Discover an exotic and exciting culture of age-old traditions.

Known as "the land of smiles," Thailand is the gateway of Southeast Asia. This country draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia thanks to an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine, and ruins of fascinating ancient kingdoms. From the mountains of Mae Hong Son to the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, from the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok to tranquil villages along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for everyone.

A diverse culture awaits with influences from China and Burma. Buddhism, which places a high value on hospitality and kindness, is the dominant religion, and you are likely to see orange-robed monks and statues of the Buddha throughout the country. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized by a European power.

You'll most likely have an opportunity to see different parts of the country as extended Thai families enjoy visiting each other. And while you'll learn Thai, English is a required subject in schools, so there'll be plenty of people who speak your language. You'll experience the engaging warmth of the Thai people who will want to learn about you and life in the U.S.

Year and Semester Programs: Upon your arrival, you will take daily language lessons, with a minimum of five hours per week. As you gain proficiency, these lessons may become less frequent. School runs from May to March with a break in October. Thai schools are the center of life for Thai teens, and you and your new friends' social lives will revolve around school. In addition to academic courses, there are a great variety of cultural subjects offered such as Thai language, dancing, sword fighting, music, cooking, arts, history, Buddhism, and meditation.

During your stay, you can travel to and study in a school that is located in a different part of the country for a change of pace. You can also perform community service by helping in English language camps or developing your own project. You can obtain a Certificate of Participation from AFS Thailand and a transcript from your school upon completion of your coursework.

Apply now for the Thailand Year Program departing April 2006. *Full application must be completed by January 9, 2006.

AFS also offers the following programs in Thailand:

• High School Semester Summer Departure
• Summer Homestay
• Summer Community Service
• 18+ Winter & Summer Semester Community Service

AFS is committed to sending all kinds of great students abroad. AFS offers more than $1 million in both full and partial merit-and need-based scholarships. Interested students should become aware of requirements and deadlines, and submit secondary applications along with financial aid applications and essays as soon as possible because programs fill quickly.

Awards for Excellence: You work hard. You’ve been serving your community, acting as a leader among your peers, and keeping a high grade point average the whole time—shouldn’t you be rewarded for all of this? AFS thinks so. That’s why we will award over $200,000 in merit-based scholarships through our Awards for Excellence program this year.

We’ll award 10 full-tuition scholarships and 110 partial scholarships ($1,000 and $2,500) which can be used for any AFS program departing summer ’06 or winter ’07! To get in the running, you must have at least a 3.5 GPA or equivalent, and you’ll need to be nominated by someone at your high school (e.g., teacher, guidance counselor, principal, honor society advisor) no later than December 6th, 2005. Once we receive your nomination, we’ll send you all the information you need to apply. You’ll want plenty of time to complete your application—making sure the scholarship judges understand your excellence in academics, community service, and leadership—so you should submit your nomination as soon as possible.

Other Scholarships: There are many other opportunities for financial assistance through AFS. We have a number of need-based national and regional scholarships, and the good news is that you can apply for all of them with one form! Simply complete the “Application for Scholarships and Financial Aid for AFS Programs Abroad,” and you’ll automatically be considered for any scholarship for which you qualify. Be sure to read the instructions and learn about AFS’s financial aid philosophy and policies before completing your application. Also ask your AFS Volunteers about any local scholarships or fundraising opportunities.

Isn't it fun to see your neighborhood all lit up for the holidays? You can help decorate for the holidays while raising money for your AFS Experience. Here's an idea:

Advertise your decorating expertise to help others get ready for the holidays! Make signs highlighting your skills and include your phone number and email. Post the signs in local coffee shops and public & on- line bulletin boards. You can also distribute them to your family, friends and neighbors. When people contact you coordinate a time to meet to discuss their ideas. You should ask for a set fee or donation. Residential areas are not your only option... Stores will be interested in lights, garlands, window & tree decorating too. Don't forget Thanksgiving decorations as well!