Tips on credit transfer

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Some tips for working with parents and students on obtaining credit for an AFS Experience. From the Info Center, 2008

  • Assure parents that nearly all AFS Participants are awarded credit for their coursework. Private schools may require extra effort on your part, but generally they too will grant credit to AFS students.
  • Visit with the school's guidance counselor (GC). Be sure to take notes and follow up any agreements you make with written correspondence (e-mail).
  • Introduce the GC or other school administrator to the AFS document of how to obtain credit and the paper they bring back with courses taken, time in class, and grades if applicable. This is ultimately the student's responsibility.
  • Introduce AFS program materials to the GC.
  • Emphasize that AFS is a school immersion program and not a vacation or time to travel.
  • Review in detail which courses will count and which will not count. An example is that many subjects will count as electives but US History and Economics cannot be done abroad. Math, science, etc are subjects taught worldwide and they are the same no matter what the language. In fact, they are often taught at a more accelerated rate abroad.
  • Utilize a well-spoken student or parent able to articulate the value of this experience and the reasons they are allowing their son or daughter to participate in AFS. This can be critical!
  • Be very clear of the value of AFS to college entrance chances.
  • If the GC expresses concerns, be prepared to offer examples of other schools in your area that have given credit to AFS participants.
  • Understand whether the GC is the ultimate decision-maker. You may need to speak with a principal or members of the school board. Parents have the right to petition the school board and should be ready to do so, if necessary.
  • Invite the school to contact an AFS Regional Service Center.
  • As with most things, to succeed you need to know what you are talking about. There may be moments of frustration when you are not receiving the answer you desire. Do not give up. Ask for documentation of decisions. Be open to creative solutions (correspondence course, community college transfer credits, etc.)

Information this page still needs or we need in general

  • Transcript form
  • Credit form to give to partner country school
  • Tips for how a school can evaluate the credit form and award credit
  • Class description form to remind students to fill that out while abroad

See also:

Retrieved from "http://www.afswiki.org/index.php/Tips_on_credit_transfer"
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May 24 2012
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