AFS Summer Programs?

Question

I've been researching summer programs abroad, and I am interested in AFS. (http://www.afscanada.com/)

I'll be 15.5 by summer 2009..

What countries do you recommend?

What does the "required fundraising" mean and what counts as "fundraising?"

Thanks ! =]

Answer 1

Countries I would recommend that they offer are Finland, Argentina, Latvia or Paraguay. But also I would recommend doing a year program, because once you come back from the summer you will have wished you went the year instead...

Fundraising would be, like doing a car wash to raise money, or selling stuff, or having people donate to you.

Here is a very helpful website forum: http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/?

Answer 2

I did the AFS summer program many years ago.  I can say they were well organized and I felt like I had a contact at every  point in my journey.  Do your own research on which country you'd like to visit.  When I went, they paired me with a family & culture they thought I'd fit in best.  I was able to say my "preferred" country, but those are not always available.  I went to Brazil, and had a fabulous time.  Think about weather, culture, & language.