Group programs informations

Group Program2012

AFS Interculture Canada - www.afscanada.org - 1-800-361-7248

Over 60 years of experience have made AFS a world leader in intercultural learning, offering exchange programs

to students and youths. Over 13,000 participants worldwide live the unique and exceptional AFS experience

each year. We believe that the development of intercultural and language skills in a global world are a precious

asset for the future of youths, professionally and on a personal level. Many years after their stay abroad,

participants on our programs say that “AFS has changed my life”. We are proud to have contributed to changing

the lives of hundreds of thousands of youths who have experienced AFS.

We’re happy to bring our contribution to the creation of a more just and peaceful world, to have brought youths

and families windows on the world, appreciation of cultural differences, values of dignity and respect for human

rights without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status.

Our experience allows us to offer our participants stimulating, secure and high quality programs, thanks to

the support of over 40,000 volunteers in 76 countries, qualified employees, rigorous guidelines and the use of

technologies.

Executive Director

A Message from the Executive Director

AFS 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.

AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity and intolerance.

AFS believes in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status. AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.

During World Wars I and II, volunteer ambulance drivers from the American Field Service helped the wounded on the battlefields.

In 1946, the ambulance drivers decided to create an international student exchange network to promote a better understanding between peoples. Since then, over 325,000 participants took part in an AFS program.

AFS is the most important non-profit, volunteer organization. We have AFS partners in over 70 countries, each with its own network of volunteers and professional employees.

AFS Statement of Purpose, Core Values and Attributes

AFS History

Intercultural Learning

There are hundreds of prejudices about other cultures that are usually founded on limited knowledge. Living in a new culture via an AFS experience allows to remove one’s prejudices, build intercultural relations and deepen the understanding of one’s own culture.

By welcoming foreign participants, host families go far beyond any stereotype that they might have. Intercultural learning with AFS Interculture Canada is more necessary than ever.

Recently, Dr. Mitchell Hammer of Hammer Consulting and American University, completed a three-year independent study of the AFS program. According to Dr. Hammer, results confirm that international student exchanges at the high school level play a critical role in building bridges across cultural differences. Students return home with improved abilities to navigate across cultural boundaries.

The study findings show that the AFS programs help young people:

• Fit in, feel at ease and develop strong friendships with people of different cultures.

• Become fluent in a foreign language.• Acquire a better general knowledge of the host culture.


Living With a Host Family

Every participant on an AFS program lives with a host family. We believe it is the best way to discover another culture, improve your knowledge of the local language and to create bonds!

Families host on a volunteer basis. They host a youth at home out of interest towards other cultures and to contribute to AFS’ mission of better understanding between peoples and building a more just and peaceful world.

The host family is asked to provide a secure and healthy home and daily meals. However, the family house is not an inn: a hosted participant must eventually feel he or she is part of the family, with the same rights and responsibilities as the other member of the same age and gender.The host family becomes the benchmark of the participant. Hence, the family commits to:

- Bring reasonable supervision and availability

- Communicate clearly the house rules to the participant

- Help the participant to learn the language of the hosting region

- Support the student in his or her integration in the local school and community and establish a significant and harmonious bond with him or her

- Collaborate with AFS and respect AFS rules and standards

AFS carefully selects host families and checks for past records of criminal offences related to abuse and family violence. AFS makes no distinction as to race, language, religion or social status in the selection of host families. The participant is a member of the family just as everybody else in the family. He or she will blossom in a secure and warm atmosphere and create bonds that may last a lifetime!

• AFS Interculture Canada along with the person in charge of the group will discuss differents options.

• AFS Interculture Canada will present a group program summary. Once accepted, the person in charge need to sign it.

• The recruitment activities should begin. We suggest you to do an information session with future participants & parents. AFS can help you to plan this event.

• Participants fill out the application form. The application forms are sent to AFS’s office as soon as possible. AFS need the exact names and addresses of the participant as well as a photocopy of their passport.

• Upon reception, they will receive a participation agreement. The participant agreements are sent to AFS’s office as soon as possible and within 10 days of reception. A deposit of 200$ per participant is required with their participation agreement.

• AFS will verify that all applications are complete and will send them to the Host Country Partner. AFS Interculture Canada needs their approval before bying the airline tickets.

