Level of Participation – Director or Promoter?
Director Position OverviewSPI Directors serve as a mentors, caregivers, motivators, and model immersion students.
Program Directors and
Assistant Directors work as a team with the foreign school to carry out the entire program itinerary. Directors will conduct the program in the language of study and provide 24-hour support to students and fellow directors. Teachers interested in serving as Program Directors should be fluent in the language. The ability to work with teenagers and other teachers outside of a classroom environment is fundamental. Although directors are very active on a daily basis with students, SPI programs promote independence, giving directors ample time to enjoy the homestay city in the afternoons and while students are in class.
Program Composition
As final number of participants vary per program, each program is comprised of somewhere between 1 Program Director, between 1-2 Assistant Directors and 16-28 Students. Directors have support throughout the program from the local foreign school staff. Some programs will have SPI Resident Directors & Guides depending on the location. Because teachers are crucial in telling parents and students about the opportunity of studying abroad, we ask that directors recruit 8 students to participate. This forms the base for each program. Because SPI programs are "open enrollment" and often fill with students from other schools, teachers can still travel as directors even if they have not recruited 8 students.
Program Director PositionProgram Directors are selected by their level of experience with SPI and in the country of study. SPI Program Directors serve as the official leader and work with Assistant Directors to carry out the entire program. Directors are expected to have an innate ability to understand the ins and outs of international student travel. Program Directors are thoroughly trained in SPI procedures and operations. They are paid to be available 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies and are expected to have a certain level of maturity to handle simple and complex situations that international travel requires.
Learn More about the Program Director Position
Assistant Director Position
SPI makes traveling with your students easy! Assistant Directors work alongside Program Directors to carry out the elements of each program. This includes daily check-in with students, assisting with afternoon activities and weekend excursions, and being available for students 24 hours a day. Assistants enrich each program by sharing their knowledge of the country and language with participants. Flexibility and understanding of international student travel is required. Pre-departure orientation is made easy and provided by SPI and your Program Director throughout the school year.
Learn More about the Assistant Director PositionDirector Compensation
All Directors Receive Roundtrip Airfare, Hotel Accommodations, Room/Board with a Homestay Family, Group Ground Transportation, Entrance Fees on Group Excursions, Basic Medical & Travel Insurance, Cell Phone Rental ($50 in use)
Not Included Personal Expenses, Local Transportation (Taxi's, Local Bus), Optional Afternoon Activities, Meals on Excursions.
Program Director Stipend: Free Travel + $75 per enrolled student
Assistant Director Stipend: Free Travel
Encourage Study Abroad! Be an SPI PromoterStudents and parents need to know about international education opportunities like studying abroad for college credit! There is no better way for students to prepare for college, their future careers, and most importantly life! Study abroad provides life-long benefits and instills international perspectives that students have for the rest of their lives. To thank teachers for their support of our mission and programs, we offer annual rewards for teachers that support SPI to their students. If you are interested in promoting study abroad to your students we encourage you to use our helpful tools and resources.
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