High School Study Abroad in Czech Republic

Study Abroad in the Czech Republic

Study abroad in the Czech Republic, a country known as the crossroads of Europe. During a year or semester there, you’ll get to experience so much of what this unique culture has to offer. By attending a local school, you’ll be totally immersed in the Czech language and get the chance to meet lots of new people. At home with your host family, you’ll be able to experience day to day life in a completely new environment.

Things to know about the Czech Republic

Meat is a big part of the Czech diet, but vegetarianism is also pretty widely accepted. Modesty is an important value in Czech culture. For example, a proper response to a compliment is not to say thank you but to actually disagree. Always remember to take your shoes off when you go into a Czech home.

70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	15yrs, 0 months to 18yrs, 0 months at start of program
Language Skills	No language requirement
COVID-19	Strongly recommended, not required* *AFS cannot predict and is not responsible for changes to host school or government health requirements which may change from the time of application and could impact program eligibility

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to the Czech Republic

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you.You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in the Czech Republicwill begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Czech culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Your Accommodations

AFSers have lived all over the Czech Republic. While some AFS students get placed in urban areas like Prague and Brno, most are placed in smaller villages in the rural areas of Bohemia and Moravia.

Meeting Your Host Family

During your study abroad in Czech Republic, you’ll probably live with a traditional two-parent family. Urban families are usually pretty small and rarely have more than two children.

Czech families are known to be hospitable and friendly. They are usually close-knit, and it’s not uncommon for members of the extended family to live at home, especially grandparents. Most families, even in small towns, live in apartment blocks. Many Czech families have country cottages and enjoy spending time there during the weekend.

CZE-HS-Prague-City-Center-Czech-Republic

Your High School in the Czech Republic

You’ll most likely be enrolled in a public high school called a Gymnazium. These schools are highly competitive and are intended to prepare students for University. Students spend their day with a “tree class”—a group of students that stay together throughout the day and attend all their classes together. You won’t be required to wear a uniform but it’s typical for students to change from shoes into slippers when entering school.

Daily Life

Teenage life in the Czech Republic

Czech teenagers spend a lot of time hiking, cycling and swimming in the summer and skiing in the winter. Extracurricular activities are common, including sports, drama, and computer sciences. Czech teens will generally not go out later than 8PM, and often return home as early as 6PM.

Food You’ll Encounter

Czech families love to eat! Czech cuisine has a lot of German, Hungarian, and Polish influences. Dumplings are everywhere! Meat is the main dish, along with big portions of dumplings, potatoes, or rice. Most dishes are topped with a thick sauce and vegetables or sauerkraut. Caraway seeds, bacon, and lots of salt are common flavorings. Sausages, pizza, and fried cheese are popular snacks that you can buy from sidewalk vendors.

What’s included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What’s not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
COVID-19 Tests
Spending money
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Czech Republic?	YES. Visa
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In-person
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Complex
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in the Czech Republic, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in the Czech Republic.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.

High School in the Czech Republic

During your year or semester abroad in the Czech Republic, known as the crossroads of Europe, you’ll get to experience so much of what this unique culture has to offer.