AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

What AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland does

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland (AFS Interkulturelle Programme Schweiz) is a non-profit association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Zurich at Birmensdorferstrasse 5, CH-8004. Operating under Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code and part of the broader global AFS network that traces its origins to 1914, the organization delivers intercultural exchange programs for Swiss and international youth, adults, host families, and volunteers. Its core offering is high-school student exchange (Schüleraustausch) lasting one month to a full academic year across more than 50 destination countries, supplemented by adult programs under the Sentio network, host family matching, scholarships, school partnerships, and a specialized LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiative (Queer AFS Switzerland).

The technology underpinning the offering is a proprietary AFS Intercultural Learning Curriculum developed by international AFS experts, comprising 16 learning objectives organized into four areas: Personal Values and Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Cultural Knowledge and Sensitivity, and Global Issues Awareness. This curriculum is delivered through structured student and host family learning journeys covering pre-departure preparation, on-program support, and re-entry orientation. Participant data is managed in a centralized Global Participant Database hosted in data centers in the USA and Thailand, accessible only to AFS staff and trained volunteers; supporting technology integrations are limited to Google Analytics, Piwik, and PayPal.

The business model is a non-profit, multi-stream revenue structure. Direct program fees for participants range from CHF 4,900 to CHF 11,900 plus travel costs of CHF 750 to CHF 3,800 depending on destination and duration. Approximately 550 participants are hosted annually in Switzerland. Supplementary revenue comes from annual membership fees (CHF 100 regular, CHF 20 under-30), private and institutional donations, foundation grants, government support from the confederation and cantons, and a CHF 1,000 host-family contribution recovery for families unable to host. Approximately 20 paid staff (15 FTE) supported by 800+ trained volunteers across regional committees deliver the model, generating no financial profit as a charitable entity. The go-to-market motion is community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-consumer through the afs.ch website, supplemented by social media presence and partnerships with Intermundo, EFIL, UNESCO, and Sentio.

Name

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Legal name

AFS Interkulturelle Programme Schweiz

Website

https://afs.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland is a non-profit association founded in 1953 that delivers intercultural student exchange programs for Swiss and international youth, adults, host families, and volunteers across more than 50 countries, funded through program fees, memberships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB), Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH), International Student Orientation & Transition Programs (EDALANAC)

Keywords

• Student exchange programs
• Intercultural learning
• Host family programs
• Youth exchange services
• Cultural education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Exchange Program Fees: One-time program fees charged to participants, calculated based on destination, duration, and whether the family hosts an exchange student. Prices range from CHF 4,900 to CHF 11,900 for program fees, plus travel costs ranging from CHF 750 to CHF 3,800 depending on region.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: CHF 100 for regular members, CHF 20 for members under 30 years. Members receive publications including the 'Spotlight' donor magazine and 'ACROSS' member magazine.
3. Donations and Scholarships: Private and institutional donations directed toward scholarship funds for financially disadvantaged youth. Corporate and foundation support also contributes to funding.
4. Host Family Contribution Recovery: CHF 1,000 fee charged when families cannot host an exchange student, allocated to host family search activities in Switzerland.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland is a non-profit association that organizes intercultural student exchange programs for Swiss and international youth aged 14-18, placing them with volunteer host families in more than 50 countries for periods ranging from 1 to 12 months. The organization supplements these high school exchanges with adult programs under the Sentio brand (volunteer placements, internships, university semesters, and Global Competence Certificate), host family recruitment and training, scholarship funding for disadvantaged youth (20-30 awards annually), and a proprietary intercultural learning curriculum with 16 learning objectives developed by international experts. All programs are supported by a nationwide network of over 800 volunteers and the AFS global partner network providing 24/7 in-country assistance.

Product overview

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland offers a comprehensive portfolio of intercultural exchange programs centered on its core student exchange offerings for high school students (ages 14-18) studying abroad for 1-12 months in over 50 countries. The organization supplements this with adult programs under the Sentio brand, host family matching services, and volunteer coordination across Switzerland. Key supporting products include specialized initiatives like Queer AFS Switzerland for LGBTQI+ inclusion, Global Citizenship Education curricula, the AFS Student Learning Journey program with 16 learning objectives, and scholarship programs enabling access for financially disadvantaged youth. Additional offerings include AFS ACROSS and Spotlight member/donor magazines, intercultural workshops for schools, and training programs for volunteers and host families. All components are unified under the organization's mission of building bridges between cultures through authentic intercultural experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Queer AFS Switzerland: A sub-initiative focusing on LGBTIQ+ topics and support for queer people during AFS exchange experiences in Switzerland.

