Eligibility Requirements
A basic knowledge of the English language is a requirement for all available programs. You are expected to learn the local language, to integrate yourself in your host family and to attend your school regularly and actively. You should be in good health and depending on the country certain vaccinations or medical test may also be required. If you are or have been in psychological treatment over the last eighteen months some countries may not accept your application. Vegetarian, vegan or other dietary restrictions will likely complicate the search for a suitable host family. Smoking will have the same effect and in certain countries it’s even illegal to smoke as a minor. Your future host family’s beliefs may range from agnostic to highly religious, you are neither expected to adopt their beliefs nor to hide your own. But it is very important that you are open and understanding towards other religions.
Age: 15 years and 6 months – 18 years and 6 months at the beginning of the program
*We are committed to worldwide youth exchanges. For us, this means that ideally, as parents, you will also host an AFS guest child. The prices shown here assume this. If you are unable to welcome someone into your family for at least 3 months, the prices will increase by CHF 1,000, which will help us to partially cover the high costs of searching for a host family in Switzerland.