Who is eligible for admission to the programs? What is the age range of the students? Where are the students from?
Our programs are open to American and international students who have a genuine interest in exploring foreign languages and cultures. We are looking for open-minded young people who want to experience a new way of life, and who are mature enough to do it in a safe and responsible manner. Our students are academically motivated, and they have a broad range of interests in the arts, athletics, social activities, and travel. Students completing grades 8 to 12 are eligible (varies by program).
How much of a language background do I need?
We have a broad range of programs, for beginners to advanced students. Our advanced immersion programs in France and Spain require at least 3-4 years of study in these languages, while others are geared toward intermediate or beginner students. Italian programs do not require any previous background in Italian. Please refer to the description of the specific program of interest for more details.
Placement tests help determine the class level appropriate for each student. In addition to morning classes, we offer tutoring and small group workshops (e.g. conversation and culture workshops) for those students who are interested in additional learning opportunities.
What are the program dates?
Typically, the programs run for 3-5 weeks, starting in late June and ending in late July -- early August. For specific dates and itineraries, please refer to the program descriptions on "Programs" page.
Is this a "party program?"
No. While our students always have great fun, plenty of free time and many opportunities for evening outings and recreation, this is not a "party program." Our academic priorities, safety rules, and curfew and alcohol policies are taken very seriously. If your goal for the summer is to go clubbing and drinking, this is not a program for you.
How do the programs differ from each other?
We have three basic types of programs: Homestay, Residential Immersion and Pre-college programs.
Our homestay programs in France and Spain place students with local host families and focus on language and cultural immersion. Homestay is a wonderful opportunity to experience first-hand the local culture and way of life as well as to improve your language proficiency by interacting with native speakers on a daily basis.
On our residential immersion programs (including Aix-en-Provence, Bologna, Cádiz, and Sorrento), students and staff live together in a program residence where the use of the foreign language is encouraged and facilitated through daily interaction, formal and informal courses, activities and excursions, etc. All of the Abbey Road faculty and staff who live with the students are fluent in the local language and many are native speakers. The key to success in an immersion program is the student's own motivation and effort. Our staff members will address the students in the foreign language and organize many cultural activities to facilitate the usage of the language. However, it is up to the students to refrain from speaking English and to practice their French, Italian or Spanish as much as possible.
Our pre-college programs offer a broad academic curriculum beyond language courses. In Florence we offer Art History, Studio Art and Italian; in Cannes -- French Language & Culture; in Barcelona - Architecture, Modern Art and Spanish. The Western Civilization program reviews the history of Western Civilization, focusing on the development of political thought, culture and art. In these programs students live in a private residence or on a college campus, in preparation of their college years.
What are the program fees and what do they include?
The program fees are all-inclusive. They cover everything except personal expenses, such as shopping, eating out by choice, taking taxis, or certain optional activities going beyond the planned program. However, please note that prices do not include possible future surcharges for airline fuel (for those travelling with the group) or currency conversion, which are beyond the control of Abbey Road. Specifically, the fees include:
Round-trip group airfare from New York to the program site in France, Spain, Italy or Greece
All regional travel costs: air, bus and train
Tuition, graduation certificate, and academic credit (varies by program)
Individual tutoring
Room and board (homestay or residence housing; all meals included)
All pre-planned group excursions and activities, including tickets, passes, meals and transport
Regional excursions and travel extensions (including lodging in three-star hotels, meals, all excursions and transport)
Travel, accident, and medical insurance for the full period of the program
On-site Abbey Road staff (staff to student ratio is approximately 1:8)
For specific program fees, please refer to the Application and Fees section of this web site. Please note that dramatic changes in currency exchange rates may force us to introduce a currency correction fee at any point prior to the beginning of the program.
Do you offer any scholarships, financial aid or special discounts?
Yes! We are currently offering a “Green Ticket Scholarship.” For details, click here:
Scholarship Page
Do I have to submit a deposit with the application?
In order to apply, please submit a $500 application deposit with the first part of your application. The application deposit is refundable except for a $100 processing fee.
Upon acceptance, you must submit an additional $1,000 enrollment deposit in order to secure your spot on the program. Both deposits are credited toward the program fee.
