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Summer Camp and Homestay in Mongolia

Live alongside Mongolia’s nomadic communities, explore the vibrant capital of Ulaanbaatar, and discover how tradition and sustainability shape daily life.

Study Abroad at a High School in Mongolia

This three-week summer program invites participants into the heart of Mongolia’s nomadic heritage through shared living, learning, and celebration. The experience begins with a 10-day immersive summer camp in the countryside, where students explore sustainability and global citizenship through Mongolian nomadic wisdom (held in English), alongside a cohort of Mongolia’s next generation of changemakers. Through hands-on activities rooted in nomadic life, students experience sustainability as a daily practice, guided by AFS’s experiential learning approach and Active Global Citizenship framework: Effect+ Curriculum.

Following the camp, participants transition to modern Mongolian life through a host family stay in Ulaanbaatar, gaining insight into contemporary youth culture and everyday life in the capital city. The program culminates with participation in Naadam, Mongolia’s most important national festival, where tradition, sport, and community come together. Throughout the journey, students build lasting friendships, deepen intercultural understanding, and strengthen their commitment to becoming active global citizens.

Things to Know About Summer Camp in Mongolia

The Mongolian countryside is home to one of the world’s last surviving nomadic cultures, a way of life that has lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. These traditions offer a powerful example of sustainability and global citizenship, where resilience, community, and environmental balance shape daily life and reflect a deep connection between people and the land.

In the second half of the program, you will experience modern Mongolia through a homestay with a local family in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Alongside fellow participants, you’ll explore the city’s vibrant culture and gain insight into contemporary life. Experiencing both the countryside and the capital offers a unique perspective on how traditional nomadic values continue to adapt in today’s world.

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare

Program Highlights

Learn environmental responsibility and community values through nomadic daily life.

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA 2.5
Age Range (at program start) 15 years and 0 months to 18 years and 10 months
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 Mongolia

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.

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. Your summer program to Mongolia will begin when you land in Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll by met by AFS volunteers and staff. After attending an introductory orientation with your peers, you’ll travel as a group to your summer camp experience in the countryside near Terelj National Park.

Summer Camp and Homestay in Mongolia_Accomodations (1)

Your Accommodations

During the program, participants will spend time in two environments: first, the Mongolian countryside, then the urban sprawl of Ulaanbaatar. After the summer camp experience, students will stay in homestays with local families in Ulaanbaatar. Each student will have a private bedroom (or shared with a host sibling) and have daily meals provided every day.

Summer Camp and Homestay in Mongolia_Host Family

Meeting Your Host Family in Mongolia

During the homestay portion of your experience, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a local Mongolian family as you share their daily life. Weekdays will consist of cultural visits and AFS workshops, but evenings and weekends will allow plenty of time to get to know your host family. Mongolian life is often characterized by close-knit relationships and interdependence, with shared roles and support for one another. Families are known for being hospitable and down-to-earth, and they also display great respect for their elders. Although there are small communities of various religions, many people in Mongolia are Buddhist.

Summer Camp and Homestay in Mongolia_Accomodations

Exploring the Area

Mongolian life emphasizes arts, music, and community. During your time in the capital, you’ll explore the city with your fellow group members and local Mongolian students. This will provide a window into a more modernized, youth-driven culture, culminating in Naadam, Mongolia’s biggest national festival that celebrates heritage, sports, and community.

Summer Camp and Homestay in Mongolia_Food

Food You’ll Encounter in Mongolia

Due to the prevalent nomadic lifestyle, the Mongolian diet is heavily dependent on animal products. Summer months, often referred to as ‘white months,’ are characterized by dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Because your program will take place during the peak of summer, you’re likely to encounter the national drink of Mongolia – ‘Airag,’ which is fermented mare’s milk and considered very good for one’s health! Although meat is consumed less in the countryside during summer months, it’s generally dried in the summer sun on top of a ger (yurt).

Visiting Ulaanbaatar during the Naadam festival will provide opportunities to try famous festival foods such as Khuushuur – Mongolian ‘meat pockets’ that are fried and filled with ground mutton or beef. Other foods you’ll likely eat in the city include steamed dumplings, stir-fried noodles, and Khorkog, a Mongolian version of barbeque where lamb and vegetables are cooked with red-hot stones.

What's Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 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

Scholarships and Aid

We believe in the power of intercultural experiences and the potential of our students! That’s why we’re dedicated to meeting the demonstrated financial need of accepted applicants. To be considered, you must complete the scholarship application by the deadline corresponding to your program’s departure. Learn more and view all deadlines below!

Learn More View Deadlines

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Indonesia?  Yes 
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)  On arrival to 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. 
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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 Mongolia.

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