Interculture South Africa is a non-profit, non-governmental, self-funded and volunteer based organisation. Our aim is intercultural learning opportunities, primarily for youth, through educational and community organisations. We are a part of the world-wide AFS Intercultural Programmes network. We aim to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world, through exchange programmes and other intercultural activities.

Interculture South Africa has been involved in running student exchange programmes in South Africa since 1958-9 (previously under the name AFS / American Field Service). The change of name to Interculture South Africa in 1989 was because of South Africa not being in the AFS system for a few years. This also saw the beginning of local exchange initiatives between schools of different cultures within South Africa. In 1995 Interculture South Africa reconnected with AFS.

1. International Year Exchange Programme:
   • Hosting international high school students for one year in families.
   • Sending high school students to live for a year in another country with a family.
2. French Intensive Programme
   • Sending high school students to France for two months to live with a family
3. WALK Community Service Programme
   • Young Adults come to South Africa to learn about our culture while working in a community based organisation, and living with a family or in an institution.
4. Educator Programmes
   • Study Tours to South Africa for four weeks, for teachers and community workers, and youth workers, to learn about South Africa, and visit institutions.
   • Guest Teachers who go to other countries to teach about South Africa.
   • Community Educators who go to other countries to share about South Africa.
5. Networks - We have been instrumental in forming the following networks:
   • Southern African Intercultural Network (SAIN)
   • Network for Conflict Resolution Organisations in Schools (NETCROSS)
6. Schools Programmes
   • Workshops on Conflict Resolution
   • Workshops on Culture
   • Local intercultural Exchanges
   • Teacher Workshops

ISA is a volunteer-based organisation with a single National Office in Gauteng. Many of the activities of the organisation are planned and run by Local Committees (LC's). At present there are LC's in Cape Town, Durban Central and Inland KZN, Durban-North Coast, Port Elizabeth, Mosselbay, Bloemfontein, Attridgeville-Pretoria, Johannesburg North and Gauteng East, Lenasia and Soweto. We are in the process of recruiting volunteers from all regions of South Africa to form new committees or join the existing ones.

There are various activities that volunteers may get involved in :

• Interviewing / Selection of Students
• Orientations for Students and Host Families
• Counselling Hosted Students and Families
• Planning Social Events for Volunteers/Students
• Fund-raising, Catering, Publicity
• Running Camps for Students etc.

This is a good way to meet new people and to get involved in your community. Volunteers may be between the ages of 18-80. No training is necessary, however previous experience in working with students / families is always an advantage.

For more information on Interculture South Africa or any one of the programmes, please contact the office.

Postal Address:

Street Address