Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Gateway | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1.Early February 2.JUL 13-17 |
1.Early January 2.JUL 5-8 | Los Angeles | 16-18 |
| Semester | 1.Early February |
1.Early July 2.JAN 4-7 |
Los Angeles | 16-18 |
| Summer Homestay Plus | JUN 27-30 | AUG 15-17 | Los Angeles | 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. For a more detailed look at age ranges see Programs-at-a-Glance.
New Zealand Details
Everyone knows New Zealand’s landscape of glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and islands from the big screen, but experiencing the country’s immenseness and beauty firsthand is staggering. New Zealand consists of two islands divided by Cook Strait. 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 has two predominant cultures: the European (or Pakeha) and the Maori. These two influence each other to create unique traditions and art. There is also a Pacific Island influence, 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. 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 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 Programs
The school year runs from February through December, with three two-week breaks and a long summer holiday of about six weeks in December and January. Students are usually placed in public schools, in the equivalent grades of junior or senior. Five subjects are studied; of these, English and mathematics are compulsory and the other three are academic and/or practical. There are also optional classes which will be new to many U.S. students, such as 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 the 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. View PDF Brochure for New Zealand School Programs.
Summer Homestay Outdoor Education Program
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 be a member of a family and community in New Zealand.
