February 05, 2010
American Field Service (AFS) is best known for its year-long high school exchange programs, but it also offers shorter programs. Anyone age 15-30 can now apply for a month-long intensive Latvian language and culture summer program offered by AFS.
The 2010 program is set to take place June 12-July 12 in the western coastal city of Liepāja. A total of 15-20 participants will live with Latvian-speaking host families, thereby immersing themselves in the local culture, while also formally learning the language, history and culture of Latvia. All participants will also have the opportunity to take part in dancing, singing and Latvian cooking activities. Field trips will visit old towns and craft workshops, attend the National Youth Song and Dance Festival, and of course, join in a traditional summer solstice (Jāņi) celebration.
The program is an ideal way for young adults of Latvian heritage living abroad to experience and learn about their roots. No knowledge of Latvian language is necessary to participate in AFS programs.
The deadline for applications is April 1. For more information visit www.afs.lv and contact your local AFS office (www.afs.org). If there is no AFS office in your country, contact AFS Latvia at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Further information also is available in a flyer available in Acrobat PDF format in English or Latvian.
Amanda Jātniece is a Latvian-American currently living in Latvia. She has been a member of the Latvian folk music ensembles Lini un Teiksma, both based in Minneapolis, Minn., and now sings with the Savieši folk ensemble in Riga. She has a strong interest in music and folklore, a degree in linguistics, and does freelance translation and writing along with raising her school-age children.
