Study in Slovakia
“Lepšia hrst’ priatel’stva, ako voz dukátov.” This traditional Slovak saying translates to “A handful of friendship is better than a wagonload of gold”, and as a YFU student in Slovakia, you’ll get to experience this sentiment for yourself!
+ More About Slovakia
Ahoj! Are you interested in a unique European study abroad experience? Visit Slovakia, a modern country full of hospitality, with a sense of tradition that is rooted in the country’s history.
Slovakia’s historical architecture includes many cathedrals, fortresses, and medieval town centers. The centuries-old, still-functioning wooden churches of northeastern Slovakia are some of the country’s greatest treasures. The Slovak National Museum in Bratislava contains exhibits on the country’s history, archaeology and passion for music – and you’re sure to experience each of these first hand during your stay in Slovakia! Additionally, the country cherishes its unique landscapes, which include the Carpathian Mountains that extend across most of the north.
Slovak families enjoy many outdoor activities from mushroom hunting to hiking the Tatra mountains to gardening at summer cottages. Some of their favorite summer sports are soccer and tennis while ice hockey and skiing are popular winter sports. Expect many of your new friends and family to be very involved in the outdoors and sports. Students are kept very busy in school, whether it be at a Gymnasium, Economic High School, Technical High School or Vocational school. An emphasis is placed on extracurricular activities as well, allowing students to develop their interest in sports, art and drama.
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Slovakia:
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
+ Programs & Tuition
Fall Year: $14,495
Fall Year Bilingual School: $15,995
Fall Semester: $13,995
Fall Semester Bilingual School: $14,495
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by October 1 for winter/spring departure programs and March 15 for summer and fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include personal spending money or school-related costs such as books and school trips.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Programs
During your time in Slovakia, you will live with a carefully selected host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
Slovakian high schools offer a variety of courses, and exchange students have some degree of flexibility when it comes to choosing their classes. Lots of YFU students take Slovak literature and history in order to learn about their new home! YFU Slovakia also offers a bilingual (English and Slovak) program, where students are placed in a bilingual high school and take classes in both languages.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students 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.
Your program in Slovakia will start with a three-day arrival orientation in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It will be followed by an introductory language course. Here, you will study the Slovak language under the tutelage of a professional instructor and develop the language skills required to attend and be successful in a Slovakian high school.
For year students, YFU Slovakia will hold a four- to five-day mid-year seminar in January or February, which includes a ski course (skiing is one of Slovakia’s most important sports) and trekking excursion. During this seminar, you’ll get the opportunity to experience some of Slovakia’s favorite pastimes with other YFU students from around the world!
Your program will end with a re-entry orientation, during which you will reflect on your experiences and say goodbye to the friends and family that you made while in Slovakia. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
YFU exchange students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored clubs and teams, as well as any extracurricular activities offered by their host communities. Slovakia is renowned for its after-school art programs that it offers nationwide, and some students opt to apply to one of these schools upon arrival in Slovakia.
Optional Excursions
YFU Slovakia also offers a range of cultural trips for an additional fee. During your academic program, you may participate in a trip to Krakow (Poland), travel to the Czech Republic to visit Prague, visit the Capital City of Hungary – Budapest (for a weekend trip), see Christmas Markets in Vienna (Austria) or visit local folk art and music festivals. More information about these expeditions will be provided upon arrival in Slovakia.
Bilingual Program
Students on the bilingual school program have the opportunity to attend a high school where courses are taught in both English and Slovak. Students will be enrolled in the one of the best English Bilingual high schools in Slovakia and will attend most of their traditional classes in English, but will be enrolled in at least one Slovak language and literature course. Those in the bilingual high school program should keep in mind that they may be asked to pay for private school tuition of up to €500.
| PROGRAM | CODE | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Year | 1110 | late August | late June | $14,495 |
| Fall Year Bilingual School | 1431 | late August | late June | $15,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Slovakian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Language Course
- Support from a YFU Slovakia Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive Insurance
Age Requirement
December 1, 2001 – August 1, 2004. Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Slovak. Previous language study is not required. YFU Slovakia offers an intensive 4-5 day language course immediately after the arrival seminar at no additional cost.
Host Family Placement
Students may be placed throughout the country in rural, suburban, or urban areas.
+ Semester Programs
During your time in Slovakia, you will live with a carefully selected host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
Slovakian high schools offer a variety of courses, and exchange students have some degree of flexibility when it comes to choosing their classes. Lots of YFU students take Slovak literature and history in order to learn about their new home! YFU Slovakia also offers a bilingual (English and Slovak) program, where students are placed in a bilingual high school and take classes in both languages.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students 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.
Your program in Slovakia will start with a three-day arrival orientation in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It will be followed by an introductory language course. Here, you will study the Slovak language under the tutelage of a professional instructor and develop the language skills required to attend and be successful in a Slovakian high school.
For year students, YFU Slovakia will hold a four- to five-day mid-year seminar in January or February, which includes a ski course (skiing is one of Slovakia’s most important sports) and trekking excursion. During this seminar, you’ll get the opportunity to experience some of Slovakia’s favorite pastimes with other YFU students from around the world!
Your program will end with a re-entry orientation, during which you will reflect on your experiences and say goodbye to the friends and family that you made while in Slovakia. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
YFU exchange students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored clubs and teams, as well as any extracurricular activities offered by their host communities. Slovakia is renowned for its after-school art programs that it offers nationwide, and some students opt to apply to one of these schools upon arrival in Slovakia.
Optional Excursions
YFU Slovakia also offers a range of cultural trips for an additional fee. During your academic program, you may participate in a trip to Krakow (Poland), travel to the Czech Republic to visit Prague, visit the Capital City of Hungary – Budapest (for a weekend trip), see Christmas Markets in Vienna (Austria) or visit local folk art and music festivals. More information about these expeditions will be provided upon arrival in Slovakia.
Bilingual Program
Students on the bilingual school program have the opportunity to attend a high school where courses are taught in both English and Slovak. Students will be enrolled in the one of the best English Bilingual high schools in Slovakia and will attend most of their traditional classes in English, but will be enrolled in at least one Slovak language and literature course. Those in the bilingual high school program should keep in mind that they may be asked to pay for private school tuition of up to €500.
| PROGRAM | CODE | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | 1111 | late August | early February | $13,995 |
| Fall Semester Bilingual School | 1432 | late August | early February | $14,495 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Slovakian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Language Course
- Support from a YFU Slovakia Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive Insurance
Age Requirement
December 1, 2001 – August 1, 2004. Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Slovak. Previous language study is not required. YFU Slovakia offers an intensive 4-5 day language course immediately after the arrival seminar at no additional cost.
Host Family Placement
Students may be placed throughout the country in rural, suburban, or urban areas.