School

Students in Paraguay attend school from the time they are 3 until the age of 18, when they complete their third and final year of high school. YFU exchange students may be placed in either a public or private school.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

Upon arrival in Paraguay, students will attend another orientation with all YFU students participating in the program. This orientation is conducted in English and is meant to give an introduction to the country, customs, and things to expect while in Paraguay. You will also participate in a language training course in which you will learn not only Spanish language skills, but also practical lessons about Paraguay by visiting museums, malls, stores, and other places around the city! All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Extracurriculars

Many Paraguayans love spending time outdoors hiking through the mountains, rainforests, and visiting natural waterfalls. Students are encouraged to get involved in any extracurricular activities offered by their host school or local community, which include clubs and sports.

Optional Excursions

Students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

**Ciudad del Este: ** Previously students have had the opportunity to participate in a 4-day trip to the city of Ciudad del Este in late January or early February. In addition to being the second largest city in Paraguay this scenic place is home to the "Triple Frontier" - a junction of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. During this trip students will take part in both educational and scenic tours of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, ecological parks, waterfalls, and museums.

Volunteer Program

Gap Year Volunteer: Students 18 - 26 are encouraged to apply for the Community Service Program in Paraguay! Students have the opportunity to live with a host family while also partnering with a local non profit to assist in community service efforts such as social work, education, childhood & adolescence, biology, and health. Students are encouraged to state their area of volunteering interest in their application so we are able to place them with an organization that meets their interests. We ask that applicants for this program are high school graduates, and while there is no formal language requirement, applicants should be willing to learn Spanish during the intensive Spanish classes that take place during the first two weeks of the program. This program offers students an incredible experience to immerse themselves in a culture while also building their resume!

**Combination Program: ** With this program, students get the opportunity to make the transition from secondary school to volunteering while also exploring a new culture and developing their global citizenship! Students spend the first semester of the year attending school as a "13th year" and the second semester volunteering with a local NGO. Students stay with one host family as they make this transition. Program details such as orientations, excursions, and tuition inclusions are the same as the high school and summer programs.

School

Students in Paraguay attend school from the time they are 3 until the age of 18, when they complete their third and final year of high school. YFU exchange students may be placed in either a public or private school.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

Upon arrival in Paraguay, students will attend another orientation with all YFU students participating in the program. This orientation is conducted in English and is meant to give an introduction to the country, customs, and things to expect while in Paraguay. You will also participate in a language training course in which you will learn not only Spanish language skills, but also practical lessons about Paraguay by visiting museums, malls, stores, and other places around the city! All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Extracurriculars

Many Paraguayans love spending time outdoors hiking through the mountains, rainforests, and visiting natural waterfalls. Students are encouraged to get involved in any extracurricular activities offered by their host school or local community, which include clubs and sports.

Optional Excursions

Students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

**Ciudad del Este: ** Previously students have had the opportunity to participate in a 4-day trip to the city of Ciudad del Este in late January or early February. In addition to being the second largest city in Paraguay this scenic place is home to the "Triple Frontier" - a junction of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. During this trip students will take part in both educational and scenic tours of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, ecological parks, waterfalls, and museums.

Volunteer Program

Volunteer: Students 18 - 25 are encouraged to apply for the Community Service Program in Paraguay! Students have the opportunity to live with a host family while also partnering with a local non profit to assist in community service efforts such as social work, education, childhood & adolescence, biology, and health. Students are encouraged to state their area of volunteering interest in their application so we are able to place them with an organization that meets their interests. We ask that applicants for this program are high school graduates, and while there is no formal language requirement, applicants should be willing to learn Spanish during the intensive Spanish classes that take place during the first two weeks of the program. This program offers students an incredible experience to immerse themselves in a culture while also building their resume!

Volunteer Program

Students 18 - 25 are encouraged to apply for the Community Service Program in Paraguay! Students have the opportunity to live with a host family while also partnering with a local non profit to assist in community service efforts such as social work, education, childhood & adolescence, biology, and health. Students are encouraged to state their area of volunteering interest in their application so we are able to place them with an organization that meets their interests. We ask that applicants for this program are high school graduates, and while there is no formal language requirement, applicants should be willing to learn Spanish during the intensive Spanish classes that take place during the first two weeks of the program. This program offers students an incredible experience to immerse themselves in a culture while also building their resume!

Orientations

All students applying for the trimester must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

Upon arrival in Paraguay, students will attend another orientation with all YFU students participating in the program. This orientation is conducted in English and is meant to give an introduction to the country, customs, and things to expect while in Paraguay. You will also participate in a language training course in which you will learn not only Spanish language skills, but also practical lessons about Paraguay by visiting museums, malls, stores, and other places around the city! All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Extracurriculars

Many Paraguayans love spending time outdoors hiking through the mountains, rainforests, and visiting natural waterfalls. Students are encouraged to get involved in any extracurricular activities offered by their host school or local community, which include clubs and sports.

Optional Excursions

Students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

**Ciudad del Este: ** Previously students have had the opportunity to participate in a 4-day trip to the city of Ciudad del Este in late January or early February. In addition to being the second largest city in Paraguay this scenic place is home to the "Triple Frontier" a junction of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. During this trip students will take part in both educational and scenic tours of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, ecological parks, waterfalls, and museums.

Volunteer Program

Students 18 - 25 are encouraged to apply for the Community Service Program in Paraguay! Students have the opportunity to live with a host family while also partnering with a local non profit to assist in community service efforts such as social work, education, childhood & adolescence, biology, and health. Students are encouraged to state their area of volunteering interest in their application so we are able to place them with an organization that meets their interests. We ask that applicants for this program are high school graduates, and while there is no formal language requirement, applicants should be willing to learn Spanish during the intensive Spanish classes that take place during the first two weeks of the program. This program offers students an incredible experience to immerse themselves in a culture while also building their resume!

Orientations

All students applying for the Summer program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in Paraguay, students will attend another orientation with all YFU students participating in the program. This orientation is conducted in English and is meant to give an introduction to the country, customs, and things to expect while in Paraguay. You will also participate in a language training course in which you will learn not only Spanish language skills, but also practical lessons about Paraguay by visiting museums, malls, stores, and other places around the city! All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Extracurriculars

Many Paraguayans love spending time outdoors hiking through the mountains, rainforests, and visiting natural waterfalls. Students are encouraged to get involved in any extracurricular activities offered by their host school or local community, which include clubs and sports.