Welcome to a new school year! As you open your doors to a fresh class of students, we know this season is filled with energy, optimism, and the vital work of setting the tone for the months ahead.

In a world that often feels polarized, classrooms remain one of the most powerful spaces for building empathy, connection, and peace. Every time you introduce a global perspective, encourage respectful dialogue across differences, or spark curiosity about another culture, you are helping young people look beyond division and see our shared humanity. At AFS-USA, we believe that intercultural learning is not just an enrichment opportunity - it is also an essential foundation for fostering a more just and peaceful world. As I'm sure you'll agree, we all benefit from these activities and discussions not only on a global scale, but also between communities right here at home.

Whether across borders or across our own country, AFS-USA is dedicated to partnering with you to bring these experiences to your students. This year, we are especially excited about several ways our communities can connect:

• Expanding Horizons Through Full Scholarships: Opportunities like the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) - funded jointly by the U.S. and German governments - allow U.S. students to spend a transformative academic year in Germany as youth ambassadors, gaining invaluable civic and cultural insights.
   
• Welcoming the World Home: It’s not too late to bring a global perspective directly to your school community this year. We are actively finalizing host family placements for international exchange students arriving for an academic year or semester. Throughout the year, you can make an immediate impact by offering to host (or by encouraging others in your school community to host) an AFS student. Host with AFS.
   
• Engaging Locally & Domestically: From launching an AFS or International Club at your school to participating in our expanding domestic place-based and dialogue initiatives, there are numerous ways to cultivate global competence without your students having to travel abroad. We also invite your school to partner with AFS to bring together U.S. teenagers from all walks of life to build the skills needed to bridge divides and foster mutual respect, even when opinions, values, and beliefs differ significantly. Learn more about these new initiatives below.
   
• Connecting with Peers: We invite you to join our AFS Educators LinkedIn Community where teachers and administrators across the country can share resources, lesson ideas, and strategies for global education.

Inside this edition of our newsletter, explore upcoming scholarship opportunities, resources for developing active global citizens, and new opportunities to partner with AFS.

Thank you for your tireless dedication, your leadership, and your partnership in preparing the next generation of compassionate global citizens. I wish you and your students a safe, inspiring, and impactful school year. 

With warm regards,

Tara Hofmann
President of AFS-USA

 

Study Abroad Scholarships for U.S. Students
As the school year begins, so too do wonderful scholarship opportunities for U.S. students to study abroad for a year, semester, or summer in 2027. AFS-USA remains committed to making study abroad programs attainable to all students, regardless of personal finances, so don't hesitate to encourage your students to explore the world! Here is a handy flyer to share with students and parents about AFS-USA Scholarships and Aid.

Full Scholarships for a Second Semester Abroad

Encourage students eager to immerse themselves in a new culture to apply to study abroad for a semester on the U.S. Department of State’s fully-funded Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program. High school students and recent graduates explore a new country, broaden their perspectives, and develop language abilities by living with a host family, studying in a local school, and participating in leadership activities. YES students share information about their home culture with their hosts and local communities while building lasting relationships and strengthening linkages between the U.S. and YES countries. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 22nd. Please share or post this flyer.

Full Scholarships to Germany
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), a program of the U.S. Department of State and German Bundestag, provides scholarships for eligible U.S. high school students and recent graduates to spend an academic year of study and cultural immersion in Germany. Scholarship recipients will gain a deeper understanding of German life, history, and politics, all while learning the German language through day-to-day life by attending a German high school and living with a host family. No German language experience is required to participate, as the program includes introductory lessons. The CBYX program is now accepting applications from U.S. high school students for the 2027-28 school year through November 3, 2026. Encourage students to learn more and start their application TODAY. Families are also invited to sign up to host a German CBYX student in their homes.
 

Summer 2027 Scholarship to France
Once again, AFS-USA is partnering with the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) to provide one $7,500 scholarship for a Summer Language program in France. French teachers must be members of AATF to nominate students for this award. Join AATF here. The application and information on how to apply for the 2027 program will be available in October on AFS-USA's website.
 

Cultural Considerations in the Classroom
Are you welcoming students to your school or classroom this year from a country or culture with which you are not familiar? Be sure to check out our complimentary Country-Specific Resources and/or handouts on Cultural Considerations in the Classroom.
 

Fun, Easy Classroom Activities to Develop Communication and Cultural Skills
As you set the tone for your classes and clubs, why not try an interactive, fun activity about listening and effective communication, such as Paper Tear or another of our complimentary Classroom Activities! Most activities share extension ideas for specific subject areas to help you get the most out of these well-received activities.
 

Cultural Agility and Power Skills Consulting Now Available through AFS-USA!
AFS-USA offers enhanced consulting services for schools and community organizations, drawing on nearly 80 years of experience connecting people across cultures and perspectives.

Our tailored, experiential approach helps educators, students, and professionals build cultural agility, communicate across differences, and strengthen interpersonal skills through interactive workshops and training.

Our face-to-face workshops and trainings deliver:

• curated, interactive, and hands-on activities to meet the needs of each audience,
• tools and techniques to encourage intercultural and interpersonal growth,
• effective facilitation of dialogue to build and support communication across differences,
• and an understanding of how to apply power skills as one navigates everyday interactions and challenges.

Volunteer with AFS
As you may know, AFS-USA is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization where local volunteers collaborate with national staff to develop active global citizens. Experience has shown that educators make amazing AFS volunteers, whether they assist incoming exchange students and their host families navigate cultural differences or help prepare U.S. students for international, domestic, or virtual exchange experiences. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at afsusa.org/volunteer-with-afs.

Thank you for partnering with AFS-USA to foster a more just and peaceful world!

Any feedback, questions, or requests can be sent to educators@afsusa.org.