Immersion, Enrichment and Growth
Our mission is to develop summer immersion programs for high school students that facilitate cross-cultural understanding and enrichment by providing a unique opportunity for: cultural immersion, intensive language study, exposure to new academic subjects, travel excursions, recreational activities, personal growth, and building life-long friendships.
Safety, Organization and Personal Attention
We put a particular emphasis on personal attention, high quality of academic, cultural and recreational programs, strong organization, and above all - safety.
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Founded by Stanford University alumni and operated by experienced professionals from other top schools such as Harvard, Yale, and NYU, Abbey Road Programs brings together a staff team with more than fifteen years of practice in the fields of international student exchange, travel, and education.
At Abbey Road, we take great pride in our faculty and staff. Our full-time and summer staff directors, coordinators, instructors and resident advisors are experienced, dedicated and caring individuals carefully selected and screened. Many of our summer staff and faculty are talented university professors and instructors, high school teachers, college administrators, and advanced graduate and high qualified college graduates. We maintain a minimum ratio of 1 staff member for every 8 students.
Dr. Arthur Kian - Managing Director and Founder. Arthur has been directing pre-college and summer programs in the U.S. and in Western Europe for over 15 years. His areas of expertise include foreign languages, European and Eastern history and culture, political science and international relations. He is a former Instructor with the Stanford Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY), and an Academic Consultant with the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). He earned his Ph.D. and MA from Stanford University.
Rhia Moreno Kilpatrick - Director of Staff and Italian Programs, Academic Coordinator. Rhia received her Masters from Harvard University Graduate School of Education where she specialized in interactive education and educational travel. She completed a BA in Italian History from the University of California Santa Cruz and has also studied at the University of Rome, La Sapienza as well as the Middlebury College School of Italian. Rhia has lived and worked in Italy numerous times and has been directing programs there for the past 4 years.
Federico Fava - Coordinator of Italian Programs, Travel Director. A native Italian, Federico has worked and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He studied in Finland and the U.K. and graduated with a degree in Tourism Management from the University of Brighton. Having worked with a number of study abroad programs, Federico is very familiar with educational travel.
Shelli McDowell - Coordinator of Spanish Programs and Staff. Shelli graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a double major in Spanish Literature and Law & Society. She also spent a year studying abroad in Madrid. Shelli has worked not only in Spain, but also in Scotland and Ireland and is now working towards her MA in International Education at New York University while working full-time for Abbey Road.
Fabian Stein - Coordinator of French Programs and European Marketing. Fabian grew up in Munich, Germany. He completed his Masters in Communications and North American Studies at Freie Universität in Berlin. He is fluent in three languages and currently lives in Paris. Fabian first became interested in the field of educational travel when he studied abroad in the U.S. as a 16 year old student.
Janet Lawrence - Coordinator of North American Programs and Travel. Janet graduated from Smith College with a BA in English Literature and Italian Studies. She has spent numerous years living and working in Florence, Italy and has a lot of experience with study abroad programs both as a participant and as a staff member.
Fabien Tracco - Coordinator of U.S. Programs Admissions and French Homestay. Fabien is a native of Antibes, France where he currently lives and works full-time fostering relationships with local families and developing programs for foreign students in the US. He received his MA in Biology from Nice University.
Ellen Spindel - Student Admissions Coordinator. Ellen has worked in admissions for over 15 years at well known film schools in Los Angeles including the Promenade Conservatory and the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Her areas of expertise include mentoring students and producing and adapting theatre productions for children and teenagers. Ellen received her degree from the State University of New York Institute of Technology.
Dahni Bagdasarov - US Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer. Dahni majored in Graphic and Advertising Design while attending the Art Center College of Design in California. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dahni has traveled extensively throughout Eastern and Western Europe and lived in Moscow for 7 years. He speaks fluent Russian.
Dave Hanson - Office Manager, Los Angeles. Dave received his BA in English from the University of Southern California, and has traveled extensively both in Europe and the United States. Born and raised in California, Dave oversees all office administration and special projects for the company.
Veronica Dristas - Program Director, Italy. Veronica is currently the Coordinator of the Italian Language Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She has taught Italian for 10 years and is in the process of finishing her dissertation on language program development. She also dedicates her time to delivering papers at numerous conferences across the country and abroad.
