American field service (AFS) Intercultural Program

About AFS AFS is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board. AFS International provides worldwide leadership, coordination, support, quality control and development of AFS organizations and programs. AFS is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board. AFS International provides worldwide leadership, coordination, support, quality control and development of AFS organizations and programs.

About AFS Witness AFS's evolution from its origins as a volunteer ambulance corps in 1914 to what we are today, the world's most experienced international student exchange organization with programs in over 50 countries and over 30,000 volunteers. Witness AFS's evolution from its origins as a volunteer ambulance corps in 1914 to what we are today, the world's most experienced international student exchange organization with programs in over 50 countries and over 30,000 volunteers.

AFS 90 Year History AFS Ambulance Section SSU 10 en route to France, 1916 AFS Ambulance Section SSU 10 en route to France, 1916 WWI – In 1914 A. Piatt Andrew organized the American Field Service (AFS) whose mission was to transport wounded French soldiers. WWI – In 1914 A. Piatt Andrew organized the American Field Service (AFS) whose mission was to transport wounded French soldiers.

AFS 90 Year History A. Piatt Andrew, founder of the American Field Service with Stephen Galatti, Adjutant in the car park at AFS Paris Headquarters, 1917 A. Piatt Andrew, founder of the American Field Service with Stephen Galatti, Adjutant in the car park at AFS Paris Headquarters, 1917

AFS 90 Year History WWI-By 1917, AFS had grown to 2,500 drivers who had carried more than 500,000 wounded. WWI-By 1917, AFS had grown to 2,500 drivers who had carried more than 500,000 wounded.

AFS 90 Year History WWI-Headquarters of SSU 10 in Koritza, Albania, AFS served in the Balkans with the French army of the Orient WWI-Headquarters of SSU 10 in Koritza, Albania, AFS served in the Balkans with the French army of the Orient

AFS 90 Year History Between the wars - Upon A. Piatt Andrew ’ s death, Stephen Galatti became Director General of the organization in 1936 Between the wars - Upon A. Piatt Andrew ’ s death, Stephen Galatti became Director General of the organization in 1936 Stephen Galatti helped create AFS Fellow- ships in French Universities which sent 222 college students both to and from the United States between 1919 and Stephen Galatti helped create AFS Fellow- ships in French Universities which sent 222 college students both to and from the United States between 1919 and 1952.

AFS 90 Year History In September 1939 when WWII began, Stephen Galatti re-organized AFS as a volunteer ambulance corps which served in France, North Africa, Middle East, and Italy. In September 1939 when WWII began, Stephen Galatti re-organized AFS as a volunteer ambulance corps which served in France, North Africa, Middle East, and Italy.

AFS 90 Year History AFS drivers evacuated the wounded of the British Fourteenth and Twelfth armies in India Burma. AFS drivers evacuated the wounded of the British Fourteenth and Twelfth armies in India Burma.

AFS 90 Year History After the war, Stephen Galatti and 250 AFS drivers pledged to sustain their tradition of international service and created the AFS International Scholarships. After the war, Stephen Galatti and 250 AFS drivers pledged to sustain their tradition of international service and created the AFS International Scholarships.

AFS 90 Year History AFS bus trip photo, 1952 AFS bus trip photo, 1952

AFS 90 Year History At the time of Stephen Galatti ’ s death in 1964, the AFS programs included 60 countries. At the time of Stephen Galatti ’ s death in 1964, the AFS programs included 60 countries.

AFS 90 Year History In 1950s-1960s In 1950s-1960s AFS students and chaperones on the westbound crossing of the m/s Seven Seas, August 25, 1964 AFS students and chaperones on the westbound crossing of the m/s Seven Seas, August 25, 1964

AFS 90 Year History 1970s - 80s 1970s - 80s Multinationalization of the program was realized in 1971 with the introduction of multinational students exchanges between countries other than the U.S. Multinationalization of the program was realized in 1971 with the introduction of multinational students exchanges between countries other than the U.S.

AFS 90 Year History

In the 1990 ’ s AFS began its Community Service Programs and extended its network to 52 countries. In the 1990 ’ s AFS began its Community Service Programs and extended its network to 52 countries.

AFS 90 Year History Today 350,000 participants and host families have taken part in AFS exchanges facilitated by 100,000 volunteers. Today 350,000 participants and host families have taken part in AFS exchanges facilitated by 100,000 volunteers.

AFS 90 Year History A profound idea born of war, AFS today is a leader in the field of international cultural exchange. A profound idea born of war, AFS today is a leader in the field of international cultural exchange.

AFS 90 Year History WWII Ambulance drivers at the AFS World Congress in Belgium in 2000, AFS Trustees pictured above are Ward Chamberlin (2nd from left) and Fred Balderston (5th from the left) WWII Ambulance drivers at the AFS World Congress in Belgium in 2000, AFS Trustees pictured above are Ward Chamberlin (2nd from left) and Fred Balderston (5th from the left)