High School Homestays Programs in India

India is bounded to the southwest by the Arabian Sea, to the southeast by the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean to the south. Along its northeastern frontier are the Himalayas, which form India's geographic boundary with the People's Republic of China, Bhutan, and Nepal. The Ganges is the longest river in India and along its western frontier is the Thar Desert, which is the seventh-largest in the world. The terrain varies from the Himalayas to flat river valleys. The climate is Alpine to temperate to subtropical monsoon. Four major world religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism – originated in India. On the other hand, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam arrived with traders in the first millennium CE and helped shape the region's diverse culture. While Hindi and English are the official languages, there are more than 1,500 dialects. Family life and school are central in India. Most of India is rural, though the cities are growing. AFS host family placements are located throughout India.

Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and how the mighty Himalayas affect coastal communities downstream, you can start to explore your purpose and the role you want to play in a globally interconnected world. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 5

Join us for a trekking intensive program that explores environmental and rural community resiliency among one of the most stunning landscapes on Earth. This four-week summer abroad in North India is for students interested in engaging in environmental and cultural preservation, honing their trekking skills*, and learning about Tibetan Buddhism. Clinging to the far western flank of the Tibetan plateau, jagged peaks and windswept valleys have preserved mainly the indigenous mountain cultures of Ladakh. Our exploration begins close to the regional capital, Leh, where we acclimatize to the elevation. We examine how the unique Ladakhi heritage and fragile high desert ecosystem interact with the region's shifting cultural, ecological, and economic pressures. * Note: Participants receive Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification.