Parent General Information


"Going abroad should be a requirement.  It is a priceless experience."
             -Janice, Mexico Parent

ARTICLE ON WHY STUDENTS SHOULD STUDY ABROAD

Preparing for Life in a Global Community

Studying abroad will be a defining period in your child's educational experience - a journey that will transform them into being a global thinker with international perspectives that put them a step ahead of their peers.  SPI programs are designed to truly immerse students into the language and culture by placing them in safe and easy to manage cities with caring homestay families.  Students gain self confidence, independence, and maturity as well as increase their fluency in a foreign language - skills that enrich their lives forever.

The Intangible Benefits
The cultural exchange of living with a homestay family, the experience of having a roommate, and studying in a different country help students build lifelong skills they take with them for the rest of their lives. Students return with an increased knowledge of global issues and with first hand cross cultural experiences that truly shape them into global citizens. 

The Tangible Benefits
Study abroad opens doors for future career opportunities.  Your child will be steps ahead of their peers in our fast and often very competitive international business world.  Most colleges and employers now look for experience abroad as a requirement when considering applicants.  Earning potential college credit, gaining fluency in a foreign language, and having study abroad experience on their resume gives them the competitive edge in college entrance and their future careers.

Safety & Guidance
SPI directors are educators and serve as caregivers and leaders for the entire length of the program. Directors actively participate on a daily basis with each student in all aspects of the program. SPI directors enjoy their jobs, not their free vacations, and understand their role is crucial to the success of each student. Most importantly, they are professional educators and are committed to ensuring the safety and education of each student while abroad. Small group sizes guarantee personalized attention every step of the way and directors carry cell phones with them 24 hours a day to ensure student safety. To ensure complete immersion, directors commit to exclusively using the language of study during throughout the program.

What are SPI programs like?
SPI programs are designed for both students with little travel experience and the seasoned young world traveler alike. Our program model combines serious experiential learning coupled with hands-on fun.  Our on-site directors guide students every step of the way from pre-departure to arrival back home.  For information on what is included in programs, information on academic credits, and more information on SPI program structure please visit our Programs Page.

What is a Typical Day Like?
8:30 Breakfast with homestay family. Walk or take the bus to school with fellow students.
9:30-1:30 Intensive language & cultural classes. Mid-morning break to talk with on-site directors.
2:00-5:00 Lunch with homestay family and break time.
5:30-8:00 Exciting & educational afternoon activities or excursions that immerse students into the language and culture.
8:30-11:00 Dinner at home followed by time with your homestay family.

Parent Alumni References
We encourage you to contact families who have traveled with SPI in the past!  Please download the Alumni Contact Sheet above for contact information of previous participants and their parents.

How much money should I bring? How do we get a debit card? Can we rent a cell phone?
Click Here for Answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

The Study Abroad Investment

A summer job you can't afford to refuse...

How Should Young Adults Spend Their Travel Dollars?
Student travel dollars should be spent wisely. Think of your child's summer vacation as time to make an investment in their future. Developing fluency in a foreign language, gaining international college level experience, and potentially earning college credits provides an investment that pays you back forever!

Consider the cost of 4 years of college...
Average Annual Univ. Tuition Expenses
$5,314 Tuition
$748 Books & Supplies
$744 Transportation
$7,088 Room & Board
$2,024 Living Expenses
$15,918  TOTAL COST 1 year of college

By earning passing scores on your AP/IB exams and studying abroad, you could potentially earn...
8 Hours - AP Language Exam
8 Hours - AP Literature Exam
2-4 Hours - Credit from foreign transcript
*18-20 Hours of College Credit before you ever take your first class!

*College credit granting policies are unique for each university. Because of this, credit cannot be guaranteed by SPI.

You have 3 jobs...
1.  Take all the foreign language you can in high school.  Participate Actively.
2.  Give SPI 3-4 weeks of your summer.  STUDY ABROAD.
3.  Continue studying your foreign language and take the AP/IB exams.

The study abroad investment more than pays for itself...it pays you back for the rest of your life!


Parent Testimonials


What parents say about the SPI Experience…

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Sending her to Italy last summer was the best thing we could have done to help prepare for her for her first year in college! She called home only a few times because she was so busy indulging in all the exceptional excursions and courses SPI offered. She saw the world in a way we could never show her here in the states.”
    Deb, Dallas, TX

"Thanks for all that your on-site directors are doing for our boys! I also want to compliment your wonderful office staff. Always available, always friendly, and very good at returning emails! They follow through with call backs and have been a pleasure to deal with."
    Margaret, Del Mar, CA

"What a wonderful time our son had on his trip to Spain! He just got a 99 his first 6 weeks in AP Spanish 4! We hear him laughing watching TV upstairs and go in to find him watching Spanish Soap Operas! I can't rave enough about how well organized your company is. We were prepared for everything...and when we had a question, you always had the answer. My husband and I both feel like this was the best experience that he has ever had and your company is responsible for how smoothly it all went!"
    Cece, Houston, TX

"I am writing to tell you that our daughter Celeste who participated in one of your Spain programs in 2004 was accepted not only into the college of her choice but also was granted a FULL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP.  We truly believe that her study abroad experience in high school not only helped her achieve this, but also gave her the maturity to enter college confidently and with credit!  The investment paid us back beyond our expectations, thank you SPI."
    James, Chicago, IL

"The SPI program went above and beyond our expectations on all levels. IT WAS PERFECT! The orientation information and preparation was phenomenal.  I felt very comfortable with everything and SPI was always available, always good at returning calls, and very professional."
    Betty, Austin, TX

"We are so pleased that our daughter participated in your France program. When she returned and we asked her what she liked, she said EVERYTHING, when we asked what she didn't like, she said, NOTHING!  She loved meeting people from all over the world and had only positive things to say about her teachers, directors and all the amazing excursions you took them on.  We will certainly be recommending SPI programs to all our friends and family."
    Amy, Edmond, OK

"My son was able to enter college nearly a sophomore because of his experiences abroad with SPI. Your programs truly helped prepare him for college in every way; self-reliance, maturity, decision making skills, and most of all the ability to speak another language! Thank you for this life changing experience."
    Rob, Houston, TX

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do. SPI is the best! I heard the museum was great and what is so funny is that “museums” were not going to be on his favorite things to do list before he left. He sounded so grown up and it's only been a week since he left."
    Franci, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

"She really had a blast...learning from the culture, the wonderful family, and especially the language.  Thank you so much for helping expand her horizons!  She will definitely be studying abroad in college as well.  I will continue to spread the word about how memorable and safe her experience was with SPI."
    Elda, Austin, TX

"I watched my daughter leave for France as a young girl and return a mature and confident young woman. Since she stayed for both program sessions, she felt more comfortable and made more local French friends. Next summer we have a French girl coming to stay with us!"
    Mark, Austin, TX

"We feel it is important to see the world - we are a traveling family! It broadens their horizons and makes them realize how big and wonderful the world is. Plus getting a real chance to use her language was important for Claire to realize how important knowing a second language is."
    Beth, Jacksonville, FL 


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