Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Gateway | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1.Mid February 2.JUL 28-31 |
1.Early January 2.JUL 7-10 |
Miami | 16-18.6 |
| Semester | 1.Mid February 2.JUL 28-31 |
1.Early August 2.JAN 5-7 |
Miami | 16-18.6 |
| Summer Homestay | JUN 23-25 | AUG 10-12 | Miami | 15-18.6 |
| Summer Homestay Plus | JUN 23-25 | AUG 10-12 | Miami | 16-19 |
| Summer Community Service/Team Mission | JUN 23-25 | AUG 10-12 | Miami | 16-19 |
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.
Paraguay Details
Peguahe pora Paraguaipe, bienvenidos a Paraguay, and welcome to Paraguay — a country alive with tradition, fusing the indigenous Guaraní Indian culture with the culture of the Spanish conquistadors, and where the old world meets the modern. West of Rio, Paraguay is the hot infertile plain of Gran Chaco, so 98 percent of the population lives in the more verdant eastern half. In that half, there are many fascinating locations such as the riverside capital of Asunción, Jesuit mission ruins, and national parks. Paraguayan social life revolves around the family and sports, especially soccer. In Paraguay, you’ll most likely live in a small town with easy access to a nearby city. Your host family may not have all of the modern conveniences of the U.S. (dishwashers, microwaves, or central air conditioning), but you’ll find yourself seeing the world with different eyes. Paraguay is modernizing as a country, yet you will still find Guaraní Indians selling feathered headdresses in city plazas, and a traditional pace of life.
Year and Semester Programs
The school year runs from March through November, and you’ll take 11 courses in a standard curriculum such as chemistry, fine arts, geography, literature, and Spanish. AFS Paraguay offers 40 hours of intensive Spanish classes one week after you arrive. Throughout the year, there are orientation activities from AFS Paraguay as well, held in different parts of the country to give participants the opportunity to see more of the country. Have a unique experience in Paraguay and let the Paraguayan people show you some of the hospitality they are known for! View PDF Brochure for Paraguay School Programs.
Summer Homestay Program
While living with your host family, you will improve your Spanish, form close friendships with Paraguayans and other AFS Students by participating in orientations and local activities, and discover places of interest like the Jesuit ruins or the Itaipu Dam–the world’s largest hydroelectric project, encompassing 526 square miles.
Summer Soccer Homestay Plus Program
Come spend seven weeks in Paraguay, live with a host family, explore the culture–and play soccer! Though an exclusive partnership with a renowned Paraguayan soccer school, AFS Paraguay is proud to offer this program to both male and female participants. You will practice soccer techniques, hone technical skills, share in professional players’
expertise, and work with younger soccer students. There will be plenty of opportunities to compete in games against other soccer schools and teams, as well as attend First Division games of the Paraguayan Soccer Association.
Summer Community Service Program
This is a unique program designed to offer participants the opportunity to perform volunteer work, and live with a family for a week in the capital area of Asunción. In coordination with the Moises Bertoni Foundation, participants will have the chance to perform different jobs at a natural reserve. These could include visiting surrounding communities and interacting with indigenous people; assisting with the reforestation of native trees; maintaining camping, recreation, and visitor areas; preparing the paths used by visitors; participating in preservation activities; assisting with maintaining and building bridges; and working with the local community in soil conservation and agriculture.
