2011 AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines Nationwide Selection Camps

The AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental and non-profit organization which provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. In partnership with the Department of Education-Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (DepED-CSCA), the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines will hold the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines Nationwide Selection Camps from June to July 2011. The AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines Nationwide Selection Camps aim to screen, choose and orient deserving Filipino students and teachers to represent the country in various AFS programs, namely:

1. Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (K-L YES) Program

Previously known as the Partners for Learning Youth Exchange and Study Program, the K-L YES is fully funded by the US Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, for countries with significant Muslim population as a result of the events of September 11, 2001. Since 2004, AFS Philippines has sent 237 students (Muslims and non-Muslims from urban poor, indigenous groups and students with disabilities) to the United States of America (USA) on full scholarship. Each Youth Exchange and Study (YES) scholar will experience living with an American host family and study in American high school for one year.

This is open to second or third year high school students who meet J-1 Visa regulations, especially Muslim students and students with physical disabilities (blind/sight-impaired, deaf/hearing-impaired, crutches/wheelchair-user). Twenty seven to forty (27-40) student-qualifiers will be sent to the USA for one year every school year.

2. Year Program (YP)

The YP is open to fifty-five (55) AFS Partner Countries in AFS Global Network. Thirty (30) to fifty (50) high school student-qualifiers will be sent to their country of choice from eighty (80) destinations for one (1) year. High school students aged fourteen (14) and above on the time of application are eligible in this program. Each participant will live with a host family and will be placed with a host school or organization.

3. Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program

This program is fully funded by the Japanese Government and in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat. Established in 2007, it aims to deepen understanding of the different facets of the Japanese society among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-nations and Japan. Each JENESYS scholar will experience either a two-week or a year of intercultural exchange, study tour of three (3) Japanese cities, a homestay with a Japanese family and attend a Japanese high school.

Fifty-six (56) high school student-qualifiers aged fifteen and above, five (5) high school teacher-qualifiers wi11 be chosen for this two-week short program.

4. Other AFS Programs are available through their website: www.afs.ph.

The selection camp is a whole day event from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Interested applicants must dedicate the whole day for the selection process. Activities such as orientations, panel interviews, group activities, discussions and presentations will be covered at different times during the day. The selection camp dates and venues are as follows:

June 17 - Puerto Princesa City
June 18 - Subic Bay
June 20 - Cagayan de Oro City
June 23 - Cotabato City, Zamboanga City, Jolo and Bacolod City
June 24 - Iloilo City
June 25 - Davao City
June 27 -Taguig City
June 28 - Cavite
June 29-30 - NCR (AFS Office)
July 2 - General Santos City
July 7 - Batangas City
July 9 - Baguio City
July 15 - National Council on Disability Affairs, Quezon City

The following are the basic qualifications and requirements for the applicants:

1. Must present latest original and photocopy of Form 137 or Form 138;
2. Must present latest original and photocopy of School ID (for students) or any valid Government ID;
3. Must bring pre-application form (request from AFS) with passport-size ID;
4. Must meet eligibility and age requirements of AFS Program applied for;
5. Must be interviewed by trained AFS volunteer raters on scheduled date and attend the whole-day event;
6. Must comply with and complete all pre-program, on-program, post-program documentation and responsibilities of the AFS Program applied for;
7. Preferably, have a valid passport; and,
8. Must pay a one-time non-refundable pre-application/interview fee of Five Hundred Pesos (PhP500.00) except for applicants for K-L YES Program.
   

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the website of AFS Philippines through www.afs.ph for the details of the scholarship programs, qualifications and application procedures, including particulars on the venue of the selection camps. Expenses for the participation in the selection camps shall be charged against local funds, local school board funds or sourced/solicited from private organizations.

Regional Directors (RDs), schools division/city superintendents (SDSs) and school heads (HSs) are requested to give full support to the selection camps. The division and regional supervisors in-charge of the Student Government Program or Araling Panlipunan shall be responsible for disseminating the contents of this Memorandum to the schools and for coordinating participation of interested students and teacher-applicants.

For queries and coordination, please contact the AFS Philippines through office address AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines, Unit 1607 16/F Antel Global Corporate Center, Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City and contact numbers (02) 584-2002 or email info.philippinesfs.org or the DepEd-CSCA c/o Executive Director Joey G. Pelaez at telephone numbers (02) 636-3603 or (02) 631-8495 or call the nearest AFS local chapter coordinators. - https://www.affordablecebu.com/