Do I have to pay the entire fee at once? Is there a payment plan option?
As described above, the $500 application deposit and $1,000 payment are both credited toward the program fee. The remaining balance of the program fee is due by April 1; final invoices will be sent by March 1. For students enrolling after April 1, full payment is due within 15 days of acceptance to the program.
If you would like to request a special payment plan, please contact us via phone or email.
What if I decide to withdraw from the program? Is the fee refundable?
If a student withdraws from a program for any reason prior to departure, a refund will be calculated by the following schedule:
Before March 1, all but $100 is refundable
Before April 1, all but $250 is refundable
Before May 1, all but $750 is refundable
Before June 1, all but $1,500 is refundable
On or after June 1, the fee is 100% non-refundable
Withdrawal from a program is effective on the date that written notification is received by Abbey Road.
The cancellation and refund policy is in effect from the initial receipt of a student's application and deposit, even before he or she is formally accepted and enrolled.
If a student needs to withdraw from a program for a medical reason, he or she may be eligible to receive a reimbursement from our travel insurance provider, subject to the conditions of the insurance policy. For more information, please email us, and we will refer your question to the insurance provider. The Abbey Road refund schedule is independent of the insurance policy.
If a student is asked to leave the program for a violation of program rules, he or she is not eligible for any refunds or insurance reimbursements, and parents are responsible for the cost of dismissed students' travel home.
What payment methods are acceptable?
We accept checks and major credit cards. To send us a wire please contact us for more information.
May I travel on different dates (arrive or leave earlier or later) or on a different itinerary? May I make my own travel arrangements? May I travel from/to a third country? How will this change my fee?
If you prefer to travel on dates or itineraries that are different from the group ones (i.e. meet the group abroad, fly from a different airport or a different country, or stay behind after the program ends, etc.) you will need to make your own travel arrangements and purchase your own tickets. The group tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable, and they are only for those students who travel on the entire group itinerary, without any changes or special requests. If you travel on the group ticket, you cannot choose your own airline, flight, seat, or people you travel with. We work with major European and U.S. carriers, such as Air France, Air Iberia, Alitalia, and others.
If you travel independently, we will be glad to assist you to the extent possible and refer you to several travel agencies with which we work. We will deduct the cost of the group ticket from your fee. In general, however, we discourage independent travel on account of many possible risks and complications (delays, missed connections, getting stranded alone at airports or train stations without supervision or accommodation, etc.)
For specific itineraries and dates of each program please refer to the Programs page of this web site.
What will a typical day be like?
In brief, every week day morning you will take classes approximately between 9 and 12 noon (some programs have additional classes or tutoring in the afternoon). In the afternoons and evenings you will have many options to choose from: beach, water sports or other athletics, excursions to local sites and museums, concerts and performances, shopping, outdoor cafes and restaurants, occasional dance parties, and others.
For more specific information on each program please refer to the Programs page of this web site.
Will I have free time? Can I spend time in smaller groups?
In addition to planned activities with the Abbey Road group and with the host families, students will have plenty of free time to pursue personal interests, spend time with friends and explore the host community. We strive to maintain a balance between structured activities and free time. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and safety guidelines, especially the policies on alcohol and curfew, and generally to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, and good judgment.
Who will be teaching the language classes? Will be there be tutoring available? Is there a required proficiency level?
The language classes will be taught by Abbey Road faculty or the instructors at the local language schools. Our foreign and American faculty come from the best American and European schools and have many years of experience in teaching foreign languages and other subjects to high school students.
For more specific information on each program please refer to the Programs page of this web site.
Will my language proficiency improve?
The answer to this question is very much in your hands. If you make an effort to speak the language, interact with locals, take your classes seriously, participate in the cultural activities and other program offerings, you will make great progress. Our immersion programs provide the perfect opportunity to improve your proficiency in French, Spanish or Italian. According to our students, each summer they make significant progress in these languages. Furthermore, many of the most motivated students "skip" a level in their language course after returning home. An effective immersion experience will allow you to build on what you have learned in your home school during the year, developing active usage and communication skills. But again, the crucial factor for your success in studying a foreign language is your own motivation and dedication.
