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Study Abroad in Namibia

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Choose Your Program

Trimester Programs

During your time in Namibia, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

2027 Summer Trimester
$12,995Age Eligibility Born Nov 30, 2009 – May 31, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Late May
  • ✈️Return: Mid August
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Namibia on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Nov 15, 2026
Apply
2027 Spring Trimester
$12,995Age Eligibility Born Jul 31, 2009- Jan 31, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Late January
  • ✈️Return: Mid April
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓ Orientations
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Namibia on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: July 15, 2026
Apply
2027 Fall Trimester
$12,995Age Eligibility Born Feb 28, 2010- Aug 31, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Early September
  • ✈️Return: Mid November
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓ Orientations
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Namibia on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Feb 15, 2027
Apply

Trimester Program Details

School

Students will be placed in public/government schools or private schools depending on the school closest to the host family. Should a student request placement in a private school, the student will be expected to cover the additional fees resulting from this school placement request.

Extramural activities are a normal part of the school day and students are expected to participate in such activities, as well as in test, exams, and other regular school activities. Some schools charge additional fees for extramural activities and sports, which must be covered by the student.

In some schools, Afrikaans is the primary language of instruction. Students should be open to being placed in an Afrikaans-speaking school. Some schools use both English and Afrikaans as their official languages of instruction, while some teach exclusively in English.

Orientations

All students applying for the trimester program must be available for a mandatory  National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in the Namibia, students will attend an arrival orientation. During this orientation students will meet other exchange students learn about the local culture and customs!

Extracurriculars

YFU students are definitely encouraged to get involved in sports, clubs, or teams offered by their host communities in order to pursue their passions and make new friends outside of school.

Language

English (official); Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, and other indigenous languages also widely spoken. Because English is Namibia’s official language and the primary language of instruction in schools, there is no additional language requirement for this program. Students are encouraged to arrive with an open curiosity about Namibia’s rich linguistic diversity — learning a few words in Afrikaans or Oshiwambo is a wonderful way to connect with your host family and community.

Study Abroad Participants
What to Expect

Dumela! Welcome to the breathtaking country of Namibia: home to the world’s oldest desert, dramatic red sand dunes, vast wildlife reserves, and a warm, welcoming people whose culture spans hundreds of years of tradition.

Namibia is recognized across Africa for its commitment to conservation and environmental education, making it a remarkable setting for learning outside the classroom. The University of Namibia offers a strong academic environment where international students thrive. While studying in Namibia, you and your new Namibian friends will most likely take classes in environmental science, geography, African history, political science, and indigenous languages.

While you are abroad, the wonders of southern Africa will surround you daily. You may go on a guided game drive in Etosha National Park, witness the iconic towering dunes of Sossusvlei, or learn traditional crafts from local artisans with your host family. The Namibian night sky — largely free of light pollution — offers some of the most spectacular stargazing on earth. Your host family may introduce you to beloved dishes like braai (barbecued meats), biltong (dried seasoned meat), and oshifima, a hearty maize porridge. On special occasions, you will likely enjoy kapana, a popular street food of grilled beef served with spicy sauce.

After an unforgettable adventure in Namibia, you will return home with a profound connection to nature, a broader global perspective, and stories that will last a lifetime!

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, need-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 Namibia:

YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund

Visa Information
Information concerning visas will be provided upon enrollment.

Additional Costs
As part of the visa process, students are required to register for a residence permit in Namibia. Program tuition does not include the residence permit fee, personal spending money, or school-related costs such as books, transportation, and school trips.

As an exchange student in Namibia, you’ll most certainly be moved by the breathtaking landscapes and the deep sense of community that Namibians carry with them in daily life. Don’t miss the pride behind these moments: while Namibia is a young nation, it’s a country of which its people are extraordinarily proud.

Have questions or want to learn more about YFU Study Abroad Programs?

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It was hard to be uprooted in a foreign place, and be sent to another family in another country with a completely foreign language, but it turned out to be the most fantastic experience I could have had. It also taught me to be confident and to find poise and strengths within myself. I gained a world perspective and maturity that helped me do well in college afterward. It was a life-changing, wonderful year.

– Theresa