THE SUITABLE AGE FOR PARTICIPATION
Only parents know when the time is right for their youngster. Our long experience has shown that the younger he or she is, the more easily adaptable they are to learning a new language. The programs we offer are designed for youngsters aged 4-17 and are divided into two main categories:
1. Group departures where the youngsters are accompanied by an adult leader/escort. They leave together from Greece, stay together at residences on the university/college campus and return together. While there, the tour leader/escort monitors their progress, looks out for their welfare and makes sure that they have a fun and an educational stay. Group study tours are preferable for younger learners.
2. Individual departures to selected universities/colleges abroad where in a safe and secure environment and with no or few distractions from youngsters of their own nationality, young learners will show increased progress in learning the language. They can also sign up for specialized programs that combine language lessons with a sport , art or dance class, or take part in educational activities such as Debate & Critical Thinking, Oxbridge, Medics, Engineering, Business, Law, Finance, Computer, Science, Drama, Film Academy, Fashion. This type of study tour is good for teenagers aged 14 and over. From our part, we take steps to provide your youngster with opportunities to expand his/her horizons by learning new things, making new friends and gaining memories that will last a lifetime. All we ask for is an easy going nature and positive attitude.
TIPS AND GUIDELINES
For many youngsters this may be their first time away from home. We would like to make some suggestion to make their transition easier.
Bolster your youngsters’ self-reliance at every opportunity. Arrange for him/her to stay a night or two at a friend's house where he/she will have to be self reliant.
Plan the trip together. The more a child takes part in the process, the more comfortable it will feel when it’s time to go.
Encourage your youngster to express thoughts and to feel free to ask questions from the trip’s escort.
Chat about how the trip will be.
Go over expected situations such as packing and unpacking his/her suitcase, to self-service from a buffet and choosing what’s best to eat, etc.
Arrange a time and under what circumstances he/she should phone you.
Should your youngster at some stage get homesick and call you to come back home, be comforting and reassuring and try to convince him/her to stay on for a few days more. Focus on the positive aspects of the experience in order to be persuasive in sticking it out a while longer, but without you feeling guilty about being too forceful
THE FIRST TRIP AWAY FROM HOME
Years of experience with youngsters travelling on their own have shown that the way to an unproblematic change from home to an away stay, is by occupying them with things to do from morning till night. Their stay must be constantly active, recreational and fun. That’s why we design our programs to contain a range of sports activities, evening entertainment and excursions.
LESSONS
It doesn’t matter the level at which a youngster knows a foreign language. There are courses for all, from beginners to the very advanced. On arrival at the university/college, they take a test to make sure that they attend the class where they will benefit the most. Lessons are 45-55 minutes long, compulsory and daily. At the end of the course, the university/college will issue your youngster an Attendance and Progress Diploma.
DIET
All campus residences offer full board with a wide variety of food. Menus cater to all youngsters’ tastes and provide for their nutritional requirements. In the main, they offer international cuisine and also vegetarian options. Parents should indicate dietary habits and food specification on the application form.
TUTORS
University/college language tutors are certified to teach youngsters coming from abroad.
RESIDENCE
Young learners stay in campus residences depending on the conditions and facilities of each university/college. Some offer single rooms, others double, triple or multi-bed rooms. In the case of the latter, youngsters are allocated rooms according to gender and age. Escorts reside in the same accommodation so that there’s constant supervision. In any case, universities/colleges have their own round-the-clock safety and security personnel.
ENTERTAINMENT-RECREATION
A highlight of the trip is the afternoon and evening events. Universities/colleges organize daily outdoor sports and recreational activities such as team games, contests, dance, barbecues, film shows etc. And, of course, every educational program concludes with at least one full-day excursion a week to a place of cultural and historical interest.
Medical care
Most campuses have an in-house surgery (doctor’s office) with qualified staff on 24 hour duty. Whatever medicines youngsters might bring along* are locked away securely. All medicines, except for those listed below, and instructions for their use must be written on the application form. Escorts will oversee their proper administration. In case of an emergency, transfer to hospital will be immediate.
