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From the flat plains in the north, to the lush rolling hills and wooded valleys brushing against rugged mountains in the south, Serbia’s countryside is a good contrast to the bustling modern cities of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis. Outgoing and talkative, friendly and hospitable, the Serbs are rather relaxed and laid back and the most frequently used phrase every foreigner learns first is nema problema – no problem!

Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city, is a lively and upcoming European city with the Sava and Danube rivers running right through it. It has a population of around two million people and hosts many cultural, artistic and sporting events. It is also known for its beer festival, held every August, Foam Fest, held in September, and EXIT, the biggest music festival in South Eastern Europe, held at the beginning of July. An artificial lake on the Sava river attracts up to 300,000 bathers a day in the summer. Belgrade also attracts weekend visitors from across Europe who are drawn to its friendly nightlife atmosphere and clubs which stay open until dawn. Barges along the rivers add to the party.

Serbia has a rich cultural history and many monasteries, fortresses and temples as well as the remains of the oldest human settlement, Lepenski Vir. Mountain tourism, mineral spas and hunting and fishing are popular. If you are looking for fun, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people, Serbia is the place for you.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be 16, 17 or 18
Enrolled in a NZ school
Getting ‘achieved’ or more in your school work

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Host Family Placement
  • Housing
  • Meals
  • School Placement
  • Medical Insurance
  • 24/7 Emergency Support
  • Assistance with Application Process
  • Visa Application Assistance
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Orientations during your time abroad
  • Access to Alumni Network
  • Continuous Support
  • Worldwide Presence
  • 70 Years Experience

What you are responsible for

  • Vaccinations
  • Visa and Passport Fees
  • School Uniform
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Host family and culture

AFS students live all over Serbia, from small towns in the Pannonian Plain in the north, the more mountainous southern region and the capital city Belgrade. Serbian families enjoy gathering for Sunday lunch to discuss the events of the week, and relaxing in front of television after a busy work day.

Serbian food is a mix of Turkish, Greek, and Hungarian ingredients and flavors. Meat (chicken, lamb or pork), vegetables, potatoes and rice make a daily menu in Serbia. Bread is commonly eaten with other dishes, like the popular sarma, stuffed cabbage rolls, ćevapi and pljeskavica—traditional minced meat dishes. Don’t miss out on all the delicious pastries, local cheeses and desserts.

AFS Serbia

Language and school

The official language is Serbian, the only European language that actively uses two alphabets—Cyrillic and Latin. Having a basic knowledge of English will be helpful. AFS will provide materials, links and language lessons in the first three months of your stay. Also expect have intensive language courses at AFS orientations.

You will probably attend a typical, university-preparatory high school in Serbia. School runs from September through June, (Monday through Friday) in two shifts: 8 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm—and your school might alternate between these two options. All high schools offer general subjects, like math, Serbian language, English and another foreign language (like German or French), biology, geography, history, physics and chemistry. Some put more emphasis on sciences; others focus on social studies. Classes are lecture-oriented with some possibilities for individual or group projects.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Kick-start your future with AFS and discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.

This programme begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations, other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations which will help you maximize your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community as well as gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad, and as you return to your home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family the whole way through.

Find out more