WHAT MAKES AN AFS STUDENT?
AFS looks for enthusiastic young people who are adaptable, flexible and have a desire to learn and integrate into a new culture. Students participating in the year program should be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old on departure. Interviews are held throughout the year. A candidate must be selected and submit final papers and deposit six months before departure. Although academic performance is not the ultimate criteria, students should have at least a 60% average in order to participate in this program.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Year Program:

Year Programme (10 Months)
Departure: Feb/March

Hungary, Portugal and Turkey R 60 800

Austria, Belgium (Flanders),
Belgium (French), Czech Republic,
Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt,
Spain, Finland, France, Germany,
Holland, Indonesia, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Malaysia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay,
Peru, Philippines, Russia,
Sweden and Switzerland R 65 800

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China,
Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Honduras, Japan
Mexico, Thailand and Venezuela R 68 800

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA R 79 800

Semester Program

Semester Program (4-6 Months)
Departure: Aug/Sept

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile,
Costa Rica, Czech Republic,
Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany,
Hong Kong, Honduras, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Russia,
Thailand and Venezuela R 56 800

New Zealand and USA R 69 500

Intensive Program:

Intensive Program (2 months)
Departure: End November
Germany (Programme condition is reciprocity) R 24 200
Germany (If boarder and reciprocity is not possible) R 32 900
France R 32 900
Italy R 31 900
Malaysia R 29 900

A 35% deposit is payable with final application papers upon your acceptance into the program. The remaining amount must be paid at least one month before departure.

The cost of the program covers:

- International travel from Johannesburg to your destination and return

- Domestic travel from your arrival point to your host family and return at the end of the year

- Comprehensive medical insurance

- Orientation activities before you leave South Africa

- Arrival, mid-year and departure orientations in your host country

- School Fees

- School transport

- Coordination of board and lodging with a host family

- 24 hours emergency support

- Support and administration from a National Office

- Personal support from a volunteer contact person

The cost of the program does not cover pocket money, baggage insurance or visa fees charged by foreign embassies.

I DON’T HAVE ANY FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE. HOW WILL I COMMUNICATE?
Many AFS Participants start with little or no experience in the language of their host country, but they quickly learn to communicate at a basic level. Each day gets better and by the end of their year or semester abroad, many AFS Participants are fluent in their host country’s language. There is no better way to learn a language than by speaking it 24/7! Many AFS programs also offer language instruction to start you off on the right foot.

HOW WILL THE AFS EXPERIENCE AFFECT MY EDUCATION?
AFS is education beyond the classroom. Apart from any formal study undertaken during a program, you will return with new skills in setting priorities, dealing with pressure and new challenges.

WHERE WILL I LIVE?
You will be placed with a local family. AFS host families fill out an application and are screened by local AFS volunteers. They are selected for their qualities of stability, flexibility and interest in receiving a foreigner in their home, and they come in many shapes and sizes. For example, some host families have children the same age as the AFS participant, but others have older or younger children, or no children at all. You can include any requests about your host family on your application, but we cannot guarantee that such requests will be fulfilled.
AFS expects host families to provide their hosted participant with his/her own bed, although not necessarily his/her own room. Host families are advised to treat their participants as a member of the family, not a guest, and therefore AFS participants usually are asked to do chores around the house, just like the other children in the host family.

WILL IT BE SAFE TO GO OVERSEAS?
AFS has over 50 years of experience in organising intercultural programs. We have handled some difficult situations over this time, using our proven AFS risk management and emergency procedures. AFS staff and volunteers are fully trained to deal with any type of emergency whether it is medical, personal or political. The situation in each of our partner countries is regularly monitored through our international head office. AFS also provides 24-hour support for participants and families around the world.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GET TO MY HOST COUNTRY?
You will attend an arrival orientation to introduce you to your new country, as well as to other AFS Participants. You will meet your host family who will provide you with your housing, food, and the same care they give their own children. AFS Host Families do not receive monetary compensation. Since this is a new family, language, and culture, there are some adjustments you will have to make. However, you’ll have the support of local AFS Staff and Volunteers, and you’ll learn how to take care of yourself pretty quickly.

THIS IS SUCH A BIG STEP. HOW DO I TALK TO MY PARENTS ABOUT IT?
The decision to study and live abroad takes a lot of thought. Your parents are bound to have a lot of questions. They’ll want to know about AFS, how serious you are about the program, where you want to go, what you’ll do there, and especially what you hope to gain from the experience. We can help with some of those questions, and we can also put them in touch with other parents whose children have studied abroad with AFS. Ask them to call 011 447 2673 to speak with our Sending Coordinator.

Please note: There are also scholarships available. If you want to know more about this possibility, please contact us!*