* European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
A free card offering access to medically necessary and urgent cases during the insured person's temporary residence in one of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, on the same terms and at the same cost (in some countries, free of charge) with the insured of that country.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC):
-does not replace travel insurance
-does not cover private health care, nor expenses such as a return ticket to the country of origin or the loss / theft of assets
-does not cover the costs, if the insured travels specifically to receive medical care
-does not guarantee free services, as each country's healthcare systems differ services provided free of charge in the country of origin may not be provided free of charge in another.
Prerequisite for the granting of EKAA is the existence of active insurance capacity.
Should a youngster for any reason be admitted to hospital or require a doctor, parents will be immediately informed. Please let us know if your youngster has a health issue or allergy by pointing it out on the application form or by calling us. The personal information you provide us with is strictly confidential. We are able to handle any health issue as long as we are aware of it.
* Please pack the following essentials into your youngster’s bag:
Throat irritation capsules or sweets
A box of general and widely used painkillers (Depon/Panadol/Aspirin etc)
antihistamine ointment for insect bites
COMMUNICATION
Parents can communicate with their youngsters by mobile but we recommend it in moderation because roaming charges are costly. The majority of University/college campuses also offer free WiFi connection.
Dialling code for GREECE is: 0030 + telephone number.
Dialling code for Britain is: 0044 + telephone number.
Please make sure you are fully aware about where your youngster is going prior to his/her departure.
TIME DIFFERENCES WITH GREECE
GREAT BRITAIN -2 hours
AUSTRIA -1 hour
FRANCE -1 hour
GERMANY -1 hour
SPAIN -1 hour
ITALY -1 hour
WHAT TO PACK
Casual is the bottom line on our trips. Shorts, jeans and T-shirts are ideal. What gets packed depends on the duration of the holiday. The following list is indicative for a week’s stay.
- a suitcase or bag, the lighter the better and preferably with wheels
- T-shirts
- Jeans or trousers
- Sweatshirts
- Tracksuit
- a pair of pyjamas
- windbreaker or waterproof jacket
- sneakers
- socks
- underwear
- slippers
- one change of formal clothes
- face towel
- body towel
- soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and comb/brush
- a bag for dirty clothes
- 1 notebook or small writing pad, pen and pocket dictionary
* campus residences provide bedding and some also provide towels.
NOTE
We strongly recommend that youngsters don’t bring valuable items.
Allowed luggage weight is 23 kg for the hold and 8 kg for the cabin.
SAFETY & SECURITY:
- OUR ROLE
The aim of Study Tours is to be educational and fun. However, a vital aspect of our work is safe and secure round-the-clock supervision. Parents are requested to carefully observe our recommendations. From our part, we select foreign universities/colleges which provide high-grade services. We collaborate with major IATA airlines. Our office diligently takes all the necessary steps to ensure maximum possible compliance with safety and security regulations. Study Tours staff are in England all through the summer and are carefully appointed representatives. They are experienced, competent and capable of troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
- NIGHT SAFETY & SECURITY
One of the escort’s duties is to ensure bedtime compliance. Their lodgings are adjacent to the youngsters’ so that they can be on hand at any moment. Main doors are locked, although in an emergency can be opened from the inside. Exiting the residences after bedtime, usually after 23.00, is strictly prohibited and offenders will be disciplined.
- CASH, PASSPORT / ID CARD
Universities/colleges have facilities for the safekeeping of money, passports/ ID cards and other documents. The group escort is responsible for and in charge of these.
- SURVEILLANCE
Youngsters are not allowed to leave the campus grounds unless accompanied by an escort.
- BEHAVIOUR
High on our list of priorities is the establishment of a friendly environment based on mutual respect. We believe that all youngsters have equal rights to education and recreation. For this reason we and our escorts keep a vigilant eye out for signs of antisocial behaviour. Should your youngster, during its stay, confide or admit anything to you, please let us know in case it slipped our attention. We have rules of conduct which we expect and make certain that everyone respects and adheres to. Should a disagreeable situation persist, we reserve the right to cut short the course and send the wrongdoer home. T his will be at the parents’ expense as will be compensation for any material damage.
