Summer Exchange Programs - Chile

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Chile Summer Homestay Program

This 7 week program is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Chile. Live with a host family while learning about Chilean life and immersing yourself in Chilean culture.

Program Details

You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Miami and Santiago. Upon your arrival, you will be met by volunteers and staff of AFS Chile and taken to the Arrival Orientation site. There you will take part in a orientation that will help prepare you for your intercultural experience. All participants will reside with volunteer host families selected by AFS Chile. Your host family will provide room, board, and guidance to you during your stay.

In addition to your homestay, you will also have the opportunity to attend a local high school for a 2 week period and take classes along with your Chilean peers. Class offerings vary but you may be able to participate in language, science, art, or drama classes or join sports or other clubs.

Placement Realities

Students are placed throughout Chile. Most placements (approx. 75%) are in urban areas. 20% are classified as suburban placements and the remaining 5% are rural.

Meals and Diet

Chileans eat a lot of meat, so it is very difficult to place vegetarians. Otherwise, expect lunch to be your biggest meal of the day, while a light dinner is typically served as late as 9pm!

Eligibility

To participate in this program, you must:

• Be within the age range at the start of the program (age range located above)
• Have a passing GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
• Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
• Be in possession or have applied for a U.S. passport at the time of application.

*Program description updated 1/4/12.