Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Getting There
AFS Orientations and ActivitiesEligibility
To be eligible you must:Program Description
You and your fellow participants will fly together between New York and Rome. After collecting your luggage and passing through customs you will be met by staff and volunteers of AFS Italy who will escort you to the arrival orientation site.
You will travel by bus to Colle Val d’Elsa, Tuscany, about 4 hours north of Rome. You will be staying together at a villa for a week-long orientation camp that includes language courses and cultural activities. This will also be the departure point for several day-trips.
During this week, you will be offered Italian language lessons based on your ability (beginners welcome). Classes will be held for several hours each day and interspersed among the other activities.
Travel to nearby cities including Sienna, San Gimignano, and Florence for historical tours.
Italian cultural lessons and activities will also be offered. These may include Italian music, cuisine, art and history.
After the orientation camp, you will travel to your host community (the host family and community is selected for you by AFS Italy) and begin the homestay portion of the program. This is your opportunity to practice your Italian and immerse yourself in the everyday life of an Italian family.
The program will conclude with a 2-day, 3-night visit to Rome and an end-of-stay orientation.
Program duration is 5 weeks.
Additional information will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Visa and Travel Documents
A visa is not required in order to participate in this program. However, you must have a valid United States passport in order to travel internationally. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers from the USA will fly together between New York and Rome, the capital of Italy. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and escorted to the arrival orientation site.
After the arrival orientation, you and the other students who are placed in your region will travel by train to your host community (or by plane if you are placed in Sicily, Sardinia, or Calabria) where you will be picked up by your host family.
AFS Orientations and Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will have domestically (the local Pre-Departure Orientation, Culture Trek, and the Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Rome. This will be a two-night orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks in Italy. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world.
Finally, there is a final evaluation camp (end-of-stay orientation) prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
In addition, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities in Italy. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the students’ expense.
