SPI Programs

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STA Travel

SPI has partnered with STA Travel to coordinate our program flights.  Peak airfares range between $600-900 for Latin America and $1,300-2,000 for Europe.  You may also use airline miles to book your flight.

Any questions or assistance with flights should be directed to STA Travel – 800-216-4190.

Airport Reception

All students traveling on our regular SPI summer programs will be met at the international arrival airport by on-site directors. SPI normally has staff at major hub airports (ie. Newark) to assist with connecting flights for our regular summer programs.

Teacher Travelers

All custom programs will have a teacher from the sponsoring school travel on the designated flights unless otherwise noted.  For our regular programs, a teacher chaperone will travel on the designated international flight.  We cannot guarantee that a particular teacher will travel on the exact same connecting flights (ie. Dallas to Newark.)

TEACHER TRAVELER’S FLIGHT:  For regular summer programs, we do not confirm teacher traveler exact flight itineraries until March 15.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Designated Program Flights

STA Travel designates international flights for each program that an SPI teacher or chaperone will travel on.  After you have been accepted into the program, you have the flexibility of booking through STA or directly with the airline.  Designated flights are normally listed from the international flight gateway city only.  You will book your flight from your nearest originating airport (ie. Austin) and connect with other students and teachers for the international flight.

CUSTOM PROGRAMS:  STA may reserve a block of group space which must have a minimum of 10 passengers confirmed by a certain date.  If this is not met, the price will go to the current published fare or STA will designate an alternative option.

REGULAR PROGRAMS:  Students are expected to be capable of traveling independently to/from the international arrival city (i.e. Madrid.)

Click Here for STA Travel Designated Flights

Independent Travel Arrangements

Students who book flights outside our booking guidelines (listed on the STA Travel portal page above) will be charged a $350 Independent Traveler convenience fee. Additional escorting fees will be charged if a student arrives outside the designated flight’s arrival time OR if they arrive to a different terminal than the program’s designated flight. Independent travelers will be provided detailed arrival instructions and on-site contact information prior to departure.

Why the fee?  The fee is designed to discourage students from not traveling on the designated flights. It also covers SPI’s time in additional planning needed to make special transfers for the student to connect with the group.

Independent Traveler Fees & Release Form

Students who will be arriving or departing outside the normal program’s itinerary are required to complete the release form below to indicate when and where you will officially meet or depart the program.  This applies to students who will be arriving by other means than air travel with the group or meeting parents at the end of the program.

Student Release Form

Families Wishing to Meet Their Child Abroad

Due to disruption from the immersion experience, SPI does not encourage parents to visit their child during the program. If you would like to meet your child AFTER the program has ended, please plan to meet them at the airport 2 hours prior to the departure of the designated return flight. Please complete the release form above and return it to SPI if you plan to pick-up your child abroad.