FAQs

Answers to our Frequently Asked Questions

Application:

When is the application deadline?
We have a rolling admissions policy – enrollment on our trips is on a first-come, first-served basis. They fill up quickly; therefore, we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Why do I need a teacher recommendation?
ECI requires your foreign language teacher to complete a teacher recommendation form (provided by us) because we cannot accept students into our programs who have a history of being disruptive in class or who have behavioral issues.

Social:

Do kids usually go with friends?
Around 75% of our students go without knowing anyone else on their program. This is a great way to meet & develop friendships with other teenagers from around the U.S.

How are roommates assigned?
If you have a roommate request, we will do our very best to honor it. If you do not have a request, we match roommates based on gender, age and common hobbies/interests that you submitted on your application. You will have your roommate information prior to departure so you can be in contact before leaving the U.S.

Are there parents and students I can contact as references?
ECI has many alumni and parents of alumni who are more than happy to speak with you or your parents about our programs. Please contact us directly for their contact details: 510.845.2230 or E-mail

Host Family:

Do the Host Families speak any English?
Language School Homestay families generally do not speak English. During the Host Family Immersion Week, children in the family usually have studied English at school and have some working knowledge. However, they know that the purpose of the immersion week is to be primarily speaking only the target language and not English.

What if I’m not happy with my host family?
This does happen, and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the problem is as simple as a cultural misunderstanding, or a miscommunication, which can easily be resolved. You may find it difficult to adapt to your new surroundings, experience homesickness, or not enjoy the food. Many of the causes of initial unhappiness are connected with adjusting to your new environment. But we take all concerns very seriously, and our chaperones will work with you to find a solution. This might involve simply “giving it time,” but our leaders will closely monitor the situation and, if necessary, you will be moved to a new family.

Money:

Is payment due all at once & are credit cards accepted?
A deposit of $1500 will be due within two weeks after you sign up and pay the $135 Application Fee. At that time, you will also be sent a detailed invoice customized to your trip and your enrollment date. We accept credit cards and PayPal for the $135 application fee. All other payments must be made by check, bank transfer, or credit card.

Standard Payment Schedule – Summer Trips
1. A $135 Application Fee is payable upon initial application.
2. A $1500 deposit is due within two weeks of the initial Application Fee payment.
3. A second program payment of $1500 will be due by March 2, 2012.
4. The final program payment will be due on May 4, 2012. If you would like to request a customized payment plan, please contact us.

What is included in the cost?
Our program fees include language classes (as applicable to program), three chaperones per group of 30 students, all transportation while abroad, all accommodation, all group activities and excursions (except for a few optional excursions, which may require a nominal fee), most meals (please see specific program for meal details), and our standard medical, travel, and emergency assistance insurance. (Please note that we also offer Optional Trip Cancellation / Interruption insurance. You will receive information about this option when you initially apply, and the decision is due with your $1500 Program deposit).

Are scholarships available?
ECI is dedicated to helping high school students explore the world and learn more about other cultures and languages. We offer four scholarships of $500 each to be applied towards our 2012 summer programs. Students apply for scholarships separately (by writing an essay), and our Board of Directors selects the two awardees based on who will gain the most from the experience and also who will bring the most back to their community.

Itinerary:

Are the trips safe?
Safety is our #1 priority! We cannot do this alone, and need your cooperation. We assume a certain level of maturity from all of our students, and trust you to make responsible decisions. All of our programs are based in what we consider to be safe locations. However, like any town in the US, there is always the potential for danger, and it is your responsibility to avoid putting yourself in unsafe situations. Taking personal responsibility to help keep yourself and your trip mates safe is the theory behind our Personal Responsibility Contract. Part of ECI’s philosophy is to provide young people with an environment in which to mature and gain a level of personal independence. It is up to you to be an active participant in this process and to not abuse the trust given to you by our chaperones, who cannot be with you at all times. Should you find yourself in a difficult situation, however, the chaperones are always available to come to your aid, take a taxi with you, walk you home, take you to see a doctor, help you communicate with your host family, etc. You & your parents can call them on their cell phones 24/7.

