Location:

Lima, Peru

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

High School

Term:

Academic Year

Program Overview

Program Description:

AFS (formerly the American Field Service) is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in more than 40 countries around the world. We've been exchanging students throughout the world for 60 years. That is six decades of history and experience in international education with an exemplary record of safety, security, and service to students, parents, and educators.

AFS Mission: AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.

AFS offers a year program to destinations throughout Peru. AFS is currently offering hundreds of scholarships for students flexible with their country choice and ready for an adventure.

Peru's name comes from the Incan word meaning \"land of abundance.\" Once the heart of the great Inca empire and cradle of many other ancient civilizations, Peru has history, anthropology, and archeology in abundance... In Peru the grading system is much different than the typical letter grading system used herein the U.S. Take a look at how you as a Peruvian student will be graded when you are in school. Exceptional: 19-20 Excellent: 17-18 Good:15-16 Average: 12-14 Poor: 11 Failing: 0-10

Colleges recommend high school study abroad experiences - as these programs provide the opportunity to develop confidence and self-reliance before pursuing higher education. In addition, after exploring the world you may have a clearer vision of what you'd like to study in college. As a result, you may spend less time switching majors, which means you'll save time and money. An exchange program also boosts college applications and gives you an immediate advantage when applying for scholarships.

Plus, the language skills you develop on an AFS program might exempt you from required language courses, thus enabling you to finish college sooner. Some students have received as much as 18 hours language credit-almost enough to provide a minor in language and a huge financial savings when you figure the cost of credits.

Setting Description:

Located in the west central part of South America, Peru's terrain includes: Andean peaks surrounding Machu Picchu, lush tropical rainforests, Amazonian jungles, sandy beaches, arid deserts, and remote farmland oases and fishing villages. Likewise, Peru's cuisine is rich in variety and has influences from Spanish, Chinese, European, African, and Japanese cultures. Peru's people are also diverse: nearly half the population is Quechua Indian, descendants of the Incas, who live in the highlands of the Sierra; mestizos, whose heritage is part-Indian and part-European, comprise another segment of Peru's populace; and 10 percent are of Spanish ancestry. But you'll learn that all Peruvians are known for their warmth and spirit.