Sylvain Rovera - Program Director, France. Sylvain was born and raised in Antibes. He currently teaches high school French in the United States where he also coaches the school tennis team. He has an MA in Economics from the University of Nice and an MA in French Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
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© Copyright 2007. Abbey Road Programs Inc.
Our teaching method is founded on active, experiential learning in a non-traditional educational environment. Our courses, covering a wide range of academic subjects, are designed to be both educational and fun, emphasizing student motivation and interaction, as well as a diversity of teaching methods and educational media.
We believe that students should be a part of what they are learning as they are learning, and not in a simulated environment or a traditional classroom. We take students out of the classroom so that they can experience the subject of their study first hand, making the educational process more engaging. As an Abbey Road student, you will practice your French at the local fruit market, discuss Italian fashion in an outdoor café, comment on Michelangelo's David in the Galleria dell'Accademia, or improve your Spanish with your new friends over tapas.
Language Study
Abbey Road incorporates aspects of the communicative approach into its methodology while promoting language use and interaction in real, non-simulated situations. We believe in hands-on language learning and therefore spend most of the time outside of the classroom where students converse with locals and participate in authentic, activity-based situations that not only enhance language skills, but encourage cultural immersion within the host community.
Our language courses emphasize active usage, interaction and immersion in the native speaking environment, using art, music, literature, film and other cultural references to inspire and reinforce language learning.
Our instructors create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere. They focus on transforming passive knowledge of the language into active knowledge using creativity and innovation. Many students come to us with a solid understanding of the language and yet feel uncomfortable speaking or actually using the language to converse…we change that.
Whether you are interviewing locals in the park, planning a trip at the train station, or asking directions for a city "treasure hunt," you will be using the language in a variety of situations and activities while having fun.
Other Academic Subjects
The Abbey Road Experiential Learning Method has also been utilized in the development of our pre-college courses, covering a wide range of academic subjects. These courses will help you boost your college applications and better prepare you for your college years while giving you the experience of a lifetime.
These courses take place on-location, away from the traditional classroom, and use innovative teaching styles. On the Western Civilization program students spend their class hours discussing Plato and Socrates at the Parthenon and walking in Julius Caesar's footsteps in the Roman Forum. Renaissance art is studied while standing in front of Botticelli's Primavera in the Uffizi and beneath Giotto's frescos in Santa Croce.
All of our courses from Barcelona Modern Architecture to Italian Civilization follow the same experiential learning model. Students learn in a context which helps to not only keep them engaged, but also allows them to better grasp the material through visual, verbal, and hands-on reinforcement.
Why sit in a classroom looking at images in a textbook when you could be with Abbey Road studying art and history in the Louvre?
Using Your Abbey Road Experience
Our summer courses will bolster your college applications, allow you to petition for high school or college credit, and give you the academic knowledge and language skills which will prove invaluable in your college years.
At the end of each course, you will receive an official Abbey Road transcript with a description of the program and course taken, hours completed, and the grade earned. Students typically use this transcript to their benefit by petitioning for credit or simply as a way to enhance their college applications.
Colleges and universities look highly upon the fact that a student has chosen to do an academic program abroad. By adding the Abbey Road transcript to your college application, you are increasing your chances of acceptance. You will also be able to supplement your future studies with the knowledge you have gained while studying with Abbey Road.
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- We combine great fun and serious learning
- We emphasize real cultural and language immersion
- We believe in personal attention and comfortable group size, allowing students to experience local culture without feeling like a part of a large "tourist" group
- We strive to balance structure, supervision and freedom - allowing students to have choices but never compromising safety, organization, or quality of programming
- We hire the best staff - experienced, dedicated, caring, energetic and fun. We recruit talented teachers and students from top universities like Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley, and others
- We only work with accredited, reputable and carefully chosen teachers and foreign schools, in partnership with our own faculty
- We offer competitive, all-inclusive fees covering round-trip airfare from New York City, all travel (including travel extensions), transportation, lodging and meals, planned group excursions, tuition and credit, tutoring and workshops, and travel and medical insurance; there are no hidden fees or surprises
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Here is what our students and parents had to say about their experience with Abbey Road:
"My summer in Spain was excellent and there was very little that I would actually change! My homestay family was absolutely wonderful -- they were all that I expected … I found that I was learning the perfect material for my level and accomplished a lot in terms of my Spanish conversational skills ... Thanks again for everything on the trip -- it was one of the best experiences of my life!"