How will my class placement be determined?
Based on the results of your placement test which you will take online, prior to the program, or on the first day of class.
What about other subjects?
The Pre-college programs in Cannes (France), Florence (Italy), Barcelona (Spain) and Western Civilization (Greece/Italy/France), offer courses in culture, studio art, art history, and European history. The curriculum for each program varies. Please refer to the web page of the specific program for a description of its curriculum.
What is the size of a typical class? Who are the students?
Typically, 8-14 students in a group for a language course. The size of the classes is kept under 14 to allow for better interaction and more effective learning. In some programs Abbey Road students will be mixed with international students. Small group workshops and individual tutoring may also be offered.
For non-language courses (e.g. Art History in Florence), the number of students vary.
Are the classes mandatory? What is the typical workload?
Yes, they are. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for each class.
The typical workload (for language classes) is 3-4 hours a day, five days a week, for 3-4 weeks, i.e. 45-80 hours. The workload for other academic courses varies. For more specific information on each program please refer to the Programs page of this web site.
Is there homework? Are there tests and grades?
The amount of homework varies by program. For most courses, there is some homework, although it is not too burdensome. You will be taking frequent tests and receiving grades. In designing our courses we maximize the use of local communities and resources, making home assignments both fun and educational.
For some of the pre-college programs (e.g. Florence and Western Civilization), the academic workload and amount of homework are slightly higher. For these two programs, there is a daily reading requirement and several special projects as well as a final exam.
Will I receive a graduation document or credit?
Our students will receive a transcript indicating the course load, hours completed, grades earned, and comments regarding other aspects of program participation. In programs where we partner with a local school, students will also receive a graduation certificate from that institution. The amount of credit varies depending on the policies of the "recipient" U.S. school, and it is based on the number of hours of instruction. We highly recommend that you discuss the issue of academic credit with the "recipient" U.S. school.
What about the weekends?
In most programs, the students go on regional day trips and excursions. Weekend excursions are mandatory for all students.
For specific information on each program and its weekend excursions, please refer to the program pages.
Free Time & Curfew
Will I have free time?
Yes, most afternoon and evening activities, except the core academic classes, are optional. The program will strive to offer a diverse and exciting program of activities, sports and excursions based in large part on the interests and suggestions of our students. We will try to balance structured activities with the appropriate amount of free time, and we will always try to offer several options to students.
In addition to planned activities our students will have plenty of free time to pursue personal interests, spend time with friends and explore the host community. We strive to maintain a perfect balance between structured activities and free time. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and safety guidelines, especially the policies on alcohol and curfew, and generally to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, and good judgment.
Will I go out every night?
On homestay programs, you will spend 3-4 evenings a week with your homestay family. On other evenings, 3-4 times a week, you may go out with your friends and Abbey Road students. On residential and pre-college programs you will spend most of your evenings on group activities or in a smaller circle of friends. Remember that you are expected to strictly abide by the program safety rules at all times.
May I travel on my own to see sites or visit friends?
Yes, you may travel beyond the host town and visit friends or relatives, provided that you respect the safety rules and that you have a written authorization from your parents (see the Parental Authorization Form in the Full Application).
Is there a curfew?
The curfew time may vary by program and by the day of the week. A typical curfew for a senior-level program (grades 10-12) could be 11 pm to 1 am, while for a junior-level program (grades 8-10) it could be 10:30 pm to 12:30 am. Please be advised that the Program reserves the right to change the curfew times at its discretion as deemed necessary for safety and organizational purposes.
During the evenings prior to the curfew, the students will either attend program activities, or be on "free time." In the latter case, they must be in groups of at least three, strictly abide by program safety rules, and keep the staff informed of their whereabouts.
What about the travel extension? What are we going to see? Where are we going to stay?
Most programs include a travel extension which takes place before or after the main part of the program and takes our students to a major city in their host country (Paris, Rome, Venice or Madrid). All transport, meals, lodging (three-star hotels) and pre-planned group excursions are included in the program fee.