Products and services

• Student Exchange Programs (Schüleraustausch) High school exchange programs for students aged 14-18 to study abroad in more than 50 countries for durations of 1-3 months (trimester), 3-4 months (semester), or 8+ months (full academic year). Programs include placement with screened volunteer host families, enrollment in local schools, and the AFS Intercultural Learning Journey curriculum with 16 learning objectives.
• Sentio Adult Programs Intercultural exchange programs for adults aged 18+ including volunteer placements, professional internships, and university semesters abroad, delivered under the Sentio network of which AFS Switzerland is a founding member. Participants may earn the Global Competence Certificate (GCC).
• Host Family Programs Recruitment, preparation, and ongoing support for Swiss families who host international AFS exchange students aged 15-18 for periods of 3-11 months. Host families receive the AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey curriculum and benefit from a CHF 1,000 reduction on their own child's exchange program fees.
• Scholarship Programs
• Queer AFS Switzerland A specialized initiative providing support, visibility, and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ individuals before, during, and after their AFS cultural exchange experience. Includes workshops and a living library of anonymous queer exchange student stories.
• Country-Specific Exchange Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants develop measurable intercultural competencies recognized by universities and employers worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• QueerTausch (AFS Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021LGBTQIA+ initiative from AFS Germany that inspired the creation of Queer AFS Switzerland in 2021. Provides guidance and support for queer inclusion within the AFS community.
• IntermundocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Swiss umbrella association for youth exchange promotion. AFS Switzerland has been a member since 2008. Intermundo certifies quality standards and promotes exchange programs in Switzerland.
• UNESCOmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. AFS was distinguished by UNESCO for its engagement in favor of peace and understanding between peoples in 1989.
• EFIL (Fédération européenne pour l'apprentissage interculturel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean federation for intercultural learning. Most European AFS partners are affiliated with EFIL, which coordinates activities at the European level.
• sentiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of organizations offering intercultural exchange experiences for adults. AFS Switzerland is a founding member, enabling access to extended programs and partner organizations.
• trans welcomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss organization supporting transgender individuals. Queer AFS Switzerland is in the process of becoming a member to improve support for transgender students.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Youth For Understanding (YFU): Non-profit international high school exchange organisation operating in 60+ countries with a volunteer-driven model. Closest structural peer to AFS Switzerland in mission, volunteer dependency, and youth exchange product.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): US-based non-profit operating high school exchange and study abroad programmes across many countries. Comparable on product offering, global destinations, and secondary-school student target segment.
• EF Education First: Global commercial study abroad and exchange provider offering high school, language, and cultural programmes to dozens of countries. Directly comparable to AFS Switzerland on product, customer segment (secondary school and adult), and geographic destinations.
• ASSE International: Non-profit student exchange organisation running secondary school programmes to 30+ countries with host family placement. Comparable to AFS Switzerland on volunteer-led model, pricing, and product.
• International Student Exchange (ISE): Non-profit arranging international high school student exchanges through a global partner network. Similar to AFS Switzerland on host-family-based exchange model and country breadth.
• Nacel Educational Travel: International high school exchange and language programme provider operating in multiple countries. Comparable to AFS Switzerland on school-age participant focus and host family placement.

Regional players

• Experiment e.V. German non-profit offering secondary school exchange and intercultural programmes with strong volunteer base. Comparable on model and mission but operates primarily from Germany with different primary markets than Switzerland.

Others

• Intermundo: Swiss umbrella association for youth exchange organisations of which AFS Switzerland is a member. Not a competitor; rather a sector coordinator and quality certifier (Intermundo-SQS) shaping the competitive environment in which AFS Switzerland operates.
• AFS Intercultural Programs (Global Network): Parent/affiliate global AFS network coordinating AFS chapters in 50+ countries. Not a direct commercial competitor but a closely related entity whose standards, curriculum, and partner network AFS Switzerland depends on.

Emerging players

• Rotary Youth Exchange: Rotary International's long-running youth exchange programme placing secondary school students abroad. Comparable on youth segment and global destinations, but operates as a Rotary service programme rather than a standalone non-profit entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/afsschweiz
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFSswitzerland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/afs-intercultural-programs-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/afsswitzerland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland