Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel
Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between 15 years 8 months and 18 years 8 months old at the start of the program
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policy
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Program Description
As with all AFS high school programs, you will be placed with a volunteer host family while attending a local host school. Learn more about life in Finland.
Students are placed throughout Finland.
The Finnish cuisine consists largely of fish, meat and ground vegetables, so vegetarians can be difficult to place and most families prefer to host a student with no dietary restrictions.
Visa and Travel
In order to participate in this program, you must have a passport that is valid for six months longer than your intended stay.
Visa
In addition to your passport, you also need a visa to enter and reside in your host country.
The visa application process for Finland is relatively easy but the processing time is long; it can take up to 12 weeks. AFS USA will provide detailed instructions on how to apply. We’ll also provide any support documentation that may be required by the consulate.
Travel
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together between Miami and Helsinki. Upon your arrival and after you have collected your luggage and passed through customs, you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers or, if you are placed nearby, your host family. If your host community is in central or northern Finland, you will take a bus or train from Helsinki to your new home.
Orientations and Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the local Pre-Departure Orientation, Culture Trek, and the Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have multiple orientations while abroad.
Arrival Orientation
About 2 weeks in to your stay, you will have your arrival orientation. These are organized at the regional level so you may have to travel a short distance in order to join the other students who are placed in your region. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. The orientation will last for 2-3 days.
In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective. You will also meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate your first few weeks and be offered guidance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
End-of-Stay Activities
Towards the end of your time abroad there will be an evaluation camp in the weeks 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.
Optional Activities
In addition to the orientations, 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 or regions in Finland. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
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