What is there to do in the evenings?
Europe: On each trip there is usually a period of time at night, after dinner and before curfew, when students and chaperones and/or Language Partners can get together to experience how European teenagers spend their evenings. To help you get the most out of your French or Spanish experience, we offer chaperoned activities each evening. Our European Program Coordinators, in consultation with our young, local Language Partners, do their utmost to provide you with nightlife experiences that are fun, appealing to teenagers, and whenever possible, unique to France and Spain. Some example nightlife choices in Spain could include music concerts, summer festival events & shows, movie nights, flamenco shows, tapas tasting, sports activities (best at night when it's not as hot), late night chocolate & churros. In France, nightlife choices could include concerts, movie nights, cafés, summer festival events & shows, evening art classes, or sports activities.

Costa Rica: Costa Rica life is a laidback affair. In the evenings of your Costa Rica program, you may enjoy weekend excursions with your group like volcano-area explorations. Weeknights are generally spent enjoying locally-based activities, like hot springs, tours, or volleyball in the courtyard of the casitas.

What time is curfew, and is there a difference between class nights and weekends?
In France, from Sunday through Thursday curfew is 11:30 PM. This means students must be back with their host families or in their dorm by this time. Check-in is usually a half hour prior, at 11:00 PM. On weekends, there is a curfew extension to 12:30 AM, Fridays and Saturdays.

In Spain, the curfew is a little later because of the late-night culture; from Sunday through Thursday, curfew is at midnight. This means students must be back with their host families or in their dorm by this time. Check-in is at 11:30 PM. On weekends, there is a curfew extension to 2 AM, with a 1:30 AM check-in, Fridays and Saturdays.

In Costa Rica, students are always with their chaperones in the evenings and will return to the casitas after dinner in the evening as a group.

What is a typical day in Europe?
A Typical Day in Spain
8 AM – 9 AM: Breakfast with host families/dorm
9 AM – 1 PM: Attend morning classes
1 PM – 1:30 PM: Daily meeting with chaperones & other students
1:30 PM – 4 PM: Lunch with host families/dorm. Free time for relaxation
4 PM – 7 PM: Join ECI leaders for afternoon activities, social, cultural, recreational, artistic
7 PM – 9 PM: Enjoy free time with friends – explore the town & pursue personal interests
9 PM – 10 PM: Dinner with host families/dorm
10 PM – 11:30 PM: Enjoy group cultural & social activities with chaperones and/or Language Partners
11:30 PM: Groups meet up for check-in
Midnight: Back at host families/dorm in time for curfew

On weekends (Friday & Saturday) check-in is 1:30 AM, curfew 2 AM

A Typical Day in France
7:30 AM – 9 AM: Breakfast at the dorm
9 AM – 1 PM: Attend morning classes
1 PM – 1:30 PM: Daily meeting with chaperones & other students
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Free time for lunch and relaxation
2:30 PM – 6 PM: Join ECI leaders for afternoon activities, social, cultural, recreational, artistic
6 PM – 8 PM: Enjoy free time with friends – explore the town & pursue personal interests
8 PM – 9 PM: Have dinner with the group at the dorm
9 PM – 11 PM: Enjoy group cultural & social activities with chaperones and/or Language Partners
11 PM: Groups meet up for check-in
11:30 PM: Back at the dorm in time for curfew

On weekends (Friday & Saturday) check-in is 12:00 Midnight and curfew is 12:30 AM

Do students have free time?
We always strive for an optimum balance between organized activities and free time for our students. We encourage you to spend time pursuing personal interests & exploring the local community & culture with friends. During free time, you are required to be in a group of at least two, preferably three.

How are weekends spent?
Europe: During the Language School Homestay portion, Saturdays and/or Sundays are generally spent doing a full day excursion to an area outside of the program town. These excursions are mandatory. We often leave one weekend day to relax and spend time with your new friends in your program town. During the Host Family Immersion Week, you will be spending the weekend as a member of your immersion family.

Costa Rica: Weekends in Costa Rica are spent traveling with the group and on excursions.

Travel:

Can I make my own travel plans?
If you choose not to purchase a ticket on the chaperoned group flight through our partner, STA Travel, you are responsible for booking your own independent flights. If you choose this option, you are also responsible for making your own arrangements to meet up with the chaperones and group at the initial hotel, unless you choose our Meet and Greet Service, which carries an additional fee of $175 (Europe) / $125 (Costa Rica) minimum per direction. This same scenario is true at the end of the program for your return flight back to the US.

