Description

Paraguay, is alive with tradition, fusing the indigenous Guarani Indian culture with the culture of the Spanish conquistadors. While Spanish is the national language, you'll hear the native language of Guarani spoken often, which will provide you with a learning experience. West of Rio Paraguay is the hot infertile plain of Gran Chaco, so ninety-eight percent of the population lives in the more verdant eastern half. In that half lie many fascinating locations, such as the riverside capital of Asuncion, Jesuit mission ruins, and national parks. Paraguayan social life revolves around the family and soccer. In Paraguay you'll most likely live in a small town with easy access to a nearby city. While your host family may not have all of the modern conveniences that are common in the U.S. (dishwashers, microwaves, or central air conditioning), you'll find yourself looking at the world through different eyes. Paraguay is modernizing as a country, yet you will still find Guarani Indians selling feathered headdresses in city plazas, and a traditional pace of life!

Highlights

Year, Gap Year, Semester, and Gap Semester High School Programs:

You will be warmly welcomed by AFS Paraguay and brought to a 2-day orientation camp. During the camp you will learn about the country, it's language, and culture. From the camp you will either be picked up by your Paraguay host family or brought to the family. While staying with the family you will attend a local high school. What is interesting about Paraguay's school system is that you stay in the same classroom all day and the teachers switch rooms. To understand the country better and make new friends you can join after school activities, such as soccer. It is also a great way to practice your Spanish. Throughout the year there will be programs or activities that AFS puts together for you to meet other AFSers and get a break from your exchange life.

Gap Year and Gap Semester Community Service Programs:

You'll have lots of options if you volunteer in Paraguay. Start with language classes for the first few weeks while you stay with your host family. After the few weeks of language classes you'll begin a community service project full-time that is matched with your needs and skills. You might help in a daycare center for needy or disabled children, assist an environmental organization, or work in a local library or radio station. Throughout the program there will be orientation activities, from AFS Paraguay, held in different parts of the country to give participants the opportunity to see more of the country.

Summer Community Service:

Have an action packed seven weeks of summer in Paraguay! During your seven weeks stay in Paraguay time will be spent either doing community service, spending time with your family, or participating in AFS activities. You will be able not only learn from the people and the country but also contribute to them.

Summer Soccer Camp:

Want to improve your soccer skills while learning Spanish? This program offers an amazing soccer camp which focuses on passing, shooting, ball-control, tactical skills, and teamwork. The instructors will start off with Spanish and a little English and slowly stop speaking English all together. The idea is to immerse yourself in the Spanish language and be able to not only understand but speak the language. When your not in camp you will be with a host family and exploring Paraguay.

Summer Language Study:

Spend seven weeks immersed in the Spanish language. Spanish classes will be five days a week, either in the morning or afternoon. The classes are based on student's Spanish level, according to the online test AFS send to you. When your not in class you can spend time with your family, explore the country, or learn more about the history and culture of Paraguay.

Qualifications

- Be within the program age range at the start of the program. Refer to website.
- Have a minimum 2.8 GPA
- Be in good mental, physical and emotional health.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Language Immersion
• High School Study Abroad

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please refer to AFS-USA website.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Professional guidance and support throughout the entire application and program
- Placement with a carefully selected volunteer host family
- Placement with a host school
- Round-trip international travel
- Orientations prior to departure and after your arrival
- Comprehensive secondary medical insurance
- Visa information
- Access to a support network that includes AFS Professional Staff in the U.S. and your host country, plus thousands of trained volunteers worldwide.
- 24-hour emergency assistance

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Scholarships are Available

If you are a qualified student and make a personal commitment to going abroad with AFS, AFS will make a commitment to helping you achieve that goal. AFS offers more than USD 1.5 million in both merit-and need-based scholarships and financial aid to students each year. To be eligible for need-based financial aid, students must have qualifying academics (minimum GPA of 2.8 for year and semester programs), an interest in community service, and flexibility about destination, in addition to demonstrating financial need. To qualify for merit-based scholarships, students must have a strong record of academic commitment and community involvement, among other specific requirements. Interested students should contact their Advisors at AFS or call us right away because many funds have deadlines far in advance of program deadlines or are awarded on first-come-first-served basis.

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview Required
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

varies

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement

AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded

1947