With its rich history influenced by both the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, Bosnia and Herzegovina offers you the opportunity to rewrite your high school experience amid a diverse mix of culture. Bosnia is an emerging tourist destination, and you can be one of the first to blaze the trail to this dynamic country. By living with a host family and attending a local high school, you’ll be able to learn the language and experience life as a regular teenager. This is more than just a year abroad; it’s a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and build your own adventure in a fascinating and little-known destination.
High School Year in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Venture the beaten path by living with a host family and attending a local school.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must be between the ages of 16 – 18,5 years old on the day of departure.
The AFS Program
After your host parents greet you with traditional hospitality, it shouldn’t be long before you feel at home in their open, friendly community. By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in a new language and customs, and what you learn during the day will be reinforced at night when you spend time with your host family. This is your chance to break out of your comfort zone and join in this diverse and ever-evolving culture.
Your high school
You’ll most likely be enrolled in an academic high school, called a gymnasium. Most gymnasiums offer four directions: natural subjects (chemistry, biology, and physics), math informatics (math, computer science, and physics), languages (English, German, French, Spanish, or Latin) and social subjects (Geography, History and Sociology). In some schools students only have classes in the morning or afternoon, not both, so you’ll get time each day to relax and explore your community. You’ll also want to take advantage of the intensive language courses provided in the first two months of your stay.
For more information on fees, grants and fundraising.
Returning Home
“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad.
“Transformed” is another one. When you return home, if you’re like most AFSers, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and feel like you can do anything you set your mind to. That transformation isn’t visible only to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers, ranging from language fluency to intercultural competence and critical reasoning. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.
What's included in your experience
- Airfare
- Airport Pick-up
- Host Family Placement
- Housing
- Meals
- School Placement
- Individual Contact Person
- Medical Insurance
- 24/7 Emergency Support
- School Transport
- Assistance with Application Process
- Visa Application Assistance
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- Orientations during your time abroad
- Re-entry Orientation
- Global Competence Certificate
- School Materials
- Access to Alumni Network
- Continuous Support
- Worldwide Presence
- 70 Years Experience
What you are responsible for
- Vaccinations
- Visa and Passport Fees
- Stipend
- School Uniform