Follow the jump links to learn more about Paraguay:
Lifestyle and Family Living
Teen Life
Dress and Appearance
Diet and Meals
Educational System
Geography and Climate
Population
Language
Government
Religion
Spending Money
Safety and Support
Fun Facts Lifestyle and Family Living
Paraguay is steeped in tradition. It proudly keeps alive its native arts, crafts, music, instruments and dance. The original inhabitants of eastern Paraguay were semi-nomadic native Americans of various tribes collectively known, because of their common language, as Guaraní.
In the 16th century, the first Europeans settled in Paraguay and created flourishing Spanish colonies. The native Indian population gradually absorbed the Spaniards, who in turn adopted Guaraní food, language and customs. Colonization also meant that Jesuit missionaries were sent to “civilize” the Indians. This early history, mixed with turbulent political development, expansion, civil wars and dictatorship, evolved into a peaceful, leisurely paced life, sometimes seemingly preserved from an earlier time.
About 95% of the people in Paraguay are mestizos, a word that describes people of mixed European and Native American descent, and most are bilingual in Spanish and Guaraní. Paraguayans are very hospitable and conversation is a national pastime.
In families, supervising the children and managing the household are typically the responsibilities of wives while husbands are more occupied with work outside the home. Paraguayans are usually protective of their children, especially daughters. For example, teenage males have much more liberal curfews than their sisters have. Parents expect to know when their children are going out and where they are going. Most social activities, vacations, and weekends are family events.
AFSers to Paraguay must be prepared to live under conditions very different from those at home. Sometimes host families will not have modern facilities and the level of material comfort can be much lower than that of the typical wealthier household. Few homes have air conditioning, washing machines, dishwashers or microwave ovens.
The majority of placements are in small towns but all of them have easy access to larger cities.
Almost all families have pets that spend at least part of the time indoors. It is quite common for at least one family member to smoke.
Paraguayan host families, like all AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers and are not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.Teen Life
Paraguayan teenagers like to go out together as a group; they play sports, have picnics, go to parties or a movie, take walks or hang out in parks.Dress and Appearance
In general, it is wise to bring casual clothing. Cotton clothing is suggested for the hot and humid weather.
Bring jeans, shorts (for sports), a raincoat, an umbrella, and a swimsuit.
Sweaters, pullovers and a warm jacket are necessary for cooler days. Remember that most homes do not have central heating.
Participants are also encouraged to bring one or two nice outfits (dress shirts and ties for men, skirts and blouses or dresses for women) for special occasions.Diet and Meals
Paraguayans are accustomed to large meals at lunch and dinner, but breakfast is quick and light (milk, coffee or tea and bread).
Corn, rice, potatoes and wheat are important staples, as are fruits in season.
Sopa Paraguaya, considered the most traditional dish, is a corn flour cake made with eggs, milk, cheese and onions.
Paraguayan families eat their main meal of the day together, and on Sunday the extended family gathers for dinner.
Meat is prominent in all national dishes, making vegetarians very difficult to place. It is considered inappropriate for individuals to request special foods or to prepare separate food for themselves.Educational System
School is one of the best places to meet people and make friends during your time in Paraguay.
School is in session from March to October, Monday through Friday, with a two-week winter break in July. Classes run from 7:00 a.m. to noon, or 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some schools require attendance at both morning and afternoon sessions.
Most students attend private schools that require uniforms. Students should bring $100 to cover the cost of the uniform and any books they may need to purchase.
Most AFS students are placed in the senior year. There are 11 mandatory subjects including chemistry, fine arts, geography, history, Latin, math, philosophy, psychology and Spanish. Students remain in one classroom, while teachers move from room to room.
Interactions between students and teachers are formal and respectful and students are expected to participate fully in class. There are few textbooks; classes stress theory. In some courses, such as psychology and philosophy, students form study groups. Homework is assigned daily and each subject requires reports, oral quizzes and exams.
All instruction, with the exception of foreign languages, is done in Spanish. In the beginning, you may find it hard to follow, but as you learn more of the language, school will become less challenging, so be patient, work hard, and keep at it!
While it may be possible to obtain academic credit for the coursework you successfully complete abroad, AFS cannot guarantee this. Please discuss your plans with your school before you go abroad.
Geography and Climate
Paraguay is in central South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, by Bolivia to the north and northwest and by Brazil to the east.
The eastern region of the country is mountainous with large rivers and lakes. Asunción, the capital, is located in this region and is the economic hub of the country.
The western region has fertile farmlands and forests and vast unexplored expanses. Its ecosystem is virtually untainted.
Paraguay lies south of the equator, with summer during the months of September through June. The weather is generally hot, dry and dusty. The rainy season is June through September.
Population
Paraguay has a population of 6.8 million. About 98% of the people are located in the eastern region and almost half of them live in urban areas. Asunción has a population of approximately 1.2 million.
Language
There are two official languages in Paraguay: Spanish and Guaraní. Most Paraguayans either speak or understand both languages.
Government
Paraguay is a democracy with three branches of government: the executive, consisting of the President and Vice President, each elected for five years, and their cabinet; the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress; and the judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court, composed of nine magistrates.
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the religion of the country (89.6%), with minor representation of other Protestant denominations.
Spending Money
The guarani is the official currency in Paraguay.
Your program and country information packet (provided in the months prior to your departure) will give you an idea of how much spending money is appropriate and whether you should arrive with any amount of the local currency in hand.
Host families pay only for ordinary family events in which you are expected to participate. When you do such things as shopping for yourself or going out with friends, the expenses are your responsibility. Depending on the cost of living in your host country, we recommend you budget about $100-$300 per month.
Remember: never travel with large amounts of cash. Instead, bring travelers checks or follow the advice in the country and program information packet. Another option for obtaining money while overseas is to use a debit card linked to a checking account back home (but try not to use a debit card for daily purchases since there are ATM and currency exchange fees). Or, you can transfer money using wiring services such as Western Union.
You and your parents should determine a budget and preferred money transfer plan before you depart so that you are not caught without spending money while abroad.
Be conscientious of your spending since conspicuous consumption may not be viewed favorably and spending more than your peers and family may create a distance between you and them.
Safety and Support
AFS has the utmost concern for the welfare, safety, and security of our participants. We’ve been exchanging participants throughout the world for 60 years—that’s six decades of history and experience in international education with an exemplary record of safety, security, and service.
AFS maintains a network of experienced staff and trained volunteers who provide support in each country. In the event of an emergency, 24-hour assistance is available to students, their parents, and the host families. Furthermore, your AFS tuition includes comprehensive medical insurance coverage to ensure that medical care is available to our participants anywhere in the world and at all times.
While we have the above support structures in place, we also encourage you to take responsibility for your own safety and we give you the guidance to do so. Many of the AFS orientation activities, both at home and abroad, are intended to give you the tools to stay safe. We also provide country-specific safety tips to each participant prior to departure.
Learn more about the AFS safety and support network.
Fun Facts
- It is said that dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors; but as far as we can tell, this is a myth. Either way, we don’t suggest you try it.
- Itaipu Dam, on the Parana River between Paraguay and Brazil, is the largest hydroelectric complex in the world.
- Even though Paraguay is a landlocked country, it maintains a Navy.