LAUNDRY
Campuses undertake weekly cleaning of rooms and changing of bed linen and towels. Many provide self laundry and ironing facilities at a small fee.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR MINORS AND CURRENCY
In order to travel to an EU country you must hold a valid passport or an ID card with LATIN CHARACTERS. Youngsters under 12 may travel ONLY by passport.
Minors from other countries holding foreign passports should inform our company and contact the consular authorities of their country, as well as the countries they will visit, in order to check if they need an entry visa or any other documents for the countries they will cross or travel to, as well as for their re-entry into Greece or the country from where they started. Failure to ensure the timely issuance or approval of your travel documents does not justify the cancellation of your participation in the trip without charge of cancellation fees. Each traveler is responsible for the validity and validity, security and safekeeping of his travel documents required for his trip. The traveler is responsible for storing the tickets and in general all travel documents throughout the trip.
When a minor of Greek nationality travels with NO parents also needs to have:
• A written declaration of consent signed by both parents if they are travelling with an adult other than their parents or legal guardian. This must give details of the minor's itinerary and the signatures must be validated by the competent Greek authorities.
Minors from other EU countries also need to carry a similar declaration with the parents' signatures validated by the competent authorities of their country of residence/origin or the Greek Consular authorities or the Hellenic Police.
The capital controls imposed in Greece have restricted the amounts of currency one can take out of the country so please make sure you are informed accordingly prior to departure. Foreign currency can be bought at any bank or exchange bureaus, in town or at international airports.
Personal expenses and POCKET money
StudyTours prices are fully inclusive. However, there are personal expenses for shopping, snacks, additional visits to museums and other extras depending on one’s preferences and budget. As a guideline, €100-150 or equivalent per week should generally cover these.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDYTOURS PROGRAMME
Our website contains information on a range of educational programs abroad. However, should you be interested in something different or alternative, please contact us to work together with you in customizing a program to suit your needs.
Once you‘ve decided on the program that interests you and we have checked that there is availability on that date, please complete the application / registration form on our site and submit it to us with a copy of your youngster’s passport or ID card.
By submitting the application / registration form you agree to our company’s terms and conditions. Registration is finalized on the deposit of approx. 30% of the total cost of the study tour package.
FORM OF PAYMENT
StudyTours programs listed on our site are payable in cash only.
The registration advance fee is payable in cash or by VISA card
The remaining amount must be paid in full 45 days (unless required earlier by the educational organization) before the start of the program, in cash, by transfer to our bank account or by VISA card in up to 3 instalments.
TRIP – DEPARTURE
You must be at the airport two hours before your scheduled time of departure and exactly at the time indicated on your information sheet. For security reasons, each passenger must check in their luggage personally.
LUGGAGE
The allowed free weight for the hold is one (1) bag weighing maximum 23 kg. Each airline applies its own excess weight charges. Do not pack money, passports, documents and valuable items (e.g. laptops) in your hold luggage. Hand luggage is restricted to one item of a of maximum 8 pounds and in specific dimensions for the aircraft cabin. It is prohibited to have the following items in hand luggage: scissors, nail clippers, nail files, sharp objects, flammable materials and liquids of more than 50mg (water, drinks, gels, creams, ointments, pastes, lotion, contact lens solution, etc. Liquids exceeding this volume must be packed into the hold luggage.
DO NOT FORGET ...
To travel, youngsters over 12 require a passport or new type of Identity Card. Youngsters under 12 years require a passport.
Foreign currency where appropriate (e.g. in non-EU countries and Great Britain)
Youngsters who wear spectacles should carry a spare pair.
To recharge electrical devices such as mobile phones, hair dryers, MP3 players, laptops etc in Great Britain, an adapter is necessary because sockets in England will not accept Greek plugs. These can be purchased beforehand at electrical shops or on arrival at the airport in England.
Please give us a 24hour telephone phone number to contact you on.
Our focus is to make our study tours hassle free and fun, so that your youngster can have a truly memorable time!