Upon graduation, some SHSU students will begin their careers in the workforce, while some will begin graduate school. For those students who are considering their options, community service opportunities are available.Many graduate and professional schools are reporting an increase in applications during the first round of admission cycles when compared to the same period last year. The University of California at Los Angles reported a 90 percent increase in applications, and the University of Chicago reported a 100 percent increase in applications, according to an article in The New York Times.AFS Intercultural Programs/USA, formerly the American Field Service, is offering international community service programs and scholarships for qualifying individuals. AFS is a worldwide nonprofit student exchange program that was adopted over 50 years ago.Christine Vogel, vice president for education at AFS, said many students are looking for educational experiences abroad combined with community service.”The programs enable them to build their intercultural communication skills, learn or improve a second language and expand their sense of self confidence, while building resumes and preparing to live and work in a more global economy,” she said.Each year, AFS Intercultural Programs/USA exchanges more than 10,000 students in more than 50 countries.To help with the cost, it developed the 18+ Programs and special World Citizen Scholarships that can cover up to half of the program fee.The AFS 18+ Program provides semester and year experiences in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.The programs offer a community service or language study component while the students live with host families to experience what its like to live as a member of a family in another country. In Thailand, students ages 20 to 26 can work in a zoo to help develop educational programs for children or can assist the animal care-specialists. Students in Belgium can attend a French language camp and help in horse-riding therapy for the disabled or another community service project.Students interested in education may consider the AFS Global Educator Program. Graduates spend a month or semester abroad with Global Educators.Programs are offered in Argentina, China, Mexico, Thailand, Spain and South Africa. Participants work with educators to learn about the educational system of another country, while living with a host family, and explore a new culture. Partial scholarships are available for those who qualify.AFS has more than 8,000 volunteers in the United States and 100,000 around the world. It was founded in 1947 by surviving American Field Service ambulance drivers trying to stop the damage of war from happening again.”They believed, as AFS believes today, that one of the first steps toward peace is providing opportunities for people from different countries to meet and learn from each other, and understand one another better,” AFS said.To learn more about the AFS programs and scholarships call 1-AFS-INFO or visit the Web site at www.afs.org/usa.