Do I need any vaccinations before I go?
There are no required shots or vaccinations to enter Costa Rica. However, we always suggest that you consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC. Their hotline for international travelers is 877.FYI.TRIP & their website is http://www.cdc.gov.

Education:

Do teens really improve their language skills?
Absolutely! Spending time in another country, living with a local family and taking language classes all contribute to a remarkable increase in language skills. ECI’s programs are designed to provide as much opportunity as possible to speak and interact in the target language. But in order to truly benefit from the experience, you also need to make a significant commitment to the process.

Are there students from other countries in the language classes?
Yes, there are usually other international students from Europe & Asia in the language classes.

How much homework is required? Are there tests?
Most programs have an average of 30 minutes per night of homework. Students enrolled in university credit will be required to do some additional work. Specific details of these requirements will be given to you prior to the time you must make your decision to enroll for the credit (usually in the spring).

University Credit
ECI’s university credit option is an invaluable asset in today’s competitive realm of higher education. It gives high school students the opportunity to earn three Spanish/French semester units through an accredited U.S. university. These credits are transferable, and are accepted by most accredited U.S. universities. The cost of university credit is not included in your program fee and varies depending on the trip you choose.

Chaperones:

How are ECI’s programs chaperoned?
Each group has three full time ECI chaperones. Usually, two are from the U.S. and one is from the country in which the program is based. At least one U.S. chaperone will travel roundtrip with the groups from the U.S. The main Trip Leader will have a cell phone with him/her at all times. You and your parents will be sent this number prior to departure. You will also be given an Emergency Card with the Trip Leader’s cell phone number on it, as well as details on how to reach the other chaperone and Local Leader on their cell phones.

How are the chaperones chosen?
Our chaperones are selected on the basis of language ability, maturity, patience, judgment, enthusiasm and their ability to earn the respect and trust of our teenage participants. Most of them are teachers who have traveled abroad extensively, and all are committed to promoting intercultural understanding between young people throughout the world. Our chaperones supervise students as closely as possible, but in no way are they able to be with you 24 hours per day. In fact, one of the goals of our programs is to help you develop independence, problem-solving skills, maturity and self-reliance.

Will the chaperones always speak to me in the target language?
Most of time they will. They have been trained to always initiate conversations in French or Spanish, with some exceptions. Our chaperones from the US who fly with you to Europe will usually be high school language teachers and therefore completely fluent in the target language. They will also be equipped with the necessary skills to encourage you to speak French or Spanish wherever possible. Our Local Leaders are always native speakers and are told that they should not speak English with you. We can of course only provide you with the opportunity to speak in the target language – it is up to you to make the most of that opportunity and to always speak French or Spanish with all your leaders, including your US chaperones.

Salamanca

What makes our Salamanca student residence so special? (Sal 1)
Our Salamanca residence (dorm) is very conveniently located a one-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor. Clean & comfortable rooms, three communal rooms with cable TV & DVD player, and two sun terraces. Excellent home made meals plus the use of a small kitchenette for preparing snacks. Also reading room and free Internet access.

Will I be alone in a host family in Salamanca? (Sal 2)
No, you will have a roommate while in Salamanca. All our families, who are carefully chosen by our partner language school, take two students, sometimes three. One of the reasons for this is so that you can walk together to and from the school and also after your evening activities. You will usually share a room, and to help us make the best roommate match possible for you we ask you a number of relevant questions on your application. If you’re traveling with a friend, you can of course specify that you want to be roommates.

How are the trips chaperoned?
Our chaperone team is made up of a Local Spanish leader and usually two US teachers. The US chaperones will fly over to Spain from the US with the group, and be with you throughout your European adventure. Both you and your parents will be given their cell phone numbers so they can be reached at any time in case of an emergency. Our chaperones are carefully chosen and many return to lead our trips year after year. They all undergo an annual training session where they learn all our ECI policies on a variety of issues, many of which are in place to ensure your safety.

How is free time organized?
There is free time built into every day of the program. Typically, there is free time and lunch between 2pm and 5pm. After your afternoon group activity there is free time before the after dinner group activity, in the hours before curfew. During every excursion there will be an opportunity for you to have free time and to explore the excursion town in small groups, within a safe environment.