Anjali, student - Kensington, MD
"I felt that I learned a lot through my experience and the school that we attended. My Spanish has improved greatly. The teachers were very good and helpful. Almost all the excursions were awesome … My favorite excursions were the jazz concert, windsurfing and mountain biking … The staff was awesome, organized, fun and helpful. Really fun! Overall this was the best summer I've had in a long time … Cádiz was the best!"
Stephen, student - Sandy, UT
"It was everything you described and more… the academic aspects of the program were, from Sarah's vantage point, sensational, most especially the quality of the professors and the venues … She experienced things she may never experience again. But it is clear the whole package prepared her better for the upcoming college life. Third, the RA's were, according to Sarah, top class and very supportive and professional."
Bill, father - Boston, MA
"On behalf of the Cannes group, I'd like to say "thank you" for one of the best summers of my life. I truly lived one of my dreams to study abroad. I am so lucky to have switched my summer programs right at the last minute. It was fate! I applaud you guys for watching us closely yet giving us room to breathe ... a perfect balance! I still daydream of everything and everyone I knew this summer -- you couldn't have done a better job."
Anne, student - San Diego, CA
"To all the wonderful people of Abbey Road: I am writing to thank you so very much for opening up your hearts to my daughter Rachel -- she is home as of last night -- and she had "the best time ever" -- she loved every inch of the program -- God bless good people -- I am forever grateful that she is home happy ..."
Meg, parent - New York City, NY
"Thanks for giving Lauren such a wonderful opportunity this summer. She blossomed in so many ways as a result of the program and returned so much more self-assured. I think the experience of living in an apartment and having to take care of it, and herself, was great preparation for college and independent living ... and proved to her that she is very ready to make that leap! I know she thoroughly enjoyed the academic aspects of the program and learned a lot. I know the excursions to Lucca were a highlight of her trip ... and she now can't wait to go back to Florence again."
Linda, parent - Los Altos, CA
"I had the time of my life on the trip and wanted to thank you for setting it up and finding such great staff for us to hang out with (though they did a lot more!) … Everything from our host families, the school, the afternoon activities, to Paris worked out great with little problems (only the French transportation system, but that is not your fault!). I have stayed in touch with my family, the international students at the school, the other Abbey Roaders, and the staff since returning, and I never would have met any of those people had it not been for the forum that you provided all of us with."
Sean, student - Windham, NH
"Aaron had a WONDERFUL summer in Bologna. Thanks for the opportunity your program provided. He didn't want to leave Bologna or his new friends -- wants to live in Italy forever. It seems as though there was a good balance of freedom and structure. He loved his Italian class, of course, but also enjoyed the cooking classes. Really -- a once in a lifetime opportunity -- thanks!!"
Sue and Wayne, parents - Norwich, CT
"I just want to thank Abbey Road for giving me the opportunity to learn and experience so much. I know this may sound a bit formal and cliché, but the Florence program was seriously unforgettable and THE BEST experience of my life."
Farah, student - Palos Verdes Estates, CA
"My daughter is the entire world to me and to place her in the hands and trust of people we do not know took a lot of salesmanship on your part. Rachel had a wonderful, safe and educational summer and at no time was I fearful of her safety. Someone from your staff was always on hand, from second #1 at Kennedy Airport to the conclusion of the program, in our case me meeting Rachel in Paris. If you need any references for next summer's program please feel free to have anyone contact me. Once again sincere thanks for the remarkable job."
Mitchell, parent - New York City
"I just wanted to tell you how wonderful Caroline's experience was this summer in Cádiz. She quickly developed a warm relationship with her homestay family, the Menacho's. I was traveling in Spain as well, this summer, and I went down to Cádiz for an evening to see Caroline and meet the host family. They were most lovely and hospitable (and tolerant of my limited Spanish!). We took them out for dinner, and loved being in their company. Caroline enjoyed her Spanish classes, and in particular, had great fun in the afternoon salsa class. She also developed an appreciation for the city of Cádiz, and loved the sense that at the end of the 3 weeks, she had really come to know a new place well. Thank you so much for putting together such a great combination of people, and activities."
