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Upon acceptance to the LPI program, parents and students will each receive a General Orientation Handbook and a Site-Specific Orientation Handbook. Both of these items will help prepare you for the summer study abroad experience ahead and hopefully answer all of your questions. However, if you find that you have questions that do not appear in this list, or that were not addressed in one of the handbooks, please do not hesitate to contact us (800)259-4439.
General LPI
How much contact will I have with LPI while I am on the trip?
How many students are in each program?
What kind of interaction will there be between U.S. students and the local people?
Are the weekend trips included?
Can I travel on my own during the weekends?
Can my parents visit during the program?
Does LPI provide the students with a cell phone?
How strict are the LPI Rules?
Flight
Is there a group flight?
Can I return on a later date, after the program ends?
Academics
Are credits transferable?
How many semester credits can I earn?
Who will be the other students in my language classes?
Is there tutoring available?
Will my professors speak English?
Homestays
How are the families chosen?
What if I don't like my family?
Can I pick my roommate or live with a friend?
Do the families speak any English?
What is the food like?
Money
How much spending money will I need?
How much money should I bring for traveling?
General Travel
Do I really need a passport?
How do I get a passport?
Do I need a VISA?
What should I pack?
Is there a limit to the number of suitcases that I may bring on the plane?
Can I drink the water?
What about culture shock?
Can I buy books in English? Or should I bring over a lot of English books?
General LPI
How much contact will I have with LPI while I am on the trip?
In addition to planned afternoon activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, students will also see the LPI on-site staff during weekly meetings, and daily at the LPI office when they stop by to check e-mail / request tutoring, etc. Every weekend students will participate in either a day excursion or overnight excursion, both of which are led by the LPI directors. Plus, the LPI staff is always available and on call if students ever need anything, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
During the program dates, LPI Parents can also call the LPI Austin office phone or emergency cell phone numbers if they are not able to contact the staff abroad.
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How many students are in each program?
Depending on which program location and dates you choose the number of students may vary from 10-50. The "Summer 2" programs tend to have more students.
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What kind of interaction will there be between U.S. students and the local people?
During each program, LPI attempts to arrange language and/or cultural exchanges in which LPI program participants are able to interact with local students. Many friendships develop from these meetings. We encourage students to make friends with the locals as soon as possible, and to try not to spend all of their free time the U.S. students or other English speakers. Your host family will also provide a natural source of interaction with the people of the host country.
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Are the weekend trips included?
There are several day trips and overnight trips included in each program. They are normally scheduled on the weekends, so they don't interfere with classes. Check your itinerary for dates and times. The LPI Staff organizes all excursions which include transportation, hotel accommodations on overnight trips and guided tours.
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Can I travel on my own during the weekends?
LPI students are not allowed to travel outside of the program city during the official program dates unless on an organized LPI excursion. However, LPI students are welcome to arrange additional travel before or after the official dates of the program, but only with written parental permission.
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Can my parents visit during the program?
If parents want to visit their students, they are strongly encouraged to visit before or after the official LPI program dates. The LPI Staff works hard to create a healthy group dynamic among students and provide opportunities for language use and cultural experiences. In order to maintain this group dynamic and insist that students abide by the program guidelines, LPI requests that parents do not visit students during the official program dates.
If a student will be traveling with his/her parents prior to the official program departure date they should notify LPI and arrange for the student to meet the group on the day of arrival. If a student will be traveling with his/her parents after the official program return date, LPI requires written parental permission clearly stating the date and location where the student will be picked up as well as the full name and relation of the person who will be meeting the student.
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Does LPI provide the students with a cell phone?
If you are interested in renting a cell phone while abroad in Spain, France, Italy or England, there are numerous companies that rent international cell phones. Students can find information about this service online. All communication and payments will be conducted directly between the student and the cell phone renter.
For programs in Mexico or Costa Rica some students bring their own U.S. cell phones from home. Please contact your cell phone provider for more information about adding international coverage to your current plan. Note that international coverage may be very expensive and most students simply choose to call home using calling cards purchased abroad.
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How strict are the LPI Rules?
All students and parents are required to read and sign the
LPI Code of Conduct
before participating on an LPI program. The LPI Code of Conduct is designed to give the students a clear guideline as to what is expected of them while on an LPI program in terms of student conduct. It plays a vital role in helping to provide a safe environment for the LPI students abroad. In signing the LPI Code of Conduct, both students and parents agree to follow the rules stated and assume responsibility for their actions in the case that the rules are not followed. Violations of the code of conduct will result in disciplinary sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the program.
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Flight
Is there a group flight?
