AFS Interculture South Africa

What AFS Interculture South Africa does

AFS Interculture South Africa is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation and the South African member of the global AFS Intercultural Programs network, headquartered in Northcliff, Johannesburg. It facilitates outbound cultural exchange programs for South African high school students (typically ages 14-18) and adults (18+), as well as inbound hosting of international students with local host families. Its product portfolio spans short-term intensive programs (R85,000-R95,000), semester programs (R95,000-R185,000), full academic-year programs priced up to R220,000 (e.g., USA), and specialized offerings including the BP-funded Global STEM Academies, the Salaam Muslim Program Exchange, the Brazil Internship Program, and an Educator Leadership & Curriculum Exchange in China.

The organisation's underlying technology is modest and primarily web-based: a marketing and inquiry site (www.afs.org.za), online application forms, and online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions that deliver the Global Competence Certificate (GCC). There is no disclosed proprietary technology stack, mobile app, API, or AI system. Distribution runs through the Johannesburg national office, regional volunteer chapters, school partnerships, and presence at industry events (e.g., IIE Generation Study Abroad Summit), with community-led recruitment and multi-channel social media as supporting GTM layers.

AFS generates revenue primarily from one-time program fees paid by participants and their families, supplemented by donations from individuals and corporate sponsors (BP is a named sponsor of the STEM scholarship program). Pricing is published in South African Rand and varies by destination, duration, and inclusions; full and partial scholarships are offered through corporate and community sponsorship to support participants with financial need. The model is volunteer-driven and depends on a global network spanning approximately 60 countries to deliver destination breadth, host family screening, in-country support, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

Name

AFS Interculture South Africa

Legal name

AFS Interculture South Africa

Website

https://afs.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AFS Interculture South Africa is a Johannesburg-based non-profit that delivers outbound cultural exchange programs for South African high-school students and adults, plus inbound student hosting, across a 60-country global AFS network. Revenue comes from program fees and corporate/individual donations supporting scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange & Intercultural Learning Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH), Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC), Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• Intercultural learning
• Study abroad programs
• High school exchange
• Global citizenship education

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: One-time fees charged for exchange programs. Programs range from short-term intensive exchanges (1-3 months) to full academic year programs (8+ months). Fees vary by destination country, program duration, and included services.
2. Donations and Scholarships: AFS accepts donations from individuals and corporate sponsors to fund scholarships and support participants who may not have the financial means to participate. BP is a named corporate sponsor for the Global STEM Academies scholarship program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AFS Interculture South Africa is a non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities through high school year abroad, short-term study abroad, adult (AFSNext), and specialized scholarship programs. Participants live with host families in destination countries and receive comprehensive support including pre-departure and in-country orientations, school placement, visa assistance, and 24/7 emergency support. Programs span 20+ destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.

Product overview

AFS Interculture South Africa operates as a non-profit cultural exchange organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of intercultural learning programs. The core offerings include High School Year Abroad Programs (full-year exchanges across 20+ countries), Short-Term Study Abroad Programs (intensive 1-4 month options), and AFSNext Adult Programs. Supporting services include Host Family Programs, Volunteer Programs, and AFS Education initiatives. Specialized offerings include the AFS Global STEM Academies (scholarship-based STEM programs in partnership with BP), the Salaam Muslim Program Exchange (halal-compliant programs), Brazil Internship Programs, Community Service Programs in India, and the Educational Leadership & Curriculum Exchange for professional development. The organization connects South African students with exchange opportunities worldwide while facilitating cultural understanding and global citizenship development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AFS: AFS (originally American Friends Service) is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
• AFSNext
• Salaam Programme
• AFS Global STEM Academies
• Community Service Program Semester
• Brazil Internship Program
• AFS South Africa Educational Leadership & Curriculum Exchange

