During their exchange program with AFS, students will live in a host family, attend a local school and therefore experience a foreign culture up close. AFS á Íslandi provides a preparation camp before departure (Undirbúningsnámskeið) and a reorientation-camp (heimskomnámskeið) where students can share their experience with volunteers and other exchange students.
The experience begins near the capital city of Prague, where the students participate in a training weekend to prepare them for their homestay and school placement. AFS volunteers and staff organise this and subsequent meetings during the stay. Around six weeks after arrival, there is another meeting to discuss experiences and situations that have arisen during the first period. In January, students on the annual programme attend a weekend meeting for a more in-depth evaluation of their progress, which is enriched by discussion and comparison with other students. To conclude the training and reflection on the experience, the students meet one last time before packing their bags for their return. This takes place in January for students on the semester programme and in June for those on the annual programme.
AFS Czech Republic offers lots of activities organized by volunteers (such as picnics, sightseeing, ski trips, barbecues, etc.); there are plenty of options if the students wish to attend any of these events,the cost of which is not included in the participation fee. Volunteers, young returnees and staff provide support throughout the whole year.
While abroad, each student will be assigned a volunteer (liaison) to accompany them throughout their journey, helping them to understand the local reality and overcome difficulties in cultural adjustment.
Host families with AFS are voluntarily hosting, come from all kinds of socio-economic backgrounds and can be very different from each other. Where they live can also vary; some of them live in cities, while others live in more rural or suburban areas.
Depending on where the host family lives, AFS students may be placed in private or international schools.