Like many institutions dedicated to education like colleges, universities and research institutes, AFS Interculture Canada relies on the support of the community. Contributions from individuals, foundations and corporate sponsorships help AFS ensure that our programs are high quality and life-changing. Each year, annual fund contributions total nearly $500,000.
AFS Interculture Canada is now campaigning to raise $400,000 in public donations, from people, corporations and institutions wishing to support youth and intercultural learning for Canadian communities. These donations help finance various educational projects and initiatives:
- Grant over $50,000 in scholarships so that a greater number of people can participate in an AFS program, no matter their economical status.
- Grant a scholarship to a native Canadian student for the one year AFS program in Mexico.
- Train volunteers in intercultural education to support participants;
- Publish the training manual Get the best out of your intercultural experience.
- For the 2008-2009 school year, offer a language and intercultural training and certification program for 14 students aged 15 to 18;
- In 2009-2010, expand the training and certification program to every AFS participant in a school program;
- Recruit and train 35 mentors in intercultural education to ensure the supervision or the AFS participants;
- Translate and edit into French Bettina Hansel’s Exchange Students Survival Kit;
- Distribute, free of charge, the book Exchange Students Survival Kit to AFS participants all over Canada;
Please give to AFS Interculture Canada:
1. By cheque: please send your donation (cheque or Money Order) to:
1425, Boul. René-Lévesque W., suite 1100
Montreal (Qc) H3G 1T7
2. By credit card: (514) 288-3282 or 1-800-361-7248 (toll free). We accept Visa and MasterCard
3. Through Canada Helps:
Tax receipt for donations
A tax receipt in Canadian dollars will be given for any donation of $20 or more.
Charitable organization registry number
10007 1927 RR0001
The Core Values and Attributes of AFS
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 seeks to affirm faith 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.
Benefits of Intercultural Study
Participants, volunteers, host families, and the communities that surround them, benefit from the AFS programs and develop intercultural skills. The AFS Intercultural Experience is more than just being in the vicinity of another culture. With a year abroad with AFS you can . . .
- Find out something new about your own culture and point of view by seeing it from a fresh perspective.
- Gain a real understanding of another country and its culture and society.
- Learn a new language
47% of our Year Program Students become fully fluent in the host country language.
Students typically increase 2 levels in their spoken language ability after a school year abroad, even if they start off with no knowledge of the language.
- Build Lasting friendships with people from other cultures.
I have a much greater curiosity about foreigners whom I meet in my city, am more sensitive to certain problems in the world. – former AFS student from Italy
- Feel confident and comfortable with people from other cultures.
The intercultural skills that the AFS participants acquire serve society, and go far beyond a trip abroad. These skills contribute to the international community, and to Canadian society, since they make professionals who are apt for international and fair commerce and international relations – which is more important today than ever before, in our globalized world – and they help Canadians and people of all origins to understand and value each other, thus making our society more just and peaceful.
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