Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Getting There
AFS Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between 15 years 0 months and 18 years 6 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 the Czech Republic.
Students are placed throughout the Czech Republic.
The ability to speak Czech is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure.
Visa and Travel Documents
In order to participate in this program, you must have a U.S. passport that is valid for six months longer than your intended stay.
In addition to your passport, you also need a student visa to enter and reside in your host country.
The visa application process for Czech Republic is detailed, time-consuming, and costly. It involves collecting a number of documents including a police background check, proof of income in the form of a notarized credit card copy, and transcripts.
The current visa processing fee is US$168, not including the cost of obtaining, translating, notarizing, and mailing the required documents. Please note that these fees and requirements are determined by the consulates and are subject to change.
AFS USA will provide you with detailed visa application instructions in the months prior to your departure.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together from one of the gateway cities in the United States. You all will arrive in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, collect your baggage and pass through customs.
You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and will participate in a welcome orientation together that includes five lessons on Czech language. There will be a one-day trip to a local attraction, such as the famous Karlstejn Castle, where you will discover one of the thousands of historical sites in the country. You will also learn how to barbecue in the Czech style. To present a bit of your national culture and your own personal talents, there will be a talent show one evening.
You will be picked up by your host family and then travel to your host community, which may be some distance away.
AFS Orientations and Activities
AFS will provide you with several orientations throughout your experience. These orientations give you a chance to gather important information about your host country, to meet other AFS teens from around the world, to share experiences and make friends. These group activities give you a chance to understand and process your intercultural learning experience during your time abroad as well as when you are returning home.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Bohemia and Moravia. This will be a 3-4 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
If you are participating in a year program, you will also be offered a 2 day mid-stay orientation about 5 months in to your stay. Once again, this will be a time to meet with staff and volunteers, evaluate the first part of your experience, and gain more tips to aid your cultural adjustment.
Finally, 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.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize the AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Around the Christmas holidays, an orientation will allow you to renew friendships, share experiences and ask questions. You will learn how to prepare a traditional Czech Christmas: bake cookies, decorate a Christmas tree and sing carols.
One highlight, organized by AFS Czech Republic, is a trip to Moravia. You will stay in a simple speleologist’s house, cook by yourself with other exchange students, visit castles and caves and relax in the beautiful natural environment.
During your time in the Czech Republic, there will be additional activities held by your local AFS chapter, community, friends, church, family members and relatives. If you take the initiative and express your genuine interest, you will discover the never-ending Czech hospitality.