• Fundraising activities begin. The funds raised must be sent to AFS Interculture Canada at the latest 1 month prior to departure; however, we suggest sending in the donations as they are received.

• Participation fees covering the International flights must be completely paid at the latest 3 months prior to departure.

• AFS Interculture Canada purchases the airline tickets only if the payments covering the International flights are all complete, all complete final application and passport copies at the office.

• An information and orientation session, done by AFS Interculture Canada, is scheduled two weeks prior to departure.

• Departure

• An orientation session will be done in the host country upon arrival.

• Stay

• Return

• Post mortem information session held by AFS with participants and chaperones

Participation fees: The participation fees are based on air tickets at 1400$ / participant. If the airfare is lower, AFS will reimburse the difference to the participants. If higher, AFS will charge the difference to the participants.

Chaperones: AFS Interculture Canada is accepting 1 free chaperone per 10 participants (the first one with 10 participants, the second free of charge with 20 participants).


Steps to follow to do a school group with AFS

Group Proposal

Costa Rica

Details:Participants will meet AFS volunteers and go to the hostel for 1 night in San Jose. Participants will meet the volunteers for an orientation session. Transfer to host community by bus. Participants will be host in two different communities in the same province.

Work project and local expert helping the group with the technical side of the work, recreational activities depending on the exact location. We will offer two types of community work:1: the students in this group will help the local community by painting school classes and similar activities.2: the students in this group will work in the environment preservation field. There are many protected forest and parks in this province.

Middle stay: Depending of the weather, the participants will have a day at the beach and a day tour in the rain forest. Local activities with volunteers and families.

End of stay: The predeparture orientation will only be when the group arrives in the afternoon, overnight stay. The program evaluation in the evening and departure the next day.

Stephanie Girouard, Program Development & Communication Director 514 288-3282 ext. 2271-800-361-7248Fax : 514 [email protected]

Group Proposal

Honduras

Details: Participant will stay with Host families and do community work as well as local activities. This program includes a t-shirt and the departure airport taxs, arrival and departure assistance, welcome and farewell ceremony, arrival orientation (one day) with lunch included. Transportation to and from the project, materials for the project, lunch while at the project,

Visits:Visit to the Mayan Ruins to Copán with transportation, meals and lodging, entrance fee to the archeological park and visit of two museums. A tour to the capital and the visit to a museum.

Stephanie Girouard, Program Development & Communication Director514 288-3282 ext. 2271-800-361-7248Fax : 514 [email protected]

Group Proposal

Dominican Republic

Details: The participants will be placed in two different cities: Santo Domingo and Santiago.

Possible type of work:Santo DomingoCollaborating with a local CPO called “Un techo para mi país” who build temporary houses and later organize another journey to paint them or with the Ministry of Environment, renewing paths at the National Parks, recycling, buildings ships and rustic ornaments and signs; cleaning creeks, etc.

SantiagoCollaborating with a local CPO called “SOECI” which is also related to Environmental work. They act as guardians of the Diego de Ocampo peak, so they act as rangers.

Cultural activities:-Visit to the Historical center of Santo Domingo

-Visit to National Parks

-trip to visit the Sanctuary of the Whales

-Visit to local museums

-Activities with the local volunteers and Host school

-Closure activity

Stephanie Girouard, Program Development & Communication Director at:514 288-3282 ext. 2271-800-361-7248Fax : 514 [email protected]

Group Proposal

Bolivia

Details:Participants will arrive to La Paz. Upon arrival, an orientation session will be held. Participans will stay with host families, do community work, visits and local activities.

Work type: Physical work at CPO as painting, planting, building, etc... Placement: In host families. Most of the placement will be 2 participants per host families and the chaperones in hotel.

Visit: Visit to the Titicaca Lake for 2 days and 1 night. Museum visit too.


Group Proposal

Panama

Participants will arrive to Panama City. Upon arrival, an orientation session will be held. They will have one night in Panama City and the day after, transfer to the host community.

Details: Participans will stay with host families, do community work, visits and local activities.

Work type: Physical work at CPO as painting, planting, building, etc... Placement: In host families. Participants and chaperones will stay in host families.

Visit: Visit the Kuna community, local activities, Panama City Tour and Panama Canal.


Documents

Group programs informations