Program Details
| Program Length | Approx. Start Date | Approx. End | 2009 Price | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Mid-August | Mid-July | $9,900 | 15 yr 0 mos - 17 yr 0 mos |
Note about travel dates: Travel date ranges are provided to help with general scheduling. Please do not reserve any domestic travel based on these dates. AFS will notify confirmed participants with specific travel details approximately 45 days prior to departure.
About Indonesia
This country stretches across the world’s largest archipelago: 17,000 islands; 11,000 of which are uninhabited. While most of the islands are hot and humid due to the fact that they straddle the equator, several mountains rise so high above the tropical jungle that they support ice fields. The country’s motto is “unity in diversity”—appropriate for a nation whose population includes some 300 ethnic groups speaking more than 500 languages and dialects. But mass education and media have created an Indonesian national culture. It is customary to take shoes off before entering a house. You’ll also have to be careful about body language. These are considered rude: summoning a person with an index finger, touching another person’s head, and talking and standing with hands on the waist. But there’s a wealth of culture to explore while you’re here, such as the dress (sarongs, kebayas, batik shirts, and songkoks) and the wonderful cuisine which combines techniques and ingredients with influences from India, the Middle East, China, and Europe.
Year Program
When you first land in Jakarta, you’ll attend a five-day orientation that will help you understand the language, culture, and customs. Then you’ll travel to your host family and start your daily life of school and community. For the most part, the Indonesian family is usually an extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and first and second cousins. Indonesians are generally indirect in their approach, though the closer the relationship is, the more straightforward one can be. You’ll wear a uniform to school, and attend school Monday through Friday. After school, there are extracurricular activities such as learning Indonesian traditional dances, local music, and martial arts. You can also participate in community service projects. Of course, you’ll also hang out with your new friends and do a lot of the same things you do already: surfing the Internet, going to movies, shopping, and spending time together. There are several other AFS orientations throughout the year to help you assess how you’re adapting and give you a chance to talk with other AFers about their experiences.
View PDF Brochure for Indonesia School Program.
All programs, prices, and travel dates are subject to change without notice.
