Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | August 2011 | July 2012 | $14,900 | 15 - 18.5 |
| AFS semester programme (5-6 months) | January 2011 | July 2011 | $12,500 | 15 - 18.5 |
As a nation of immigrants, the U.S. is often described as a “melting pot,” meaning that U.S. culture is a unified combination of the many cultures brought by people who were born in or came to live in the U.S. While Americans do generally share certain cultural traits, such as the value of hard work, independence and a direct style of communication, pockets of imported cultures exist in most cities. These continue to play a significant role in the daily lives of inhabitants and their values. Note that the picture of U.S. culture that is presented by the entertainment industry to the world is generally an exaggerated version of what a participant may find in typical U.S. towns. Participants will find, however, a country with a great variety of landscapes, climates and lifestyles.
We hope that wherever you are placed, you will discover those things that make your community a unique and wonderful place to live. In addition to the 50 states, the U.S. has several territories and possessions located in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Northwest of Canada is the state of Alaska. The state of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of California.
Family life
It is impossible to describe the typical American family because there really isn’t one. Since the U.S. is a multicultural society, your host family could be African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American or descendants of a variety of European nationalities and ethnicities. Your host family’s cultural background will most likely influence the rules and values of their home lives.
Many AFS host families are not as wealthy as the American families you see on television. In most families, all adult members of the family work. Unlike in many countries, it is not common for a family to have a maid or servants in the home. Family members, including the father and children, usually help with household work, cooking and other daily chores.
School life
There are more than 15,000 school districts in the US, and hundreds can be found in one state alone! As a result, procedures, schedules, required courses, etc. vary greatly from school to school.
In general, the school year is divided into two terms. The first term begins in late August or early September and lasts until late December. The second term begins in January and ends in late May or June. There are usually winter and spring holidays.
The school day begins between 7am and 8:30am and ends around 2pm or 3pm. A typical class lasts about 50 minutes. Some schools now have what is called a block schedule, which typically consists of four blocks of 90 to 120 minutes each.
American classes usually do not have formal lectures. Teachers often prefer discussions in their classrooms, and expect students to ask questions and to contribute ideas and analysis. Class participation is a means for teachers to judge a student’s understanding of a subject. A student’s participation in class discussions may also be used to help determine the student’s final grade.
AFS USA does not accept graduates (i.e. students who have finished year 13) or smokers. Students with physical impairments such as hearing or visual impairments can be placed.
All participants selected for an AFS exchange to the U.S will be required to undergo an interview in Auckland by the USA Immigration Service.
