Honduras
You’ll be fascinated by the culture in a country that is world-famous for its archeological sites, like the 3,000-year-old Mayan ruins and mysterious rediscovered city of Copán. The beautiful beaches of Honduras are washed by the Caribbean in the north and the Pacific in the south, with stunning mountains in between. You’ll find the people of Honduras fascinating as well. The country’s population is 90 percent mestizo, and each region has its own unique culinary dishes (from seafood in the south to queso con chile in the west). Just about every village has its own soccer team, as Hondurans are passionate about the sport. Most students are placed in urban or suburban areas, but no matter where in the country you live, you will experience the warm hospitality of the Honduran people. No matter who you visit, you will always be invited to stay and share a meal. You will learn about Honduran food like fried plátanos (a variety of banana cooked and eaten like potatoes), frijoles (beans), and how they combine Caribbean and Latin American cuisines. Sharing mealtimes with your family is an important part of daily life, and you’ll learn how Honduran families like to share their day’s events over meals.
AFS & Your Experience
AFS Honduras has been in existence since 1963. AFS volunteers across the country work hard year-round to provide you with a high quality intercultural experience. During the year, AFS Honduras hosts approximately 50 AFS students and 20 participants on Community Service programs from more than 12 countries.
AFS will be at your side throughout your intercultural exchange. Even before leaving your home country, you will participate in organized AFS orientations and have the assistance of experienced AFS volunteers. Once in your host country, you can rely on your local volunteer contact and other chapter volunteers to support you in your experience. Together we will ensure that you have the support you need during your sojourn abroad.
Life Style and Family Living
No matter where you may live, you will experience the cheerful and warm hospitality that unites the Honduran people. Mestizos, Europeans, native Hondurans and Garifunas (black population), no matter who you visit you will be always invited to stay and share a meal.
Students are mostly placed in urban (30%) or suburban (30%) areas, with 40% in small rural areas. About 45% of the students are placed in the northern plain of the country, and one quarter of these are placed in communities near the beach and the Garifuna villages. About 53% go to the central part of the country, which is mostly mountainous, and just a few are placed in the west.
Honduras is quite conservative compared with most western countries. For one thing, Latin parents tend to be very protective. Teenagers are expected to respect their parents and all elders, and live by the family’s advice and rules. In general, you will be expected to show care and appreciation to all sorts of people.
In many families the father goes out to work while the mother stays at home and runs the household. Although it is common for host families to have a maid, a daughter is normally expected to help her mother with running the home, while a son runs errands and does odd jobs. When children date, parents tend to be stricter with their daughters.
If you want more information please contact the AFS office in your country, please go to www.afs.org
For information about Honduras please go to:
Letsgohonduras
Visitehonduras
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Honduras Tips
