Volunteers should consult the COVID-19: FAQs and Resources section for the most up-to-date information regarding Hosting and Sending programs in the 2021-22 cycle.
What is AFS-USA's role in the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad interviews?
How are AFS volunteers and teams involved?
What are the benefits to a team?
Who do volunteers go to for help during the interview season?
What is the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad application and interview schedule for the 2020-2021 program year?
What is AFS-USA's role in the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad interviews?
- AFS-USA is one of several implementing organizations for both the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad scholarship programs, and is responsible for coordinating and conducting virtual interviews for NSLI-Y semi-finalists and YES Abroad applicants.
- For specific information, including resources and training on the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad interviews, go directly to this site (this is a private page on AFS Help & Learning and will require you to use your GL login and password): PRIVATE NSLI-Y and YES Abroad Interview Information and Resources.
How are AFS volunteers and teams involved?
- AFS volunteers and teams are asked to coordinate and host the interviews in their team.
- Not all teams participate in these interviews. The teams that are asked to support the interview event are based on the distribution of applicants in the U.S.
- Teams are asked to designate a volunteer/s as Interview Coordinator/s, responsible for planning and executing the interviews. The Coordinator/s is responsible for:
- Recruiting volunteer interviewers, who must be registered AFS volunteers, at least 21 years of age and complete an online training process
- Compiling volunteer availability and scheduling for completing virtual interviews from December through March
- Keeping in contact with AFS Seasonal Interview Coordinator (SIC) staff regarding volunteer availability and scheduling
- Ensuring that all the interviews are completed, logged and sent to AFS for processing
What are the benefits to a team?
- The NSLI-Y and YES Abroad interviews are an opportunity to engage new volunteers as interviewers. Interviewers can choose their schedule and can choose how many interviews they would like to conduct.
- It is a great way to integrate and engage NSLI-Y and YES Abroad program alumni and YES program host students. Program participants and alumni are great resource for the applicants.
Who do volunteers go to for help during the interview season?
- Every year, the Sponsored Programs Department hires a group of Seasonal Interview Coordinators (SICs) who are organized by region to support AFS teams and volunteers to plan and execute the interview events. You can contact these coordinators at NSLIYinterviews@afsusa.org
What is the NSLI-Y and YES Abroad application and interview schedule for the 2020-2021 program year?
- November 5, 4:00PM Eastern Time: NSLI-Y application deadline
- November: NSLI-Y academic year applications are evaluated by American Councils for International Education, and interview candidates are selected. NSLI-Y summer applications are evaluated on a rolling basis beginning in November.
- Mid-November: AFS Seasonal Interview Coordinators are hired and begin contacting the field to discuss the coordination of the interviews.
- December 8, 5:00PM Eastern Time: YES Abroad application deadline
- Mid December: Interview candidates will become visible in Global Link to AFS volunteers. NSLI-Y academic year candidates will be the first available, followed by YES Abroad candidates.
- December: Approximately 75 summer applicants to be released, in addition to NSLI-Y academic year applicants and YES Abroad applicants
- January: Approximately 250 summer applicants.
- February: Approximately 430 summer applicants.
- March: Finalize all interview through the end of the month.
- Finalist notification timeline:
- NSLI-Y finalist notifications are sent on a rolling basis beginning in mid-February; all semi-finalists will be notified about their status by April 23, 2021. NSLI-Y summer finalists have one week to accept or decline their scholarship, while NSLI-Y academic year finalists have two weeks.
- YES Abroad finalist notifications are scheduled to be sent on a rolling basis in March 2021. Those candidates selected as finalists will receive their country placement at that time. YES Abroad finalists typically have two weeks to accept or decline their scholarship.