Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since each program differs in duration, content and age criteria, please contact the AFS for detailed descriptions of each program.
Common components of all AFS secondary school programs are:
AFS students live with host families selected by AFS. The family homestay provides the opportunity to learn first-hand about the culture as well as to enhance language ability.
The participation fee includes international travel, medical insurance, orientation, and materials for language instruction. Visa fees are the responsibility of the participant. Special travel arrangements, if requested, are at the participant's expense.
Orientations are provided for students before departure to and upon arrival in the host country.
Applications must be submitted with a non-refundable HK$200 application fee, and a photocopy of the last year's school report (1 year). AFS will contact you to arrange participation in an interview and orientation.
Population: 14 million
Capital: Amsterdam
Language: Dutch
Religion: Catholic, Protestant
Currency: Gulden
The Netherlands is often popularly known as Holland. Originally this name applied to the modern western provinces of North and South Holland. The Netherlands reached the height of its power and prosperity in the Golden Age of the 17 century, when the Dutch created a worldwide trading empire. By defeating the Spanish at sea they became the leading seafaring nation with trading bases in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, southern Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and New York. Interest in the unknown parts of the word was great and the enormous profits from trade made it possible for the arts and sciences to flourish.
The Netherlands is a small and densely populated country, with nearly half the land situated below sea level, requiring dykes and pumps to keep it dry. It is most commonly known for tulips, windmills and wooden clogs.
The warm Gulf Stream originating in the Caribbean guarantees a temperate maritime climate with averages of 1.7ºC in January and 17ºC in July.
AFS in Netherlands
AFS in the Netherlands is known as AFS Interculturele Programma’s. It works in association with about 700 members and a National Board responsible for its policies. It has 9 regional chapters.
AFS organises activities including a one day orientation upon arrival, language training after arrival, a weekend for evaluation, a cultural weekend and preparation for the return trip home. Students also have the opportunity to participate in parties organised for volunteers, host families and students. During their sojourn, students also have the opportunity of exchanging with another host family in another part of the country for a week.
Host Schools
The education system in The Netherlands offers various levels of high school- placement of an AFS student is the responsibility of the host family. Often schools range across a variety of levels which enables students to change if necessary from one level to another. The relationship between teachers and students is less formal than Australia, and students are encouraged to discuss and question. Dutch students are taught to be critical and not always accept things they are told.
With few extra-curricular activities offered by schools, most young people practise sports and other activities through municipal clubs or at other venues. Soccer is the most popular sport, but available activities include hockey, basketball, volleyball, cycling, swimming and speed skating.
Host Families
Dutch parents are the heads of the family, they make the rules and are respected. Dutch children, however, will disagree and discuss things with their parents, which rather than being seen as rude or insolent by parents is encouraged as a means of developing and forming opinions. Children are brought up to be independent and to accept responsibility for their actions. All family members share the chores.
Regardless of what kind of house they live in the Dutch consider their home to be their castle. It is clean, comfortable and cosy. Dutch people enjoy quiet evenings at home with the family, watching TV, reading a book or playing games together.
AFS Netherlands's Web Site : http://www.afs.nl
View letters from students to Netherlands.
Argentina / Australia / Austria / Belgium / Brazil / Canada / Czech Republic / Chile / Denmark / Finland / France / Germany / Hungary / Italy / Latvia / Japan / Mexico / New Zealand / Norway / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Thailand / The Netherlands / the United States.