Tobi, parent - Boca Raton, FL
"I loved the small classes and relaxed atmosphere. I thought the conversation class was especially helpful because it made me more confident in my actual spoken Spanish …"
Hannah, student - New York City, NY
"I just wanted to let you know that I had an amazing time in France this summer. I spent the previous summer in France with another travel group, so I was somewhat apprehensive that my Abbey Road experience wouldn't compare to mine of the year before. It most definitely did compare to, if not even surpass, my adventures of the first trip. I was so impressed from the very beginning ... I was amazed at all the things that the trip included. Having been on other trips, I was expecting not *all* promises to be kept. I really can't believe all that I was able to do for the price. From the organization, to the excursions, to the hotels -- everything was first class. I believe I can speak for the entire group that the age difference between the counselors and the students was perfect. The counselors were people both to have fun with and look up to. Thank you again for a marvelous time this summer. I feel so fortunate to have come across Abbey Road. Maybe in a few years you will be receiving a job application from me!"
Erin, student - Gulf Breeze, FL
"From what we gathered from Courtney she had a very good experience! She liked the excursions and trips, really enjoyed Paris, made some nice friends, and thought the counselors were great fun. Her classes were fine (she
especially liked the international aspect) and she is now more comfortable speaking French. She and we felt she was safe. For all of these reasons we consider the trip a success. Thank you again for taking care of her and giving her a memorable first experience of France. She found the French lifestyle very appealing and we have no doubt she will return!"
Lynne and Charles, parents - Leeds, MA
"We are so pleased that our daughter Elizabeth went on the Abbey Road trip to France. I found everything remarkably well organized, long before the trip even began. Elizabeth met interesting people from all over the world, and had positive comments about the teachers and counselors in Cannes. I have already been recommending Abbey Road tours to other families. Thank you so much for providing my daughter with a memorable experience!"
Nancy, parent - Providence, RI
"I had one of the greatest times of my life and made unbelievable friendships which I know will not end now that the program has finally finished. My only regret was that the end crept up on us so suddenly. Thank you very much for organizing such a wonderful trip and giving me the opportunity to create memories and friendships that I will keep for the rest of my life."
Diana, student - Oakland, CA
"As a parent of a first time participant in your program, I have to say that I was very satisfied with every aspect of the program. From the initial query to the arrival home at the airport, I felt assured and informed. Any question we had regarding the program was answered quickly and fully. I know Cheri was absolutely thrilled with her trip. Every time she called home, she was more excited than before. She ran out of adjectives, and in one email home, she said the trip was "awesome beyond awesome!" She liked her home placement and felt comfortable and welcome there. She was most impressed with the chaperones, and the organization of the program. She said she met students from other programs, and they were sort of "out there on their own". Her words. I liked the fact that I had cell phone numbers and the home stay number in case of emergency. I am so thankful that we found your program and that Cheri had the opportunity to do this. I know she will remember it forever."
Donna, parent - Shamong, NJ
"I was very happy with your program for Marissa this summer. She may want to do it next summer. Marissa felt the program was wonderful. She learned a great deal of French, experienced a wonderful culture, and grew more independent. She also felt it was very well staffed. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience for Marissa."
Gale, parent - S. Dartmouth, MA
"As a parent of a student who attended the summer program I was very impressed by the extensive experiences that Peter enjoyed. I had assumed that there would be some weekend excursions to go along with the home stay and study program, I did not expect all the daily activities that kept Peter busy from morning till night. The scope of the experience was enormous, It made me wish that I had hidden out in his suitcase so that I could have had as much fun as he had. Peter also made friends with so many of the participants and he is looking forward to visiting many of them in the near future. The program appears to self-select young people with similar interests and hobbies. Peter felt everyone was welcoming, personable and friendly. He enjoyed his host family and he felt that he truly had a home away from home. He has also spent a great deal of time creating a scrap book since he's been home and it truly is a piece of art! Any of my questions and concerns were always answered promptly by the program staff. I would highly recommend your program and have already done so in our community."
Laura, parent - Augusta, ME
"Jenna had a wonderful summer with your program. She enjoyed her homestay family, improved her French and loved Antibes ... but ... Jenna was most impressed with "how well run" and "organized" the program was. She said it was structured yet she had a lot of freedom ... Thank you so much for everything!"
Elaine, parent - Bronx, NY
"I just wanted to tell you that my son thoroughly enjoyed his month in France with Abbey Road. I asked what he thought you could have done better and he said, 'Nothing. It was perfect.' Thanks for all your efforts!"
Christine, student - Dearborn, MI
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