The AFS Story: Daring to Create Change

How did the legendary World War I volunteer ambulance service evolve into a world-class international exchange program promoting intercultural understanding to help the world learn to live together? The answers are below!

The beginnings of AFS

In 1914, A. Piatt Andrew established the American Field Service (AFS), which was tasked with transporting wounded French soldiers. AFS began operations at an auxiliary military hospital located at the Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris. The hospital, run by volunteers and funded by citizens, opened in September 1914. It was an extension of the nearby American Hospital of Paris.

The AFS paramedics were unarmed. Their mission was one of compassion, not conflict. During the war, 2,500 men served in the American Field Service alongside the French Army.

127 AFS paramedics died saving the lives of wounded soldiers during the battles of the First World War. Two AFS volunteers received the Legion of Honour, five the Military Medal, 245 the Croix de Guerre, and 21 a section citation.

In 1917, AFS had 2,500 drivers who transported over 500,000 wounded.

Between the wars

Stephen Galatti helped found the AFS association in French universities, which sent 222 college students to and from the United States between 1919 and 1952. In 1936, following the death of A. Piatt Andrew, Stephen Galatti became the organization’s executive director.

World War II

In September 1939, when World War II began, Stephen Galatti reorganized AFS as a volunteer ambulance corps which was active in France, North Africa, the Middle East and Italy.

After the Second World War

After the war, Stephen Galatti and 250 AFS paramedics committed themselves to maintaining the tradition of international mutual aid and established AFS International Fellowships.

To train global citizens by providing them with the tools to become creators of change

These days, you don’t have to look far to find an AFSer making a difference in a local community, an industry, at the forefront of an important international issue or a social cause.

How AFS Prepares Global Citizens

Discover the world through the eyes of an international student

“Being a host family is both a challenge and a great pleasure. Mateo has been with us for two months and he’s already made a real place for himself. We’re teaching him about life in Quebec and he’s teaching him about life in Italy. It’s like traveling without leaving home.” — Annie Petit, host sister in Quebec

“While our primary goal is to enable young people to have a rich intercultural experience, we realize day by day how much their presence allows us, as foster parents, to know the world more personally.”— Nathalie, foster mother in Quebec

Hosting an AFS student

Our destinations

Where do you want to go?

Africa

North America

Latin America

Asia

Europe

Oceania