Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Price | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | July | $73,800 | 15-18.6 |
Steeped in history, the Czech Republic is one of Europe’s small to mid-sized countries (population 10.4 million). The capital is Prague with a population of 1.2 million. The Czech Republic has great cultural appeal because of its natural beauty, rich history and many well-preserved architectural monuments of various styles documenting its past.
The language is Czech. The religion of the Czech people is predominantly Roman Catholic but access to other religions is possible. The climate is cool and varies according to altitude.
AFS in Czech Republic
Czechoslovakia is one of AFS’s original countries. Two students went from Czechoslovakia to the USA 1947-48. One of those students, Dr. Jara David Masorova was the Czech Republic’s Ambassador to Australia.
Czechia rejoined AFS at the end of the cold war. Australia has been sending from 2 to 5 students there annually since 1992. Hosting 30 students each year and sending approximately the same number, Czechia has a small but strong AFS program. It is based on local volunteers and supportive high schools.
Host Schools
Czech schools will accept AFS and other exchange students who have had their 15th birthday but have not yet had their 18th birthday by arrival day.
Schools in Czechia have 500 – 600 students with class sizes of 25 – 30. Hours are from 8:00 am until 2:00 or 3:00 pm. Most schools are public or state schools but the number of private schools has been increasing since 1990.
A typical subject list includes: Czech language and literature, German, English, History, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and PE. Extra curricula activities include sport or dance clubs which are, more often than not, organised through youth or community organisations, rather than school.
Host Families
Czech families are hospitable, friendly and eager to help their AFS students in all respects. At the same time, they are traditional and parents are quite strict with their children. Czech families love to eat!
With a traditional diet that includes meat, Czech families are hesitant to host students who are vegetarian. Most AFS host families in Czechia have a son or daughter who will attend school with the AFSer.
For the official website of AFS Czech Republic, please refer to the front page.
