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 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 Peru.
Students are placed throughout the Peru.
The ability to speak Spanish is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure.
Vegetarians can be particularly difficult to place, since it is not common in Peru to be vegetarian; flexibility with your diet will make placing you easier. Peruvian cuisine consists of a lot of rice, potatoes and chicken meat and vegetables are not as popular or prominent a part of the meal.
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.
Peru’s visa process is fairly simple. You will need to gather various forms, including a parental consent form, and you will need to contact your state’s Peruvian Consulate to apply for the visa. Once you arrive in Peru, you will need to apply for a visa extension.
The cost for a Peruvian visa is US$30; the extension will be approximately US$40. Please note that fees and regulations are subject to change.
Please note that fees for obtaining, translating, notarizing, and mailing the required documents rest with you, the applicant, and any additional forms and their costs, as well as 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 at Cuzco International Airport, collect your baggage and pass through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and will participate in a welcome orientation together. You will 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.
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 Cuzco. This will be a minimum one day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. You will make friends from all over the world and join in games, singing and dancing. In other words, it will be fun! You will then travel to your host community.
Several weeks in to your stay, you will have another orientation, once again organized at the local level. This will last for one day and will focus on cultural and school adjustment. 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.
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.
