AFS Intercultural Programs: Paraguay Gap-Year and Beyond

  Paraguay

Asuncion

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Year Community Service (Fall/Spring); Semester Community Service (Fall/Spring). Inquire for specific dates.

Description: Paraguay, is alive with tradition, fusing the indigenous Guarani Indian culture with the culture of the Spanish conquistadors. While Spanish is the national language, you'll hear the native language of Guarani spoken often, which will provide you with a learning experience. West of Rio Paraguay is the hot infertile plain of Gran Chaco, so ninety-eight percent of the population lives in the more verdant eastern half. In that half lie many fascinating locations, such as the riverside capital of Asuncion, Jesuit mission ruins, and national parks. Paraguayan social life revolves around the family and soccer. In Paraguay you'll most likely live in a small town with easy access to a nearby city. While your host family may not have all of the modern conveniences that are common in the U.S. (dishwashers, microwaves, or central air conditioning), you'll find yourself looking at the world through different eyes. Paraguay is modernizing as a country, yet you will still find Guarani Indians selling feathered headdresses in city plazas, and a traditional pace of life. AFS host family placements are located throughout Paraguay.

Highlights:
Year and Semester Community Service:

You'll have lots of options if you volunteer in Paraguay. Start with three weeks of language training while you stay with your host family, working only half days. Then you'll begin a community service project full-time that is matched with your needs and skills. You might help in a daycare center for needy or disabled children, assist an environmental organization, or work in a local library or radio station. Throughout each program, there are orientation activities from AFS Paraguay as well, held in different parts of the country to give participants the opportunity to see more of the country. AFS participants are placed with volunteer host families located throughout Paraguay.

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and above

This Program is open to American Participants.

Scholarships are Available. If you are a qualified student and make a personal commitment to going abroad with AFS, AFS will make a commitment to helping you achieve that goal. AFS offers more than USD 1.5 million in both merit-and need-based scholarships and financial aid to students each year. To be eligible for need-based financial aid, students must have qualifying academics (minimum GPA of 2.8 for year and semester programs), an interest in community service, and flexibility about destination, in addition to demonstrating financial need. To qualify for merit-based scholarships, students must have a strong record of academic commitment and community involvement, among other specific requirements. Interested students should contact their Advisors at AFS or call us right away because many funds have deadlines far in advance of program deadlines or are awarded on first-come-first-served basis.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947