For specific information on each program and its travel extension, please refer to the Programs page of this web site.
How are the homestay families selected? Have they received foreign students before?
The vast majority of the host families have a close, long-term relationship with our program and have received many foreign students in the past (on the average, for 4-5 years). When new families join the program, they undergo the same selection process as others, including an interview and a home visit. All families, old and new, are regularly visited by our local representative who inspects the family residence and the accommodations arranged for the foreign students.
How and when will my family be selected? Will my preferences be considered?
First, we will ask you to tell us about yourself and your homestay preferences, as a part of your application. We will then summarize this information and send it to our partners. They will begin the selection process.
Approximately 3-4 weeks before the beginning of the program, your host family will be identified. We will receive your family profile, including the names of your parents (and their children), their occupation, address, phone number, description of their residence, and other information. We will relay this information to you. Normally, we will able to accommodate at least your essential preferences and needs (such as dietary needs). Please remember, however, that in order for you to have a good homestay experience, you will need to be open-minded and willing to adapt to a new way of living (that's the whole point!) If you have rigid requirements as regards food or housing, and if you have difficulty adapting to a different living environment, you may want to choose a residential or pre-college program rather than a homestay.
What are the family residences like? Where are they located?
Our families come from diverse backgrounds. Usually the family residence is an apartment or a house where you will share your room with another Abbey Road student or your French or Spanish sibling. We strive to find families who live within a 20-25 minute walk from the school. Some families may live in nearby neighborhoods or communities, in which case we will make sure you have access to public transport or arrange rides in the program van. Normally, there will be no air conditioning, but laundry facilities will be available. The family will share its daily meals with you, based on its usual menus and culinary habits.
May I be placed in the same family as my friend? What if I am a vegetarian?
Normally, it will not be a problem to place you in the same family as your friend. As for your dietary needs (such as vegetarianism) your family will accommodate them. Please note, however, that vegetarian students may need to make an extra effort to help the family understand their dietary needs or find special stores that sell vegetarian foods. Our staff will make every effort to help.
Will I have a chance to communicate with my family before I arrive?
Yes, we will encourage and help you to do that. We will provide you with guidelines for writing an introductory letter to your host family and ask you to mail it directly to the family residence. This way your family will know about you by the time you meet them in person.
Do the host parents or their children speak English?
Typically, the host parents and most children do not. Hence the purpose of your presence there — to speak the local language and "immerse." The same goes for your potential roommates, international students.
Will I have a roommate?
Typically, yes, another American or international student from the Abbey Road program. In some cases, students may request to be placed with an international student who is studying at the same language school.
How much time will I be spending with my family?
As much as you would like. At the very least, you will typically have breakfasts and dinners with your family. Ideally, you will spend some time with them and learn about their lives, make friends with their friends and relatives, go on trips and attend family events. As mentioned above, you will spend 3-4 evenings a week with your family. A close relationship with your host family will make a world of difference in your summer experience.
How far from classes will the family residence be located? How will I get to classes and return home?
We strive to find families who live within a 20-25 minute walk from the school. Some families may live in nearby neighborhoods or communities, in which case we will make sure you have access to public transport or arrange rides in the program van.
Usually, several other students from the Program will live in your neighborhood which will make the daily walks or rides far more pleasant. On some occasions the family will drive you. If you are in a difficult situation, you may always ask the Program staff for help, and they will walk or drive you home.
What are the residences like?
Usually, these are private apartments or college dormitories. Please note that housing standards in foreign countries, especially as regards college dormitories, may significantly vary from those in the United States and fall short of American standards. Laundry facilities will be available, but air conditioning will usually not be. We will make every effort to select centrally located residences, but in all cases students should expect to walk for at least 20-25 minutes at a time to get around the host community (bear in mind that most historical European cities are oriented toward pedestrians, and that on average Europeans walk much more than Americans.) If you have rigid requirements as to housing conditions and standards of comfort, or if you have difficulty walking 20-25 minutes at a time, a student summer program in Europe may not be the best option for you. For more details, please refer to the web page of the specific program you are interested in.
How are roommates chosen?
