Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between the ages of 15 years, 0 months, and 17 years, 0 months, at the time of departure
- Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policy This is a physically demanding program that requires you to play soccer daily.
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture and environment
Program Description
This 7-week program is intended to improve your soccer skills while providing you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture of Paraguay.
All participants will be placed in and around the community of Luque, a suburb of Asuncion. You will be placed with a volunteer host family assigned by AFS Paraguay.
During the week, you will participate in structured soccer trainings, gym workouts, scrimmages, and games. Practices will be held twice a day, 5 days per week. You will be playing for at least 4 hours per day – 2 hours in the mornings and 2 hours in the afternoons.
Drills are carefully tailored to improve your passing, shooting, ball control, dribbling, and tactical skills. In addition, there will be a focus on developing your leadership, in-game decision-making, and teamwork.
Besides the workouts, you will also have the opportunity to meet with national team trainers and players; attend classes to discuss rules, positioning, and strategy; visit sports clubs, museums, and stadiums; and play friendlies against local teams.
Training instruction will be given primarily in Spanish but English terminology will be used as well. You do not need to speak Spanish in order to participate but we encourage you to learn as much as possible prior to departure.
Between practices, you will have free time to spend with your teammates, take a siesta, or have lunch with your host family.
During evenings and weekends, you will be free to spend time with your host family and to get to know the local community.
AFS Paraguay will provide both an arrival and end-of-stay orientation. The arrival orientation will begin soon after your flight arrives in Paraguay. You and the group will stay together at a group site in Asuncion. The arrival orientation will last for 2 days, after which you will be picked up by your host family. You will begin your soccer training the following Monday.
AFS Paraguay will also organize a 2-day end-of-stay orientation at a site outside of Asuncion. The 2009 location is to be determined but in years past it has been held in San Bernardino (a popular summer resort destination), Encarnacion (near the Jesuit missions in Itapua), or Ciudad del Este (near Itaipu, the biggest dam in the world and its natural reserves). Transportation to and from this orientation will be provided.
Additional information, including a daily schedule, will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Be sure to bring your boots, shin guards, socks, and any other gear you need in order to play (no need to bring a ball).
Visa and Travel Documents
A tourist visa is required in order to participate in this program. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to acquire.
In order to apply, you must have a U.S. passport that is valid for six months longer than your intended stay. Please be in possession of your passport at the time you apply for the program
In addition, the visa application requires a parental consent form. The visa fee is $65. This fee is determined by the Paraguayan consulate and is subject to change.
AFs will provide you with detailed instructions on how to apply approximately 6-8 weeks prior to departure.
