check out our featured educator resource on hosting an exchange student panel, where visiting international students and returning study abroad alumni share firsthand stories to ignite the joy of exchange among their peers.
Welcoming the World & Earning Recognition: Learn how your school can welcome international students arriving this January or prepare for next fall. Hosting U.S. Department of State scholarship recipients (such as YES, FLEX Global, or CBYX) can also earn your school prestigious Medallion Member School recognition.
Study Abroad Scholarships on the Horizon: Encourage your students to explore life-changing global experiences before upcoming deadlines, including FLEX Global Abroad (November 30), AFS-USA Study Abroad Scholarships and Financial Aid (December 1), and specialized awards such as our partnership with AATF (December 3).
Celebrating Global Leaders: Help us honor outstanding dedication to global learning by nominating an inspiring colleague, your school, or yourself for an AFS-USA Global Award.

Whether you’re planning an International Night, organizing a panel, or guiding a student through a scholarship application, thank you for your vision and partnership. You are shaping the next generation of empathetic, globally-minded leaders, one conversation at a time.

Wishing you a vibrant and inspiring Global Learning Week!

With warm regards,

Tara Hofmann
President of AFS-USA

Bring Global Learning to Life During Global Learning Week and Beyond!
While there are many ways to celebrate Global Learning Week November 16-20th, one option is to host a Student Exchange Panel. Invite your school’s current exchange students and U.S. students who have recently studied abroad (or contact us if you need to borrow other students in the area!), arrange the time and place, and follow our tried-and-true Tips for Student Exchange Panels. Audiences love to hear surprising things about teenage life from around the world: “You can’t drive until you are 21 in your country?!” “You went home for lunch every day instead of eating at school?!”

If you like this idea but would rather not host a panel yourself, let us know, and we can arrange for an AFS volunteer or staff member to host one for your class or school in person or virtually!

Bring the World to Your School This Spring!
Looking to bring a global perspective to your school? Schools and families across the U.S. can welcome an international high school student in January. Hosting an AFS exchange student brings new perspectives into classrooms, homes, and communities as students from around the world share their cultures, attend local high schools, and experience everyday life in the U.S.

AFS-USA is once again partnering with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to welcome students through the fully-funded, merit-based Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. Hosting a YES student is a high-impact way to internationalize your school community. By inviting one of these bright, hard-working students to your community, your school will also earn a Medallion through the U.S. Department of State.

Interested in learning more about welcoming a student in January or recommending a potential host family? Visit afsusa.org/host or email hosting@afsusa.org.

Scholarships for U.S. Students
Global Learning Week is a great time to encourage students to plan for a global learning experience in 2027 or beyond. This could mean a year or semester abroad, a virtual experience, or an international or domestic summer exchange experience. Review these scholarship opportunities and share them with students ready to explore their world.

FLEX Global Abroad Program for the 2027-28 Academic Year
Application Deadline: November 30, 2026
The FLEX Global Abroad program is a merit-based program through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for U.S. high school students to live with a host family and attend a local high school for an academic year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, or Thailand.Through FLEX Global Abroad, students will develop leadership, language, and professional skills while expanding their worldview and gaining a new, lifelong network of friends and family overseas. Students will also share about the U.S. with their hosts and local communities, build lasting relationships, and strengthen ties between the U.S. and their host countries.

Please share this digital brochure and Instagram post with your school community so local students can take advantage of this fully-funded opportunity!

AFS-USA Study Abroad Scholarships and Financial Aid
Through the help of generous donors, AFS-USA offers students partial to full scholarships for summer, semester, trimester, and yearlong AFS-USA study abroad programs. AFS-USA scholarships honor students’ initiative and commitment while providing financial assistance to help more young people experience life in a new place. Students who complete a scholarship application by the scholarship deadline will be evaluated for scholarship funding based on financial need and the strength of their application. The deadline for 2027-28 year, semester, and trimester programs is December 1st. The summer program scholarship deadline is March 1, 2027.

Nominate a French Language Student for a Summer Language Camp Experience
Nomination Deadline: December 3, 2026
AFS-USA and the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) are proud to award a $7,500 scholarship to a high school student interested in strengthening their French language skills and exploring the Francophone world. The scholarship supports participation in the AFS France 2027 Summer Language Camp, encouraging authentic French language experiences and recognizing promising students through teacher nominations. Learn more and nominate a student by December 3rd!

Submit a Nomination for a Global Award!
AFS-USA is now accepting nominations for the AFS-USA Global Educator and Global School of the Year Awards! Please consider nominating yourself, your school, or someone you know who exemplifies the ideals of intercultural learning through their curriculum and partnerships. The nomination deadline is December 15th.

Do you want to be kept in the loop about AFS-USA scholarships and other opportunities more than once a quarter? Join our LinkedIn Group! Contact educators@afsusa.org with any questions, suggestions, or ideas - we’d love to hear how we can support you in developing active global citizens!