Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | January 2010 | January 2011 | $12,500 + visa | 16 - 18.6 |
Bolivia, the “Jewel of the Andes” is a medium-sized country located in the heart of South America, surrounded by Peru, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Bolivia is one of only two landlocked countries in South America and was once part of the Inca empire. Even though the nation was later ruled by Spain, today much of the population retains old Indian styles of clothing, music, festivals and language. Bolivia offers incredible cultural diversity, being home to more than 30 different ethnic groups who strongly resist cultural change.
Family life
Family life is the backbone of Bolivian society. Most families consist of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Supervising the children and managing the household are normally the responsibilities of the wife, although it may be common for your host family to have one or more maids. The husband is likely to be occupied with work outside the home. Children are expected to show respect for their parents, accept their guidance regarding activities and friends and keep their curfews.
School life
The school year runs from late February through to November, with a 15-day winter holiday in June-July and summer holidays from December to February. Classes normally run from 8am to 1pm, five days a week. Many schools require a uniform and sometimes also a sport uniform.
After-school activities such as music, chorus, dance or sports are offered by some schools. They may also have sports teams for such games as soccer, volleyball and basketball.
AFS Bolivia does not accept vegetarians and students must have pre-existing Spanish skills before departure.
