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Info / Study holidays

STUDY HOLIDAYS ABROAD

Study holidays are the fashion! This kind of opportunity is especially favourable for students wishing to eliminate most of their language gaps while living and studying abroad. At the same time they have the chance to increase their vocabulary and feel more at ease when speaking in a foreign language.

However miracles are not to be expected!

Study holidays are proposed both to young people and adults and problems related to this kind of holidays have a special place among the complaints the Centres for consumers receive every day. Before choosing a study holiday is therefore necessary to take a look at the list below, which contains some rules to be taken into account.

Generally standard and intensive courses are offered. The number of participants is 15; in case of intensive courses it should never exceed 10. Courses usually last 15/20/25 hours (45 or 60 minutes each) per week (intensive courses last 30 hours per week).

The journey to the place of the study holiday should never be made without an escort, in particular for boys and girls under 15. 24 hours-a-day assistance in the place is also necessary; a local family usually accommodates students.. To this regard, if you expect too much, you may face unpleasant situations. It is indispensable to adjust to the life style of the family and the way of thinking of the place.

Those who wish to have a “discount” of holiday costs through public subsidy should get informed in advance.

What has to be taken into account to be (almost) sure to avoid tricks? Some pieces of advice:

Do not sign a contract hastily! Ask for a copy to read at home, if the answer is no, this is already an important indication;
ask for the exact address of the place where the lessons are given;
get information on how many students will make a class, and what their nationality is;
How many hours does the course last, and how long does the didactic unit last?
What are the selection criteria before the course?
Are there extra costs for school material or something else?
Is a programme for spare time envisaged? Is it included in the overall cost?
Does the cost include full board?
What kind of training do teachers have? Are they mother tongue?
How much should I bring with me abroad?
How many students does each family accommodate?
Is it necessary to pay an extra cost to be the only Italian mother tongue to live with the local family?
Where will the accommodation be? How far is it (in terms of time, too) from the place where lessons are given?
Pay attention to the clauses! Always ask for a written copy of the conditions that you consider important.
Before choosing, always compare different offers!

If something goes wrong, as with any other journey, remember to ask for help to the local person in charge of organizing the stay. He/she ought to help you solving the problems, as an alternative, you have 10 days from your homecoming to complain (in written form and by registered letter with advice of receipt!)

status 05-1999


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