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 0 months old at the start of the program
- Have passing GPA and be prepared to participate in academically rigorous, intensive language study
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy 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
This four-week program is designed to give students an intensive introduction to the Arabic language and immersion into Egyptian culture. You will live with a Egyptian host family, attend Arabic language classes, and will travel with your fellow AFS Students to cultural and historic sites.
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between New York and Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. Upon your arrival, you will be met by volunteers and staff of AFS Egypt and be taken to an orientation site where you will participate in a 1-2 day arrival orientation.
All participants will reside with volunteer host families selected by AFS Egypt. Your host family will provide room, board, and guidance to you during your stay.
The 2010 host communities have not yet been determined. Last year, participants were placed in the city of Ismailia. Your site will be assigned by AFS Egypt based on your current Arabic speaking ability. Beginner Arabic speakers welcome.
Approx. 60 hours of Arabic language classes (3 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks) will be offered by certified language instructors.
Class are offered exclusively to AFS students. Class size varies by language level but will be approx. 10 students per class. All language study materials will be provided but we suggest that you bring an English-Arabic dictionary for personal use.
In addition to your language classes, cultural lessons and activities will be organized by your local AFS volunteers.
Program details are subject to change. Additional information will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Learn more about life in Egypt
Visa and Travel Documents
You must have a U.S. passport in order to travel internationally. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
In addition to your passport, a student visa is required in order to participate in this program. AFS will apply for the visa on your behalf but in order to do so, we will need you to send us your passport and other visa application documents. We will provide detailed instructions on how to apply in the months prior to your departure.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between New York and Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and taken to the orientation site.
AFS 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 several orientations while abroad.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Cairo. This will be a 1-2 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your 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.
At the end of your stay there will be an evaluation camp immediately 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 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 Egypt. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
