Eligibility Requirements
Participants must be between the ages of 14,6 – 17,6 years old on the day of departure.
The AFS Program
After your host parents greet you with traditional hospitality, it shouldn’t be long before you feel at home in their open, friendly community. By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in a new language and customs, and what you learn during the day will be reinforced at night when you spend time with your host family. This is your chance to break out of your comfort zone and join in this diverse and ever-evolving culture.
Your high school
Being a high school student in Russia will give you a unique opportunity to make new friends and learn the language. You’ll also get a chance to learn about Russia’s rich literary tradition. The vast majority of Russian schools are public, and you could be in class with students of a variety of ages. The school year runs from September through May, with three short vacations in between. Depending on your school you might also be able to take extracurricular classes in dance, music, or sports.
For more information on fees and scholarships.
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 feel like you can do anything you set your mind to. That transformation isn’t visible only to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers, ranging from language fluency to intercultural competence and critical reasoning. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.
