CHENNAI: American Field Service, an international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that facilitates student and teacher exchange programmes across 54 countries, has invited applications from students and teachers from Chennai.

In a presentation made for school principals from leading city schools here on Monday, ACF representatives elaborated on the opportunities that students and teachers were likely to get from these exchange programmes.

The AFS began as a volunteer ambulance corps in 1914. A group of ambulance drivers, who helped transport wounded French soldiers, initiated the movement. Between the wars, they sent students abroad on AFS fellowships. What started off with the U.S. as the primary country expanded to several other countries over the years. Now, AFS facilitates a total of 11,500 student exchange programmes every year.

Besides programmes for high school students and teachers, they also promote volunteer-exchange programmes for youth interested in community service.

Students on exchange programmes would live with a host family in the country they are being sent to.

The programme is aimed at giving the student exposure to their lifestyle, culture and language. Depending on the country to be visited, AFS would put the candidate through a series of preparatory workshops to ensure the student's safety and comfort during the programme.

With several companies coming forward to sponsor candidates, interested students should avail themselves of the opportunities, an AFS spokesperson said.

A few such programmes were already in place in India. Students from here have been sent to several countries including the U.S., Switzerland, Brazil, Germany and Italy. Similarly, families in Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Chennai are have been hosting candidates from other countries.

Selection criteria

Candidates would be selected based on criteria such as academic record, interest in cultures of other countries and performance in extra curricular activities. For further details, visit: www.afs.org/contact or call 011- 4350 1601 or 011 - 4350 1602.

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