Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Getting There
AFS Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between the ages of 15 years, 6 months, and 18 years, 6 months, at the time of departure
- Be in good physical, mental, 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 and environment
Program Description
Inspired by the creative tradition of the countryside, Hungary’s folk art is revered around the world. Spend a summer discovering what the fanfare is all about. You’ll stay for two weeks in a Hungarian countryside art camp working alongside local artisans who will show you how to create traditional crafts such as woodcarving, fabric and basket weaving, leathercraft, woodworking, and bead jewelry making. Then you’ll live with a host family for three weeks and learn about Hungarian daily life. There are also tours to cities and villages to learn about the history of the region. At the end of your stay, enjoy several days in Hungary’s beautiful capital, Budapest, before you return home.
You and your fellow participants will fly together between New York and Budapest. After collecting your luggage and passing through customs you will be met by staff and volunteers of AFS Hungary who will escort you to the camp site.
You will travel together by bus to a town called Jászárokszállás, which is located at the foot of Matra hill, in northeastern Hungary, about 2 hours outside of Budapest.
The camp is held at group site in the Hungarian countryside. You’ll be staying with other international students in rooms that sleep 2-6. There are also large halls where the cultural activities will take place, classrooms for the language courses, and workspaces for the cultural art lessons. AFS staff and volunteers will be staying at the camp and leading all activities.
The art camp will last for 2 weeks and will focus on Hungarian folk art including drawing, painting, matyo (embroidery), basketwork, corn-husk puppets, jewelry, and folk dance.
The camp will also include basic Hungarian language courses and cultural activities. You will learn about Hungarian history, how to prepare traditional Hungarian meals, and cultural learning activities and tips to prepare you for your time with the host family.
This will also be the departure point for several day-trips to nearby places of interest. These may include trips to Eger (known for it’s castle and museums), Jaszbereny (rumored to be the burial place of Attila the Hun), the Matra mountains, the town of Gyongyos, nearby forests, lakes, and an open-air spa.
After the art camp, you will travel to your host community and begin the 3-week homestay portion of the program. This is your opportunity to practice your Hungarian language and immerse yourself in the everyday life of an Hungarian family. Your host family and community are selected for you by AFS Hungary.
Following the homestay, the program will conclude with a 2-day visit to Budapest and an end-of-stay orientation before your return flight to New York.
All transportation and meals will be provided by AFS or your host family.
Program duration is 5 weeks. Program details are subject to change. Additional information will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Learn more about life in Hungary.
Visa and Travel Documents
A student visa is not required in order to participate in this program.
However, 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.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers from the USA will fly together between New York and Budapest, the capital of Hungary. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and escorted to the camp site.
After the 2-week art camp, you will be picked up by your host family and taken to their home. Or, if you are placed far from Jászárokszállás, you and any other students placed in your region will travel by bus or train to your host community 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 multiple orientations while abroad.
The primary orientation will take place upon your arrival in Hungary and will be included as part of the 2 week cultural art camp. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world.
Then, in the days prior to departure, you will participate in end-of-stay activities that will include a tour of Budapest. In addition to seeing the city, this will also be an opportunity 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.
