High School Study Abroad in Serbia

Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity! By living with a host family and attending a local school in Serbia you’ll be totally immersed in this fascinating culture. You’ll have the chance to gain a completely new perspective and discover things about yourself that you never thought were possible. Study abroad in Serbia to gain an in-depth understanding of a rich political history of a country that is redefining itself and its peoples. Join other teenagers from all over the world on an amazing journey!

Things to know

Serbs are generally very outgoing and talkative. They’re laid back and relaxed and one of the first phrases you might learn is nema problema – no problem! People eat lots of meat in Serbia – be prepared for it to be a part of nearly every meal. Generosity and hospitality are very important qualities, so plan to bring a small gift like flowers or food when visiting friends for the first time.

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, 8 months at start of program
Language Skills	No language requirement

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 Serbia

Your adventure will begin in New York City, where you’ll meet your fellow AFS students from the United States, although it’s possible you’ll be the only one traveling to Serbia. You’ll attend an overnight orientation, where you’ll learn some important information about your first few days in Serbia and get a chance to talk to a cultural expert who recently spent time in the region. Then you’ll fly to Belgrade, where you’ll be met by AFS staff and volunteers!

On your way to your host family you’ll have a chance to see some of the sights. You might see rivers, fertile plains, and mountains. In the towns and cities you’ll hear people engaged in lively conversations, often about politics and the state of the country, and in the countryside you’re bound to hear Serbia’s distinctive folk music. If you pass by uninhabited buildings, don’t be surprised to see bright artists’ murals or installations covering the walls. The churches, too, will likely be covered in mosaics or frescoes, though these may be hundreds of years old.

Meeting Your Serbian Host Family

You might live in a community in any part of Serbia, from the cities along the Danube River in the north to more rural towns and villages in the mountainous southern region. While every family is different, in general you can expect that you’ll have more host siblings in rural areas than in urban ones. No matter where you are during your study abroad in Serbia, you’ll probably find that extended family helps take care of the kids while the parents are working.

During vacation Serbian families enjoy going to the beach and boating on the many lakes and rivers. If you like fishing and hunting, Serbia is an ideal spot for you. You can also expect to spend some quiet evenings at home with your family talking and watching TV. Don’t be surprised if your host family keeps piling food on your plate, food is an extremely important aspect of Serbian family life!

Settling into daily life in Serbia

Teenage Life in Serbia

As a teenager in Serbia you can plan to spend a lot of time hanging out with large groups of friends. Serbs are very social and outgoing and they tend to be very open with each other about personal, emotional issues. You’ll find that being a good listener is a very valuable skill! Soccer, tennis, and basketball are the most popular sports and young Serbs also enjoy hanging out at cafes and local neighborhood restaurants.

Foods You’ll Encounter

Serbian food is a mix of Turkish, Greek, and central European ingredients and flavors. Bean soup and stuffed cabbage rolls are very popular and you’ll also have the chance to try lots of delicious pastries and local cheeses. Dinner is often eaten pretty late and tends to be something quick like pizza or pasta but you’ll have plenty of chances to snack throughout the day. Often on Sundays extended families will get together to eat a traditional lunch, where they might serve roasted pork and potatoes.

Your Serbian High School

At school you’ll get to make lots of new friends and learn all about Serbian history and society. School in Serbia runs from September to June. The school day is broken up into two shifts, one from 8AM to 2PM and the other from 2PM to 8PM. Like in many countries, you’ll wear a uniform. Most schools in Serbia offer some extracurricular activities and if you like dancing and music you should definitely join a Serbian folk music group!

What's included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 50,000 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
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 Serbia?	YES. Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In host country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Easy
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, if you’re like most AFSers, 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 while studying abroad in Serbia.

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

High School in Serbia

Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity!