Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Program Cost | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Year | Late July | Late June | US$10,000 | 16 - 18 |
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.
New Zealand Details :
Everyone knows New Zealand’s landscape of glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and islands served as Middle Earth in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, and more recently was the location for his King Kong. Experiencing the country’s immenseness and beauty firsthand is staggering. New Zealand consists of two islands divided by Cook Strait (which takes approximately three hours by ferry to cross). The North Island boasts volcanoes, hot springs, mud pools, geysers, and beautiful beaches, while the South Island has rugged Alpine mountains, glaciers, and access to activities like swimming with dolphins and whale-watching.
New Zealand is a multicultural country with the two predominant cultures being the European (or Pakeha) and the Maori. These two influence each other to create a unique combination of traditions and art. There is also a Pacific Island influence, and a growing Asian culture, as well as a plethora of other minority groups, which makes for a diverse mix of cuisine, music, art, and architecture. The way of life is generally relaxed. Sports and the outdoors play a huge part in the life of a Kiwi, as New Zealanders are affectionately called. The most notable of these are rugby, cricket, soccer, bush-walking, tramping, snow-sports, water-sports, netball, and basketball.
Dinner is the main meal, and while the most traditional meal is the roast—a huge family feast—in recent years many other cultural influences have penetrated cuisine. If it’s a special occasion, you may get the opportunity to experience the traditional Maori way of cooking food—a hangi, similar to a Hawaiian luau, where meat and vegetables are baked in an underground oven for several hours.
Year and Semester :
The school year runs from February through December, with three two-week breaks and a long summer holiday of about 6 weeks in December and January. AFS exchange students are usually placed in public schools, which are the equivalent grades of a junior or senior. Five subjects are stud ied. Of these, English and mathematics are compulsory while the other three are academic and/or practical. There are also optional classes which will be new to many U.S. students. These include outdoor recreation, tourism, agriculture and catering, sports clubs, Maori kapa haka cultural groups, choir, and drama clubs. Almost every Kiwi teen is involved in some sort of sport, but in addition to their passion for being active, you’ll discover your friends enjoy music, movies, festivals, theater, or just meeting in cafés or at social gatherings. There is an optional tour of the North or South Island during holidays, in addition to regular AFS orientations and local AFS Chapter activities.
Summer Homestay Outdoor Education :
Rock climbing, canoeing, caving, whitewater rafting, and hiking—all led by professional guides…how’s that for adventure! You’ll spend three weeks at a camp with fun and rigorous outdoor activities, which will also develop your leadership, decision-making, and teamwork skills. In the four weeks that follow, you’ll live with a host family and participate in volunteer projects as you explore what it’s like to live as a member of a family and community in New Zealand.
