General

Does my student have to know the host country language to participate?

All of our language and culture programs include a beginning-level course, so your student may start as a beginner.  We also offer programs that include courses in English only.

How do you select your staff?

Our on-site directors are highly-qualified and trained professionals who have a background in education, have lived, studied, or worked abroad, and have experience working with students in a study abroad program.

What safety procedures are in place?

Our students’ safety and well-being is our top priority.  We use safe and secure campuses and housing, and our on-site directors are trained to follow our emergency response plans when necessary. All of our students will be provided with an emergency contact card to carry with them at all times, a handbook that includes emergency contact information and emergency procedures, and our on-site director will talk to the students upon arrival about what to do in the case of emergency.  We have doctors and medical facilities available, and each student will have health insurance coverage, including medical evacuation. (See medical insurance details below). 

Will my student need to obtain a student visa before going abroad?

Usually if a student will be in the host country fewer than 90 days, they are not required to obtain a a student visa; however, some countries require a student visa regardless.  ASPIRE will provide you with all of the necessary visa information upon your student’s acceptance.

Does ASPIRE offer scholarships or payment plans?

Scholarships and payment plans are available.  Click here to download a copy of the Aspire by API scholarship application.  Scholarship awards are based on both financial need and academic merit.  

The scholarship application deadlines are as follows:

Please contact the Aspire by API office at 877-600-8977 to discuss payment plan options. 

What is included in the program cost?

• Group Flight (optional, summer & customized programs only)
• Calling Card
• Housing
• Meals and laundry services (most programs)
• Day Trips
• Overnight Excursions
• Social and cultural activities
• Full cultural calendar and extra-curricular activities
• Insurance (medical and life)
• Mobile phone rental (except Costa Rica)
• On-site directors and staff
• On-site orientation
• Post-program evaluation
• Pre-departure support
• Transcript (for college-credit programs)
• Tuition
• Welcome and farewell group meals

Does ASPIRE provide medical insurance?

Yes. We provide medical insurance for all students through AMA & Associates.  Medical insurance covers each student up to a maximum limit of $500,000 per covered injury or illness as well as hospitalization for accidents or severe illness during the program.  Benefits are also provided up to $100,000 for medical evacuation/repatriation.  Students also have access to 24-hour support services for medical emergencies.  Our insurance plan requires no deductibles or co-pays; students will remit payment on site and then submit receipt and claim form to the insurance company within 90 days of injury or treatment for reimbursement.  Coverage is also included for an acute onset of pre-existing conditions, defined as a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning. Treatment must be obtained within 72 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence. 

How will my student get to the host country, and will s/he be met at the airport upon arrival?

Your son or daughter can choose to travel with the group or to travel independently.  Those who choose the group flight will meet the other students at one of our departure airports (e.g. Houston or New York City- more information provided post-acceptance) and then take an Aspire group flight (included in the program cost) to their program destination. The on-site director will meet all of the students at the airport and transfer everyone by private bus to the orientation hotel or residence hall.

Students who choose to travel independently can request a custom airport reception for an additional fee, or they will be responsible for meeting up with the group upon arrival.

What type of housing is available and are any meals included?

Our students are housed in either a residence hall (dorm) or a host family’s home, depending on the location.  Both housing options include 2-3 meals per day and either laundry facilities or laundry service.

How are the host families chosen?

The Aspire on-site directors meet and interview all of the host families before placing any students in the home.  Most, if not all, families have previously hosted an API or Aspire student. We ask students to evaluate their host family experience at the end of the program.  If a student has a serious concern during their stay, they should contact their Aspire on-site director immediately.

Can my student request to room/live with a friend?

Your student will be asked if s/he wants to live with someone specific on the housing form included in their acceptance packet. They may request to room/live with a specific person, and if that person also requests them as a roommate, Aspire will make every attempt to comply with their request (i.e., requests must be mutual).

What should students do about money while abroad?

