AFS-USA Kicks Off the Project: Change Scholarship Contest

New York, NY, October 30, 2014— AFS-USA, a global leader in intercultural student exchange programming, is asking American 8th-12th graders: What is one problem in the world that you would like to solve, and what type of volunteer project would you design to help solve it?” Students are asked to submit a short essay or video outlining their idea for a volunteer project that could have a meaningful impact abroad. Projects can take place in any of 14 countries, and should focus on one of five key issue areas: arts & technology, education, health & nutrition, sustainability, and human rights & cultural understanding.

The winning student will get to put their vision into action on a free, two-week program abroad that is designed by AFS around their project idea. Four additional winners will receive full scholarships to participate in the winning project.

Project: Change was launched by AFS-USA in celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of its founders, the American Field Service volunteer ambulance drivers of WWI and WWII. The contest embraces that same spirit of volunteerism and celebrates the power of individuals to effect change.

The deadline for submissions is December 10th. Winners will be announced in January, 2015. For details, submission guidelines and entry form, please visit: www.projectchange.me.

AFS, a worldwide, nonprofit organization, has been leading international high school student exchanges for more than 65 years. Each year, AFS-USA sends more than 1,100 U.S. students abroad, provides approximately $3 million in scholarship and financial aid and welcomes more than 2,300 international high school students who come to study in U.S. high schools and live with host families.