Will my Spanish improve?
This is our goal and your goal! We will provide you with amazing opportunities to help you achieve this—quality Spanish classes, cultural activities & excursions where you will be participating and listening in Spanish, and a True Immersion Week where you have the chance to speak nothing but Spanish for the entire week. You can also play a part in achieving your goal by speaking Spanish as much as possible with the chaperones and your host families. With all these opportunities how can you possibly do anything but improve?

Is Salamanca a safe city?
Relatively speaking, Salamanca is considered a very safe Spanish city. Late at night, it is not unusual to see families with young children out together in the main squares. Safety is our number one priority and for this reason we base our programs only in cities that have a reputation for being safe and family oriented. As safety can never be taken for granted, we have in place a number of safety-related policies that our chaperones meticulously follow. We also provide our students with a set of rules and guidelines designed for their safety, such as being in pairs wherever possible during free time and encouraging them to make every effort to abide by the curfew and alcohol rules.

What happens during the True Immersion Week?
Your True Immersion Week is probably the most important component of the program, helping you achieve your goal of improving your level Spanish fluency. Your two weeks at Mester Language School will lay the foundation for this valuable experience. Together with your US Leaders, you will travel to the immersion town where you will be met by the local Host Family Coordinator and introduced to your carefully chosen volunteer family. For the next week you will become a part of that family and live the life of a Spanish teenager. There are no group activities – this is your unique opportunity to become immersed in Spanish family life and culture.

Nerja

What will living with a Spanish family in Nerja be like?
Nerja is a great place for a homestay program because it is so compact and safe. The families all live within easy reach of the school and the center of town. You will usually stay two students to a family and will eat all your meals with your hosts—a great opportunity to converse in Spanish and experience Spanish family life. Read more about Housing Options ››

How will I spend a typical day in Nerja?
Monday through Friday, classes are 9am—1pm. After a short daily meeting you will return to your family to eat lunch. In Spain, mealtimes are a lot later than in the US—lunch is generally at 2pm and dinner at 9pm. For this reason, our “afternoon” activities (such as an excursion to the Nerja Caves or volleyball at the beach) usually take place between 5pm & 7pm. Between 7pm & 9pm you can either relax at home or have free time in the town, and during the few hours before the weekday check-in at 11:30pm, an evening activity is planned, such as a salsa class or a Language Partner session.

How are classes organized in Nerja?
Escuela de Idiomas, a marvelous place to study Spanish, is located right in the heart of the town. Although its architecture is historic and grand, with a beautiful courtyard garden for outdoor classes, the school itself is modern with outstanding facilities. You will be taught in a small class appropriate to your level, with students from a range of countries including Germany and Holland. The emphasis in your classes will be on improving your spoken Spanish ability through conversation and games. There will also be plenty of opportunity for grammar review and consolidation with your excellent teachers. Read more about Spanish Language Classes ››

Aix-en-Provence

What is it like living in a French dorm?
We are extremely fortunate to be able to have our students stay at St. Eloi student dorm; it is a great location – very central and within an easy, short walk to all that the heart of Aix has to offer.
One great benefit of living in a student dorm is that, as well as being so conveniently located, you also get to share your Aix living experience with your new found friends on the trip. You will usually be placed two to a room, and receive all or the majority of your meals in the dining hall at the dorm. Each room has a shower. There are laundry facilities and communal areas. A dorm is of course not a hotel. Like all student dorms, the St. Eloi dorm is comfortable and clean, but basic. Students who choose a dorm program come prepared and willing to experience all the cultural differences associated with dorm living. Read more about Housing Options ››

Please note: like most European dorms and private houses, the St. Eloi dorm does not have air conditioning.

How are the French classes organized?
Classes are Monday through Friday mornings for 3 hours. You will be in a small group, appropriate for your level, and the emphasis is on spoken French, with lots of opportunity for grammar review and consolidation. The goal is to prepare you for your True Immersion Week, speaking nothing but French. Read more about French Language Classes ››

Will I be able to earn university credit?
Yes—up to three units, accredited through Truman State University, for an additional fee. Read more about University Credit

What exactly is ‘ECI True Immersion’?
We are the only organization offering this component—a fantastic way to accelerate your French language learning. After two weeks in Aix you will spend one week with a volunteer family in a small town, speaking only French. No classes, no group activities—just a total immersion in French family life. This is not available through any other organization in this form. Read more about True Immersion Week ››