The application period for 2025 Flight Chaperone, Belo Chaperone, and Program Leader positions was December 6, 2024 through January 13, 2025. We look forward to considering your application next year!
The primary responsibility of an AFS-USA Travel Chaperone is the welfare of participants traveling on international flights or joining in a domestic Belo USA Travel trip. In addition, the Chaperone is an official representative of AFS-USA.
Additionally, AFS-USA offers volunteers a unique opportunity to apply for a position as a volunteer Program Leader for our 2–3 week summer programs. The Program Leader position is an exciting opportunity to travel with a small group of U.S. participants throughout their short summer program and experience the rich content of these programs firsthand!
Volunteer Chaperone Eligibility
Applicants for a Flight/Belo Chaperone Award must:
- Be 25 years old as of February 1, 2025;
- Be a registered AFS-USA Volunteer, with at least two (2) consecutive years actively volunteering at the time of application (The two-year requirement does not apply to Program Leader positions.);
- Be involved with a local Chapter/Team and/or at the national level, which may include facilitating orientations, working with students, the liaison role, team/national leadership roles, advisory groups, and/or committees, etc.;
- Be in compliance with AFS-USA standards, policies, and procedures and Department of State regulations, as applicable, will be considered in the selection process;
- Agree to fully comply with all mandatory training sessions;
- Have the ability to assist students with their luggage, if needed, and manage long distance transfers between terminals/gates with short connection times if there are delays;
- Have organizational and problem-solving skills;
- Be flexible and open to new experiences; and
- Have experience as a chaperone or group leader (preferred).
- Previous international plane travel strongly preferred; domestic travel experience required.
Please see the section below on Program Leaders and the link to the eligibility requirements since there are additional requirements for Program Leaders in addition to the Chaperone eligibility requirements.
Additionally, please note that there is one unified application for all Chaperone and Program Leader opportunities. Within the application, you can select Flight Chaperone, Belo Chaperone, Program Leader, or a combination of these options. If you select Program Leader from within the application, additional questions will be displayed for you to complete. Read through the requirements below and find the application at the bottom of this article.
Flight Chaperone Awards
Each year AFS-USA offers volunteers the opportunity to chaperone program participants on international flights to and from the United States. The primary responsibility of the Flight Chaperone is to ensure the safety and well-being of participants traveling on international and domestic flights. In addition, Flight Chaperones have the opportunity to travel abroad and to interact with participants and AFS partners while learning about a new country and culture.
The complete manual of AFS Flight Chaperone responsibilities can be found here.
Belo USA Chaperone Awards
Belo USA is an American travel operator based in Chicago specializing in cultural, educational, and tourist trips for international exchange students. Belo USA has contracted with AFS-USA and other exchange organizations for more than 15 years. Belo USA has designed trips specifically for AFS-USA students that will incorporate our mission and the idea of intercultural education. Belo USA has a great appreciation for the AFS-USA mission and the desire for our students to participate in activities that follow these values. All trips are chaperoned and managed by Belo USA staff. The number of participants determines the trips where an AFS-USA chaperone will be needed. Information about which trips will be available to students and chaperones will be available in January 2025.
Program Leader Opportunities
This opportunity varies from our standard AFS travel chaperone trips, as you will be required to participate in the student program rather than solely accompanying the students to their destination. You will join the activities of the program with the students and, likewise, provide assistance as needed to local AFS (or non-AFS partner) staff and volunteers. Please review the Program Leader responsibility and FAQ document to ensure you have a full understanding of the position prior to applying.
Please be sure to review the Flight Chaperone Manual as those responsibilities are part of the Program Leader position.
The Peter J. Westort Volunteer Leadership Award: A New Opportunity for Chaperones
All selected chaperones will be eligible for this wonderful award that will allow you to enhance your chaperone experience by visiting past participants, AFS volunteers, or AFS staff while in country on a Chaperone trip. Please follow the link below to learn more about this award.
Peter J Westort Volunteer Leadership Award
Application
The application is now closed. Look for the application for 2026 chaperone positions in December 2025!
For questions not answered here, please write to usaflightchap@afs.org.
Congratulations to the following volunteers who were selected as a Flight/Belo Chaperone in 2024:
Belo-USA Trips
California Adventure: Suzanne Baker
International Trips
Argentina: Linda Knicely, James Butler
Denmark: Carol Ritchie
France: Lisa Buschmann, Ann Sweet
India: Katherine True, Sara Jane Thurston, Christina Clapp, Kathryn Fleddermann
Indonesia: Leslie Surta, Janet Hanson, Susan Syme, Leslie Guerin
Japan: Elisabeth Hinshaw-Osgood, Deanna Johnson
Malaysia: Tamara Theideman, Jessica Simpson
Mozambique: Catherine Colborn
Philippines: Rebecca Jessen
South Africa: Lynn Obrien
Spain: Tyler Henry, Susan Pfeil
Thailand: Sandra Forbes
Turkey: Sydney Finan, Eric Christiansen, Carolyn Rehn