The Abbey Road office makes roommate placements by evaluating student applications. We consider student interests and personalities, as well as student requests. Students will only be placed with roommates and/or apartment-mates of the same gender and approximately the same grade level.
Our programs attract students with a very diverse set of backgrounds and interests. An important component of a pre-college residential experience is to meet new people, learn from each other's differences, and hopefully to make many new friends. Almost every student enrolling in our programs indicates an interest in meeting new people and making new friends. It will be up to you to keep an open mind and a positive attitude in order to benefit from this type of experience.
Generally about 80% of our students participate in the program without knowing anyone else prior to the trip. For those students who do participate with a friend or a sibling, you can request to room with a specific person (or persons) -- both for homestay and residence programs. However, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled. Most of the time, roommate requests can be fulfilled, but sometimes there are special circumstances that do now allow this. Specifically, we cannot promise to put two (or more) students together as roommates unless they each request, in writing, to room with each other -- these requests are made on each student's program application.
All students should remember that one of the greatest benefits with Abbey Road Programs is the opportunity to make new friends. While all of your preferences may not be fulfilled, you will definitely be among a group of peers all of whom are excited and eager to make new friends. We have seen over many years that the students who have the best experience are those who come with an open mind to meeting new people!
Safety
Supervision
How safe are the programs?
This is by far the most important question for us, and the answer has several parts. First of all, the Program has developed a very clear set of Safety Rules and Guidelines that will be meticulously enforced. Abiding by these rules and guidelines will greatly enhance your safety and protect you from many dangers. For example, there are very strict rules against hitch-hiking or accepting a ride from unauthorized persons, swimming unsupervised, consuming alcohol, leaving your residence after hours, etc. The safety guidelines urge you to be extremely careful with regard to traffic, to carefully choose your acquaintances and avoid situations where you can provoke unwanted interest, etc. The Program forbids participation in what it considers particularly hazardous activities, such as sky diving, bungee jumping, hang gliding, scuba diving, and rock climbing. A detailed description of the Program Safety Rules and Guidelines is in the Full Program Application.
Secondly, our staff will provide supervision during most activities and be available to assist you at any time, day or night: all you have to do is call the staff mobile phone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff will always come to your aid in any difficult situation and help resolve any problems you might have — walk or drive you home when necessary, arrange for a doctor's visit, help you communicate with your host family, etc.
But all of the above will not matter if we do not have your support in ensuring your own safety. The staff will not be able to supervise you around-the-clock, and it will ultimately be up to you to respect the rules and exercise caution and good judgment in order to stay out of trouble.
What happens if I break the safety rules?
It means that you have put yourself in a dangerous situation in which we can no longer ensure your safety, and therefore it is our duty to send you home.
What is the staff to student ratio?
Typically, no less than 1 to 8, i.e. one Abbey Road staff member for no more than eight students.
Will I be supervised at all times? What about free time?
The staff will supervise you during most group activities and excursions, but not during school, time with your family or free time. However, the staff will be reachable at any time at the staff mobile phone number.
Should I get vaccinations before I go?
To make a well-informed decision, we recommend that you consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. You can call the CDC hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); send a fax to 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or view CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.
What if I have a medical problem while on the trip?
Our staff will immediately arrange for a doctor's visit, take you to a hospital, help you fill your prescription and otherwise assist you in accessing qualified medical help. Your medical expenses will be reimbursed upon your return home by the insurance provider. We will supply you with detailed information about the insurance policy issued by the Program, the claim procedure and other details. We encourage you to carefully review this information and purchase additional insurance if you deem necessary. If you have a potentially life-threatening medical condition it is essential that you keep us fully informed when filling out the medical form.
What if I am regularly taking medication or have other medical needs?
Be sure to bring an adequate supply of the medication with you, along with a copy of the original prescription and your doctor's contact information. It is also essential that you accurately fill out the medical form and otherwise keep our staff well-informed about your needs to help us better provide for your health and safety.
Will I receive insurance coverage from the Program? What does it cover?
You will receive medical, accident and travel insurance from the Program at no additional cost. You will be informed in detail about the conditions of coverage once your application is accepted (or feel free to ask us for more information at any time).
