AFSINTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS

Quick FactsAFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Partner organizations in 50 countriesExchanges between 80 countriesInternational exchange since 1919More than 30,000 active volunteers and 100,000 supporters around the worldClose to 11,000 students sent per yearMore than 300,000 program alumniAFS intercultural exchange programs include the highschool exchange for one academic year, semester or trimester. The summer or intensive programs are for one to three months focusing on homestays, language skills, community service or cultural activities. Community Service Program participants volunteer for a semester in one of twenty countries across the globe, to work at local organizations that address community needs, such as helping street children or developing training programs with human rights workers. The educator programs for a year or short study tour allow teachers to the educational systems of other countries experience first hand.

Origins of AFSAFS began as the American Field Service during World War I, when 2,500 Americans volunteered to drive ambulances in France and in the Balkans. Following the war in 1919, AFS Fellowships for French Universities were established. A total of 222 fellowships were awarded between 1919 and 1952.In World War II, another 2,200 men volunteered as AFS ambulance drivers in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, India and Burma. During the two wars, AFS drivers transported more than 1.2 million wounded. At the end of World War II, AFS drivers assisted with the evacuation of over 11,000 survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.AFS Intercultural Programs and its student exchanges began in 1947. Stephen Galatti and 250 AFS ambulance drivers pledged to sustain the tradition and principles of service that the organization was founded on by creating the AFS International Scholarships.

AFS in the WORLD

AFS Turkey The AFS Adventure started in Turkey in year 1952 when for the first time two students took part in the AFS exchange program. In 1974, AFS returnees and the volunteers established Trk Kltr Vakf TKV. TKV is still functioning as the official AFS partner in Turkey. Since 1999, our volunteers, mostly between 20-30 years of age, established the AFSGD, AFS Volunteers Assosiation.Founding member of EFIL European Federation for Intercultural Learning since 1971.

AFS Turkey

04-05 YEAR PROGRAM05-06 YEAR PROGRAM06-07 YEAR PROGRAM07-08 YEAR PROGRAM08-09 YEAR PROGRAM4 USA students4 USA students7 USA students5 USA students12 USA students expected

2004 SUMMER PROGRAM2005 SUMMER PROGRAM2006 SUMMER PROGRAM2007 SUMMER PROGRAM2008 SUMMER PROGRAM4 USA students4 USA students8 USA students10 USA students20 USA students expected

ADAPTATION

AFS IMPACT STUDYA large scale three-year, independent research study of the impact of AFS exchange programs was completed in early 2005 by Dr. Mitchell Hammer of Hammer Consulting, LLC. The studys findings confirm that AFS year programs at the high school level play a critical role in building bridges across cultures. The research shows that AFS programs help young people: Become more competent in crossing culturesFeel more comfortable with people from other culturesBuild more friendships with people from other culturesBecome fluent in the language of their host countryLearn more about their own culture by seeing it from a fresh perspectiveGain a real understanding of another country and its culture and society

The Impact of the AFS Study Abroad Experience So much more than just a year abroadThere may be people who can see the world through only one window. However, I now have individuality within two cultures. When I go back home, perhaps I will feel uncomfortable toward my culture and feel culture shock, but I think that is the process of combining two cultures. When the two are united, and a new individuality is formed, then I see and understand the world not only from one window, but from many different perspectives.AFS IMPACT STUDY

Turkey is a wonderful country with terrific people. They are very open minded and kind hearted people and they have a great food culture. Chelsea Cassel (USA, 2003 AFSer)

We all lived and learned a new life here. It was worth a whole lifetime. I want to return but it will never be the same. Miles of memories remain. Heather Anne Hawkins (USA, 1990)AFS QUOTES

AFS QUOTESTurkey is a country with competent and futuristic people, lasting and deep relationships between friends, a great supportive structure network, a society with many creative solutions who love to have fun, an international curiosity and awareness and a worlds full of opportunities for me to have the time of your life enjoying the beauty and pleasure of living in Turkey. Tan Perry Remington (USA, 2004, AFSer)