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Application Process & General InfoIMPORTANT: The following information is related to Language Immersion Programs. If you wish to register for other programs, click here. Please read all of the following information carefully so there are no misunderstandings as to what AmeriSpan will be providing. RegisteringTo insure a space at any AmeriSpan program, it is important to register as far in advance from your desired start date as possible (especially for summer programs). Registration consists of: 1. Submitting a completed application and a $100 registration fee OR 2. Submitting a completed application, $100 registration fee and full payment. The total cost for the program is due 4 weeks prior to the start date. Applications and full payments received less than four weeks prior to the start date will be subject to an additional $35 late registration fee. All payments may be made with personal check (preferred method!), money order, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.To Register:
Need
an application form,
contact
AmeriSpan or
download it
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approx. 60 kb
Flight PackagesYou must let us know at least 8 weeks in advance to book a flight package (Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Bolivia). You must submit the package fee with your flight details in order to book your spot.Arrival & DepartureFor most programs, you should plan to arrive to your homestay on the day before classes begin and depart on the day after classes are completed. The exceptions and possible exceptions to this rule are listed below:• Flamingo Beach, Monteverde or Samara Beach - For these programs, you will need to arrive to your destination country’s international airport (San José) on Saturday. If you have selected an airport pick-up, you will be met at the airport, taken to a local hotel or homestay near the airport and transferred to your final destination on Sunday. Note: the bus fare is not included. • Possible Difficulties - On international flights, it is common that flights arrive late and/or baggage is delayed. If you are participating in a program which requires a long bus ride or a particular connecting flight, consider traveling on Saturday. This will insure that you will arrive to your final destination on Sunday despite any unforeseen problems. We recommend that you consider traveling on Saturday for these programs: Cuenca, Cusco, Merida (Venezuela), Puerto La Cruz, Tamarindo, Jaco, and Sucre. At most programs, you can extend your homestay a few days before or after classes for an additional fee. Check with an AmeriSpan language travel specialist about the price. For airport pick-ups, AmeriSpan must receive your airport arrival information at least 3 weeks prior to your start date. Satisfaction GuaranteeYour satisfaction is our main concern. If you are not satisfied, we'll pay for a week of group classes at the same program or another of your choice. To invoke the Satisfaction Guarantee, please submit a letter upon completion of your program which describes why you are dissatisfied with the language component of your program. We use this information to evaluate and improve the program for future participants.Within 3 weeks, we will issue you a coupon for one week of group language classes (does not include lodging) at the same program or any of our other programs teaching the same language. You may use this free week of classes at any time in the future. Local HolidaysClasses canceled in honor of local holidays will not be made up and are not subject to any refund. Holidays are listed with each program listings.Reduction of HoursAt some group programs, if there are no other students at your Spanish level, your hours may be reduced. The same amount of material will be covered with private instruction.Class Hours & SchedulesThroughout this website, we use the term "class hours" which should be interpreted like "university hours". If a program lists 20 hours/week, you will receive 20 sessions/week. These sessions vary from school to school and range from 45 minutes to 60 minutes.Classes are scheduled either in the morning, the afternoon or the morning and the afternoon. AmeriSpan CANNOT guarantee specific scheduling requests. Scheduling is set by each individual partner school and may be affected by the program that you select, your language level and/or the time of year that you are participating. Organized ActivitiesSome schools offer complimentary organized activities such as (dance classes, movies, lectures, small trips, etc.). If the activity is a small trip outside of the school, there might be some minor expenses involved (bus fare, entrance fees, etc.).Sister CampusesSeveral programs offer the option of spending one or more weeks at another campus in the jungle, at the beach or in another city or village. There may be extra charges associated with participating. Full details are available upon arrival at the main campus. The special campuses are mentioned throughout this catalog for informational purposes only. AmeriSpan cannot guarantee that the special campus program will be operating or have space during your trip. A few allow you to register prior to your trip and prices are listed on our price sheet.Text Books & MaterialsIn most locations, your first set (usually first 3-4 weeks) of text books has been paid for by AmeriSpan except in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Montevideo (Uruguay) and San Juan (Puerto Rico). You need to buy books at these schools or before arrival (e.g. Santo Domingo). Some schools that don’t sell books may require a modest deposit that will be refunded when the text book is returned. In some cases, participants studying for a month or longer may finish their first book and need to buy an additional book on site. Please note that schools change policies and may charge for books, if this is the case please notify AmeriSpan so we can inform future students.Multi-site ProgramsWhen combining two or more programs, you must study a minimum of 2 weeks at each location.Companions of ParticipantsIn most programs, children, spouses and friends may accompany participants and live in the same homestay (homestay prices for companions vary for each program). Travel insurance is not provided for companions but is available at an extra charge.Behavioral ExpectationsAmeriSpan’s programs are geared toward adults (18 and up). Although many programs have options for students under the age of 16, no one under the age of 16 will be accepted into the program unless accompanied by an adult. AmeriSpan cannot be responsible for providing supervision of any kind either through the schools or through the homestay families.Participants are expected to be courteous and respectful guests. Illegal drug use or abusive behavior at any age or alcoholic consumption by minors cannot be tolerated. AmeriSpan reserves the right to refuse to serve, to cancel and/or terminate participation for any person who fails to comply with the policies of the program provider (e.g. school, tour operator, program organizer), or for any other reason deemed necessary, in the sole discretion of AmeriSpan. AmeriSpan further reserves the right, without escort and without refund to send home any participant who violates the rules stated above. The return trip will be at the expense of the participant or the participant’s family. How do I rate my language level?Most programs will give you a written or an oral language placement exam when you start the program but they request that you estimate your level when applying to give them a rough idea of your level. Please got to Rating Your Language Level to help you with this.Repeat Customer DiscountOnce you have participated in any AmeriSpan language travel program, you will receive a 10% discount on any future programs regardless of your destination. Remember to clearly state that you are eligible for a specific discount on your application.** AmeriSpan discounts are based on the cost of the language program. Excursion packages, additional homestay days, additional travel insurance and registration fees are not eligible for any discounts. Executive Intensive, Special and one week programs are not eligible for any discounts. All discounts are not combinable unless stated otherwise and will not exceed $200 per person. Remember to clearly state that you are eligible for a specific discount on your application. Deposits & On-Site ChargesWhile participating in this program, you may be responsible for paying additional funds related to your own actions while on-site. Some schools will collect deposits upon your arrival while others will collect only if you incur these charges. Typical extra charges can include but are not limited to: lost keys, property damage, overstaying in your lodging, hosting overnight guests in your lodging, and lost books. |
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