Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Getting There
AFS Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between 18 years 0 months and 55 years 0 months old at the start of the program. Exceptionally mature students younger than 18 may apply.
- 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
Honduras is known for its natural beauty and relaxed pace of life, combined with thousands of years of history and a promising future. It has the world’s second-largest barrier reef, dazzling Caribbean islands, colonial-style towns, and a mountain interior on the west. Considered one of Latin America’s best-kept secrets, Honduras is world famous for its archeological sites, including 3,000-year-old Mayan ruins and the mysterious rediscovered city of Copán. But you will discover other wealth: the people. They will want to get to know you and will invite you to stay and share their home or a meal. Honduran cuisine is varied as each region has its own unique culinary dishes (from seafood to fried plátanos, frijoles, and tortillas, and a wide variety of colorful tropical fruits). This means you’ll learn quickly that sharing mealtimes with your family is an important part of daily life. And you’ll come to recognize the beautiful flag that can be seen in Independence parades, local celebrations or carnivals, and soccer games.This program gives you the opportunity to share in and contribute to the life of a community in Honduras by living and working alongside its members in a community-based service organization. Past participants worked in suburban or rural communities for social and environmental organizations. Participants are placed according to their abilities and interests while respecting the needs of the hosting organizations. You will have an arrival orientation, and then for two weeks you will receive 40 hours of Spanish lessons. Then you will travel to your host communities to be welcomed by the local volunteers and your host family.
AFS Honduras provides three orientations during your stay to acquaint you with the country¹s life and culture; one of the most exciting orientations is held at the ancient Mayan city of Copán.
As with all AFS programs, you will be placed with a volunteer host family who will provide you with lodging, meals, guidance and support.
Participants are placed throughout Honduras, mostly in urban or suburban areas. Please note that your host community will be chosen for you by AFS Honduras.
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. In addition, AFS Honduras will arrange 40 hours of language lessons for you during your first weeks abroad. the classes are tailored to your speaking ability and are specifically geared for AFS participants.
AFS Honduras may be able to accommodate vegetarians but it is not always possible. We ask that you be as flexible as possible in regards to your dietary preferences and be willing to prepare your own food if necessary. If you require a special diet, please submit a dietary restriction addendum form (available in the supplements and addendums page of the online application) along with your Full Application.
Learn more about life in Honduras.
View PDF Information Sheet for Honduras Community Service Program.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.
You will enter Honduras on a tourist visa. While abroad, you willl be required to apply for a residence permit.
AFS Honduras will assist you with the residence permit application process but please note that you must bring certain documents with you from home. The required documents include a consent form, clear photocopies of your passport information page, multiple copies of passport-sized ID photos, and a certificate of good conduct from your local police. These documents must be translated and certified with an Apostille.
The current visa processing fee is US$330, not including the cost of obtaining, translating, and notarizing the required documents. Please note that these fees and requirements are determined by the Honduran consulate and are subject to change.
AFS USA will provide you with detailed instructions regarding the required documents and how to apply for your visa in the months prior to your departure.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together from between Miami and Tegucigalpa. After you collect your baggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers who will escort you to the arrival orientation site within Tegucigalpa. There you will participate in a 3 day welcome orientation in order to prepare you for your first weeks abroad.
After the welcome orientation community service participants will stay in Tegucigalpa for 2 weeks while taking part in the Spanish language lessons. During this time, you will stay with a welcome family in Tegucigalpa.
Upon completion of the language lessons, you will travel to your permanent host community by bus – accompanied by AFS volunteers – and be picked up by your host family.
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 Honduras. This will be a 3 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.
Community Service participants will also be offered 40 hours of Spanish language lessons during the first 2 weeks of their stay. These lessons will take place in Tegucigalpa. During this time, you will stay with a welcome family.
About mid-way through your stay, you will have another orientation, this time at the Mayan ruins of Copan. This will be a 4 day trip 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. In addition to the orientation activities, you will be offered a guided tour of the ruins!
Finally, there will be a 2 day 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.
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for participants 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 Honduras. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
