High School in Slovakia

Study Abroad in Slovakia

Slovakia is an ideal place to experience high school and family life through a brand-new lens. While attending high school in Slovakia, you’ll be completely immersed in Slovakian society, having the opportunity to learn the Slovak 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 explore the deeper layers of its vast beauty. You’ll be surrounded by a cross-section of cultures, as Slovakia is a landlocked country bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, and Hungary to the south. Step outside your comfort zone, shake up your routine, and broaden your horizons!

Things to Know About Slovakia

Slovaks may seem reserved when you first meet them, but as relationships develop, you’ll often find people to be warm, sincere, and open with their friends and family. Humility is highly valued in Slovak culture, so some people may be modest when receiving compliments. Reliability and punctuality are also appreciated, reflecting the country’s efficient public transportation system and respect for others’ time. Many visitors find Slovaks to be welcoming, generous, and willing to help when needed.

Slovakia is known for its stunning natural beauty, featuring a diverse landscape of lowlands, mountain ranges, and picturesque valleys. Much of the country is part of the Western Carpathian Mountains, and nearly 40% of Slovakia is covered by forests, offering breathtaking scenery throughout the year. Sports are an important part of life, and ice hockey is especially popular. Slovakia has produced many talented players who have competed at the highest levels of the sport around the world.

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, 11 months at start of program
Language Skills	No 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 Slovakia

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 Slovakia will begin when you land in Bratislava, where you’ll be met by staff, volunteers and meet your fellow AFSers from around the world. Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Slovak culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

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 explore Slovakia, you’ll encounter a diverse landscape of beautiful mountains, fertile plains, lush forests, and the country’s renowned hot springs. Whether you’re hosted in a small village or a larger city, you’ll experience a society that is engaged with current events and public life. As one of Europe’s youngest independent nations, having gained independence in 1993, Slovakia continues to shape its modern identity while celebrating its rich cultural heritage. You may also have the opportunity to watch traditional dance performances, hear folk music, and experience customs that have been passed down through generations.

Your Accommodations

Meeting Your Slovak Host Family

During your exchange, you could live anywhere in Slovakia. While some host families reside in larger cities, many live in smaller towns and villages, offering a unique opportunity to experience everyday life in different parts of the country. Some Slovak families enjoy spending time at cottages in the countryside, where activities such as gardening, hiking, and mushroom foraging are popular pastimes.

Family relationships often play an important role in Slovak life, and many families maintain close connections with relatives. As a result, you may have opportunities to spend time with extended family and participate in family gatherings. Weekends can include a variety of activities, from visiting local festivals, cultural events, and art exhibits to enjoying outdoor adventures, movie outings, hiking, or camping with your host family.

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 8 am to 2 pm, 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 your host 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 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, delicious pastries, and sweets.

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
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)	In-person
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.