Products and services

• High School Year Abroad Programs Full-year and semester exchange programs allowing high school students (typically ages 14-18) to study abroad in countries including USA, Japan, China, France, Italy, Panama, Norway, Netherlands, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay. Students live with host families and attend local schools.
• Short-Term Study Abroad Programs Intensive short-term exchange programs ranging from less than 1 month to 3-4 months, including high school intensive programs in France, Italy, and Malaysia for students aged 14-18.
• AFSNext Adult Programs Intercultural learning programs for adults 18 years and older, including study abroad, volunteer opportunities, and professional exchange experiences with Global Competence Certificate (GCC) outcomes.
• AFS Global STEM Academies Scholarship-based four-week STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) study abroad programs in partnership with BP, offered in Brazil, Egypt, India, and China with focus on climate change and energy transition.
• Salaam Muslim Program Exchange Fully halal exchange program for Muslim high school students (ages 14 years 6 months to 17 years 9 months) offering two-month intensive programs in Egypt, Indonesia, and Malaysia with cultural immersion and Islamic heritage focus.
• Brazil Internship Program Volunteer internship program in Brazil for adults aged 18-35, lasting 4-16 weeks, involving community service in K-12 school communities with Global Competence Certification and Portuguese language training.
• Community Service Program Semester (India) Gap year volunteer and IT programs in India for high school graduates, combining community development initiatives with university preparation, with costs ranging from R95,000 to R185,000.
• Educational Leadership & Curriculum Exchange Professional exchange program for teachers, curriculum designers, and school leaders to experience China's education system, including school visits, pedagogical exchange, and professional learning in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
• Host Family Programs Programs that enable local families to host international AFS exchange students, providing cultural immersion opportunities for both host families and students.
• Volunteer Programs Volunteer opportunities for community members to support AFS exchange activities, including local group leadership, participant support, and community engagement roles.

Quantifiable outcome

• AFS Global STEM Academies scholarship program offers 110 full scholarships in partnership with BP for STEM-focused study abroad in Brazil, Egypt, India, and China

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IIE (Institute of International Education): Major non-profit administering Fulbright and the Generation Study Abroad initiative. Overlaps with AFS South Africa on educator mobility (Generation Study Abroad Summit), policy advocacy, and study-abroad research.
• EF Education First: Global for-profit education company offering language immersion, study abroad, and gap year programs. Competes with AFS South Africa on adult and short-term study abroad, particularly for premium-priced destinations like the USA and Europe.
• AFS Intercultural Programs (Global HQ): Global parent network of which AFS South Africa is a national member. Operates the worldwide volunteer infrastructure, GCC program, and BP/STEM Academy partnerships that AFS South Africa distributes locally.

Direct peers

• Rotary International Youth Exchange: Volunteer-driven, non-profit youth exchange program operating in 100+ countries. Competes on long-term full-year exchanges for high school students, with similar host-family and club-based delivery model.
• World Learning (School for International Training): Non-profit operating high school semester abroad, gap year, and SIT Study Abroad programs. Comparable on mission (intercultural learning), target age, and global network distribution model.
• Projects Abroad: For-profit provider of volunteer abroad, internships, and gap year programs in 30+ destinations. Directly competes with AFSNext adult and Brazil/India Community Service offerings on volunteer and internship abroad.
• AIESEC: Global youth-run non-profit offering international internships and volunteer experiences. Overlaps with AFSNext adult programs and the Brazil Internship Program on cross-border youth mobility for ages 18-30.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Major US-based non-profit offering high school study abroad, gap year, and faculty-led programs across dozens of countries. Directly competes with AFS South Africa's outbound high-school and adult study abroad portfolio.
• Youth For Understanding (YFU): Non-profit international student exchange organization operating in 60+ countries with semester and full-year high school programs. Closest like-for-like competitor to AFS on program structure and target demographic.

Emerging players

• ISV (International Student Volunteers): Volunteer and study abroad provider targeting university students and young professionals. Partial overlap with AFSNext adult programs and STEM/Community Service verticals on short-duration volunteer travel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoU3Mkxu59brftyfb4wgqLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFSRSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afs-interculture-south-africa
• Instagraminstagram.com/afs_south_africa
• TikToktiktok.com/@afsinterculture_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AFS Interculture South Africa