What to expect in a typical week when attending a language program

PLEASE REMEMBER: Below is a general outline of what to expect while studying at one of our schools for a week, however this is not a fixed agenda and is to be used only as a basic guide. Opportunities and activities will differ depending on the school location and course options. The below timetable is also not fixed, but it will help give a general idea of what to expect.

We believe it is very important that you have fun while you learn!

If you feel relaxed and comfortable, the more successful your study abroad experience will be. By travelling abroad, you open the doors to many new ways of thinking, acting and living. This experience will lead to adjustments, personal growth and a far greater understanding of the way of life in other parts of the world. Enjoy the change and take everything with a bit of humor. Have a sense of adventure and remember why you are studying abroad in the first place. Open your mind, be patient, curious and don't expect everything to go exactly to some kind of plan. Take it all in and have the time of your life!

For more specific questions and answers please visit our Q & A page.

SUNDAY - (Travel and Arrival day)
Students plan to arrive on the Sunday before the course starts on the Monday morning, the Sunday night's accommodation is included in the program price.

Students normally arrive into their "school city" by air or train. Upon arrival in the city, the students either make their own way to the school or accommodation using local public transport, taxi or wait to be met at the airport and transported by a school representative or host family. (Many of our programs include airport pick up or they can be requested for an additional cost). For those students with no pick-up arranged, local transport information and other important details are supplied in their pre-departure information sheet, which we provide to each student in advance.

Once the student has arrived at their accommodation, they can use the remainder of the day to relax and unpack, recover from jet lag, become acquainted with their new host family or roommates and settle into their new surroundings.

MONDAY - (The first Monday of the Program)
On Monday morning, students make their own way to school, maps and directions will be provided. Most of our schools like the students to meet at around 08.45am on the first Monday.

Upon arrival at the school, the teachers will introduce themselves and ask the student to take a language test. This 'placement test' is designed to help students form appropriate groups in which each student will flourish and develop their language skills. The placement test should last approximately 30 minutes and will test their current ability in the language being studied. This test is designed to help the teachers assess the student's language ability, so they are placed in the correct class in order to make the maximum progress.

Once the test is completed and marked, the fun begins!

The school director or teacher will direct the students to their appropriate class and they are introduced to their fellow international classmates and teacher. During the first lesson the teacher will answer any questions you may have and will once again assess the skills of the students and keep an evaluation of their progress. If for any reason, by the end of the first session, both the teacher and student feel that the level assigned is not suitable, adjustments will be made.

The following schedule will provide you with a basic idea of what to expect on the first Monday. (Please remember this is just a guide, these times are flexible and will vary depending on your location).
08:45am Meet at school.

09:00am - Written test begins and lasts for approx. 15-30 minutes and is then marked.
10:00am - Introduction and perhaps a tour of the school
10:30am - Teachers introduced meet your new classmates and your first class begins.

NOON LUNCH BREAK - Time to reflect on your first morning and grab something to eat. Some students stay around the school to eat lunch, others may visit local cafes, restaurants or perhaps just go for a walk. Lunch breaks normally last about an hour.
On the subsequent days of the week, classes normally begin at 09:00 am through to 12:30pm if studying on the standard program. If on the Intensive program, classes end at 12.30pm, then resume classes from 1.30pm until approximately 3pm.

After classes are over for the first day, your new language, city or friends await. Many students make arrangements to meet up later to go out for the evening, others go to a local cafe to practice their new language skills, whilst others go off to start to explore the city.

TUESDAY (Day 2)
Meet at school, classes normally start at 09:00 am.
One student's description of a typical day at a Language Learning Abroad school:
"Had lunch with my new classmates and planned an afternoon a trip to a local museum with our teacher. We plan to meet at the school at 2 p.m. and walk to the museum; our teacher will act as our guide. Left the museum around 6pm to go home but planned to meet later in the evening with a few classmates."
"Met new classmates at a local restaurant and practiced what we learned today. Decided to go and see a movie in a theater nearby - in the local language! Back home by 11.30pm".

WEDNESDAY (Day 3)
Meet at school, classes start at 09:00 am.
Today could be a relaxing day on the beach after classes with new roommates or a perhaps a walking tour of the city. Later students have the chance to improve grammar over dinner with their host family or may go grocery shopping and cook up a local dish with new apartment roommates.

After dinner, take a stroll around the city or neighborhood, perhaps with a classmate and stop for a drink in one of the many local cafes or bars. One of the best places to meet the locals and practice the language is on the streets of the city or town.

THURSDAY (Day 4)
Meet at school, classes started at 09:00 am.
In the afternoon, why students may organize themselves to visit a local art gallery with a couple of classmates. They often try to practice conversation skills by only speaking the local language amongst themselves. It's quite entertaining!

The school plans a trip to the opera in the evening and one of the teachers is leading the group. For those students who are interested and wish to go, every one meets at the school at 7.00pm. The group either walks or catches local transport to the opera. Later in the evening after the performance, perhaps they all go out to a café for coffee and dessert. Later still for those with enough energy, they may head out to one of the local night spots in the city.

FRIDAY (day 5)
Meet at school, classes started at 09:00 am.
The end of the school week and classes are over until Monday. Students may head down to the local Internet café and catch up with e-mails. In the afternoon, go site-seeing and in the evening, happen to meet up with their roommates or classmates for a coffee and explore the interesting nightlife together.

An alternative is to pack up a few things and jump on the local transport and spend the weekend exploring another city, place of interest or even another neighboring country. The opportunities are endless.

SATURDAY (Day 6 or departure day)
Students do not attend classes at the weekend and are free to do what ever they wish!
If a student chooses to stay in town for the weekend, many will sleep in and meet for brunch with classmates or new friends, at a favorite café. Afterwards, some will hit the beach for a day of relaxing, arrange a game of soccer in the local park, see a local sporting event, visit museums or a gallery, take a trip to the local market, go site-seeing and visit some of the local attractions or just hang out with new friends. We try to give our students as much flexibility as possible when they are not in class.

For those students who have decided to go on an organized school excursion with other students, they should be ready to meet at the school or meeting place early in the morning. The day excursions normally start early and expect to arrive back in the city around 6 p.m., leaving the evening free for further opportunities.

Unfortunately for those students who have finished their program, today is departure day - students are expected to vacate their school accommodation around noon. These students may begin their trip home, start another language program or begin travelling on their own.

SUNDAY
Travel and arrival date for new students starting the program OR another free day for students continuing in the program and the beginning of a new week of classes!

Again we would like to remind you that this is only a general outline of what to expect whilst studying at one of our schools for a week.

Activities and excursions will differ depending on the school location. The activities and travel opportunities offered at a school which is located near a rainforest in central Costa Rica will be completely different to a city stay in France.

PLEASE keep these points in mind when choosing which school location best suits you! Then, once you've arrived, open up your mind and explore the endless opportunities of your temporary new "home".