Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Program Cost | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Year | Mid August | Late June | US$8,000 | 15.8 - 17.6 |
Age Explanation: Age on Departure reflect both the years and month(s) of the age of the applicant at the start of the program. For example, if the age is listed as 16.1 the applicant should be 16 years and 1 month at departure.
Iceland Details :
With a rugged coastline, and a countryside filled with glaciers, hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, and lava deserts, Iceland is a world apart from it’s northern neighbors. The resilient culture that has developed in this landscape has a rich history; its parliament, the Althin, is the oldest in the world—dating back nearly 1,000 years. Most Icelanders speak English, but you will have the opportunity to learn Icelandic (you’ll receive training tapes and classes during the school year). You’ll also learn that despite its name and location, Iceland’s climate is actually mild because of the warming effects of the Gulf Stream. Icelanders enjoy fishing, swimming in hot springs, soccer, skiing, and horseback riding.
Year :
You’ll enjoy daily life with your host family and friends. From August through May you’ll attend classes in either the last year of grunsskoli (ages 6–16) or framhaldsskoli (ages 16–20). There are three types of framhaldsskoli: college prep, specialized secondary school, and technical school. Icelandic schools offer a lot of after-school activities as there is “competition” between schools. You may join a variety of clubs with your friends such as photography, cinema, choir, or mountaineering. AFS Iceland also has several activities during the year: a two-day camp in the country held about six weeks after arrival; a four-day camp that focuses on cultural excursions; and an optional one-week homestay on a farm after the school year is over.
