Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | August 2009* | July 2010* | $10,750 + $450 visa | 14.6 - 17.6 |
| AFS semester programme (5-6 months) | August 2009 | January 2010 | $9,150 + $450 visa | 14.6 - 17.6 |
The Soviet empire is gone, but even without its satellite nations, Russia remains so vast that it covers one-eighth of the world’s surface and extends across 11 time zones. Rich in natural beauty, history, and culture, the country offers extreme differences of terrain, from steppes to snowy mountains, deserts to grassy meadows to mighty rivers. Having thrown off Communism, Russians are now grappling with democracy, private industry, free-market economics, and a government that no longer guarantees jobs or incomes. Russians who can negotiate this new system have become rich, but many others are struggling.
Its cities offer some of the finest museums on earth, as well as world-class ballet, opera, theatre, and music. Big cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg are energetic and exuberant, and young artists there are tasting freedoms denied not long ago to such world-renowned artists as Prokofiev and Shostakovich, Solzhenitsyn and Pasternak.
Family life
Family life is very important in Russia, and your hosting experience will probably include extended family members who will be happy to support you. Both parents usually work, and often the grandmother assumes the responsibility of managing the home and caring for the children. Most Russians live in relatively small apartments. Parents expect to know when the children are going out and where they are going.
School life
School starts in September and runs through the end of May. The school year is divided into four terms with holidays between: one week at the start of November, two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s and one week at the end of March. School usually goes from 8:30am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, but some schools run on Saturday.
New types of schools have recently been established which specialise in science, language and fine arts. Schools sometimes offer extracurricular opportunities in music – students can take dance, voice and instrumental lessons – as well as sports.
AFS Russia does not accept vegetarians, smokers or graduates (i.e. students who have finished year 13).