We advise that students “diversify” the money that they plan to use abroad.  By this we mean students should take a mix of “money sources” consisting of an ATM card, traveler’s checks, converted money (euros or the national currency), and a credit card.  The amount of money that a student should take (at least in traveler’s checks and foreign currency) will depend on the length of the program and where the student will be studying (e.g. the cost of living in Italy is higher than in Spain), but a typical allowance is $20-30 a day.

What if my student gets sick?

Our on-site director is on call 24 hours a day. If your student has an emergency, he or she can call the on-site director who will assist.  The on-site director will accompany students to the hospital, doctor, or pharmacy.

How do the mobile phones work?

Aspire programs (except Costa Rica) include mobile phones for students to use during their term abroad.  With these cell phones, parents, family, friends, and Aspire staff at home and abroad can communicate with students and more easily contact them in the event of an emergency. In most locations (and where available), students will receive a free phone (only the SIM card has to be returned upon completion of the session abroad) with discounted calling packages.  Students participating in these programs can order their cell phone online prior to departure, providing a credit card for billing purposes.  If ordered at least two weeks prior to departure, Aspire pays for shipping and handling fees.  Specific details about the mobile phones are provided post-acceptance.

What is an ISIC Card? Does API provide one for me? Do I need one? How do I get one?

• The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is an I.D. card that students can purchase that provides numerous discounts for student travelers (in addition to being another form of identification).
• Aspire does not provide students with ISIC cards. It is not necessary for students to purchase an ISIC card for identification purposes.  The benefits to purchasing an ISIC card are the discounts available to ISIC bearers (e.g., museums, plane and train tickets, etc.). It is important to note that school-issued I.D.s are not always honored for discounts.
• Students can purchase an ISIC card by visiting www.isiccard.com or through travel agencies.

What should we pack?

We recommend that your student pack light.  He or she will be responsible for carrying his/her own luggage.  S/he should bring comfortable shoes (already broken in!) and comfortable, practical clothes that can be mixed and matched and worn more than once.  ASPIRE will send your student a recommended packing list prior to departure.

How can I send packages or gifts to my student?

You will be provided with the mailing address as part of your student’s final packet of information, which you will receive several weeks prior to departure.

Who do I contact if I’m concerned about my student?

Please contact the Aspire staff at the U.S. office, 1-800-844-4124.  We will contact the on-site director regarding your concerns.

Helpful Links

• CIA WORLD FACTBOOK: Info, stats and maps of every country!
• CURRENCY CALCULATOR: To help you decide how many Euros to take!
• SAFETY ABROAD FIRST EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION (SAFETI): The following index has links to a variety of helpful articles and resources regarding safety, discrimination, etc. abroad.
• SELECTWISELY: This is a great source of information for travelers with food allergies. The website offers customized translation cards, and travelers can select from more than 25 foods and 9 languages. They can personalize the cards to their specific food problem and to the specific countries they are traveling to. This way, students with food allergies can better communicate their needs while ordering food abroad.
• U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL WARNINGS: Keep up on international warnings! Telephone: 202-647-4000;

Tourism

It is a good idea to brush up on your international knowledge and learn what is going on in your host country before you arrive. One way to do this is by visiting the official tourism website for your host city and/or country. Most sites have an English language version (just click on the British or U.S. flag icon).

•  FRANCE: http://www.francetourism.com
• GRENOBLE: www.grenoble-isere- tourisme.com
• PARIS: www.paris-tourism.com
• IRELAND: www.tourismireland.com/us
• CORK: www.corkkerry.ie
• LIMERICK AND THE SHANNON REGION OF IRELAND: www.shannonregiontourism.ie
• ITALY: www.enit.it
• FLORENCE: www.firenze.net/dynamic/index.wbs
• ROME: http://www.romaturismo.com/v2/en/main.asp
• SPAIN: www.tourspain.es
• MADRID: www.munimadrid.es
• SALAMANCA: www.dipsanet.es/turismo/

Summer

How many students participate in the summer programs and where are they from?

Our program groups tend to range in size from 10-25 students, and participants come from all over the U.S. 

Gap Year

What  is a gap year?

Aspire gap year and gap semester programs offer recent high school graduates the opportunity to earn college credits by traveling and studying abroad before starting an undergraduate program at their home university.