High School in Slovakia

Study Abroad In Slovakia

Slovakia is located right in the geographic center of Europe and is an ideal place for you to experience high school and life at home with a host family. While attending high school in Slovakia, you’ll be completely immersed in Slovakian society and have the opportunity to learn the language and make lots of new friends. Its stunning ancient castles and natural hot springs may be what bring most tourists to the area, but this is your chance to dive deep into the culture of this young country and learn the real reasons for its beauty. Turn your day-to-day routine upside down and expand your horizons!

Things to Know About Slovakia

You’ll find that Slovaks really value modesty. Don’t be surprised if people have a hard time accepting compliments. Slovakian food is similar to other Central European countries and you can expect a lot of potatoes and dumplings. Vegetarianism might not be very common but it’s possible to get by without eating meat. Slovaks pride themselves on being helpful and generous and you’ll probably find that strangers are eager to lend a helping hand.

70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	Current high school students and recent graduates are eligible.
Minimum GPA	Must be in good academic standing (recommended GPA of 2.5 or above).
Age Range	Specific age requirements may apply; contact AFS for more details.
COVID-19 Vaccine	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 Slovakia

Your program will begin in New York City, where you’ll meet your fellow AFSers from the United States and attend an overnight orientation. You’ll learn some important details about your first few days in Slovakia and get a chance to talk to a cultural expert who recently spent some time there. Then you’ll travel to Bratislava, where you’ll be met by AFS staff and volunteers.

On your way to your host community you’ll get a chance to see some of the sights and sounds of Slovakia. Before heading out of the capital city, Bratislava, you’ll see what a true “café culture” looks like, with cobblestone streets closed off for lunch-goers to drink coffee and snack on pastries. As you make your way into the countryside, you’ll see lots of beautiful mountains, fertile plains, lush forests, and Slovakia’s famous hot springs and mud pools. In the villages and bustling cities you’re bound to hear Slovaks talking about politics, a popular conversation topic among this country that gained in independence in the mid 1990’s. You might also get to see a Slovak dance troupe performing traditional dances and singing folk songs.

Your Accommodations

You might live anywhere in Slovakia. It’s possible that you’ll be in an urban area but most host families live in smaller towns and villages. Some families in Slovakia own cottages in the countryside, where they enjoy spending time gardening or even mushroom-hunting.

Meeting Your Host Family

Family connections are very important in Slovakia and families usually live near by their relatives so you can expect to get together with extended family often. On the weekends you’ll likely go on family excursions, ranging from going to the movies, hiking, camping, attending local festivals, cultural events, and art exhibits.

Your High School in Slovakia

You’ll likely attend a gymnasium, a highly competitive school that’s intended to prepare students for university. School in Slovakia runs 8AM to 2:30PM, Monday through Friday. You might find school in Slovakia to be more formal than you’re used to; you’ll have a set curriculum that will include Slovak language, history, physical education, and mathematics.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in Slovakia

When you’re not at school or spending time with you family, you’ll probably be out and about with your friends. Teenagers in Slovakia spend a lot of time outside or playing sports, especially soccer. There’s at least one soccer team in every village and town. Ice hockey is also popular. Slovakia is very mountainous so if you like skiing, you’re in luck come wintertime!

Foods You’ll Encounter

Slovak food tends to be pretty hearty; meat is usually the main dish and it’s often served with dumplings or potatoes. The national dish is bryndzove halusky, dumplings with cheese and bacon. You can also expect to have good, hearty bread with most meals. Cabbage and potatoes are the most common vegetables. You’ll also see lots of fresh fruit and delicious pastries and sweets, though.

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 Slovakia?	Yes
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	Mail
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Average
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 high school in Hong Kong, 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 Hong Kong.

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