YES, FLEX, and CBYX students are required to participate in cluster enrichment activities during the academic year to increase their understanding of American culture, values, and history. These activities will expose students to and increase their understanding of key elements of American civil society and foster dialogue and enduring ties between students and their host communities.
There are three types of enrichment activities:
These cultural enrichment activities will range from briefings on local/state government and the judicial system to programs on community issues and concerns (e.g., environmental protection, substance abuse prevention, HIV awareness, promoting entrepreneurship and gender equality) and will expose students’ understanding of the diversity that exists in American society. Only Community Service activities can count towards students’ volunteering hours.
| Program | Number of Required Activity Participation |
| YES | 6 |
| FLEX | 6 |
| YES/FLEX Semester | 3 |
| CBYX | 3 |
These activities will be scheduled and organized by the local cluster coordinator and will be for CBYX, YES, and FLEX students who are hosted nearby each other within the AFS Area Teams called a “cluster”. Students should please email their YES, FLEX or CBYX specialist if they do not know their assigned Cluster Coordinator’s information.
AFS YES, FLEX and CBYX Specialists will organize some virtual enrichment opportunities for students to participate in throughout the year. Students will receive monthly newsletter with activity details.
Community Service:
YES students hosted in Washington State volunteering at Bring-A-Meal at Union Gospel Mission Hope Place.
Diversity:
YES participants in Alaska learning about fish tanning from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe
Government:
YES, FLEX and CBYX Participants outside the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL
Virtual Enrichment Activity:
The Links: Rule of Law, virtual Zoom activity and presentation