No. Due to the large number of students participating on LPI programs from across the United States as well as the fact that many families travel with their children before and/or after the program, LPI does not provide group flight arrangements. Once you have been accepted, LPI will send you detailed information regarding how to book your flight.
Ground transportation is provided from the international airport for students who arrive on the specified departure date and time(s) of the program. Return ground transportation is provided for those students who return on the return date of the program.
For more information on making your flight arrangements click here or contact the LPI Austin at (800) 259-4439.
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Can I return on a later date, after the program ends?
Many families join their children to travel once the study abroad program has ended. LPI requires written parental permission clearly stating the date, location of student pick-up and the full name/relation of the person meeting the student.
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Academics
Are credits transferable?
The acceptance of transfer credit is ultimately at the discretion of the receiving university and should be given equal weight as any other transcript issued by an accredited college or university. Credit received at any university abroad (Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica or France) will be college level credit. Click here for more information on academic credit.
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How many semester credits can I earn?
LPI students can earn between 2 and 6 semester credit hours (4-10 quarter hours) depending on the length of the program. programs.
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Who will be the other students in my language classes?
Classes in Angers, France; Salamanca, Santander, Malaga, and Granada, Spain; and Florence, Italy are taught with college-level international students. For all other LPI program locations, (San Jose, Costa Rica; Guanajuato, Mexico; London, England; and Sevilla, Spain) students will be placed in classes specifically designed for LPI students only.
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Is there tutoring available?
LPI offers tutoring during the week (Monday - Thursday) in the event that you need help with the language, homework or just general questions. Students can receive up to 2 hours of tutoring per day.
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Will my professors speak English?
All classes will be conducted in the language of the host country.
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Homestays
How are the families chosen?
All of the homestays in Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica are personally interviewed by LPI's full-time on-site staff before placing students in their homes. Homestays in France are directly monitored by the university in Angers. In addition, all students fill out a Housing Questionnaire before leaving, in order to match them with the most compatible family and roommate. All host families are evaluated by the students at the end of the program and LPI continually updates homestay information (distance to/ from the university, members of the family, pets, etc).
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What if I don't like my family?
Requests for family changes are extremely rare. However, if there is a problem, LPI will make sure you are moved to a new family immediately. There is an on-site director who is available to help the students at all times. Students are encouraged to inform their director, immediately, of any problems and they will be resolved as soon as possible.
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Can I pick my roommate or live with a friend?
If you want to live with a certain person, simply request that person as your roommate on your Housing Questionnaire (you will receive this in your acceptance packet). However, keep in mind that speaking in English with your roommate in front of the host family may make them feel excluded, especially as they may not understand what you are saying.
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Do the families speak any English?
Most members of the homestay will not speak any English. However, they are accustomed to receiving international students, and will enjoy helping you learn to communicate in their language and enjoy their culture.
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What is the food like?
The food can vary greatly from country to country; however, families are encouraged to prepare typical meals while taking into consideration any dietary needs the student may have. Be sure to let the homestay know when you like or dislike something but always be willing to at least try a few new things.
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Money
How much spending money will I need?
The amount of money a student will spend while abroad depends on many factors including personal spending habits and exchange rates. Based on student responses from past programs, we recommend about $150 - $300 a week for Spain, England, Italy and France, and $75 - $200 in Mexico and Costa Rica. Keep in mind that eating out, shopping, public transportation and other personal expenses are not covered by LPI and can add up quickly.
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How much money should I bring for traveling?
Your hotel room and your breakfast on overnight trips are included in the cost of the program. However, you will need to bring money for snacks, lunch and dinner while you are traveling as well as money for souvenirs.
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General Travel
Do I need a passport?
Yes. All students studying abroad with LPI are required to have a valid passport.
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How do I get a passport?
Often times your local post office will have passport applications. Find your
nearest passport acceptance facility at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/. You should allow at least 2 to 3 months to fully process your passport. More information on passports can be found at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/.
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Do I need a VISA?
You do not need a visa for any of our program locations unless you stay in any one country longer than 90 days.
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What should I pack?
There will be a list of what to bring as well as packing tips in your General Orientation Handbook, which you will receive in the prior to your departure date. Please remember that you will be responsible for carrying your luggage, therefore, it is recommended to pack light.
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Is there a limit to the number of suitcases that I may bring on the plane?
Yes. Please check with your airline to find out more about their luggage requirements. Normally, you can check two bags and carry one bag on the plane. International weight limits are normally 70 pounds; however, this may change.
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Can I drink the water?
In Spain, France, England and Italy, you can drink the water; however, bottled water is still common. In Latin America we recommend that students always drink bottled water.
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What about culture shock?
Students may experience some form of culture shock. Reading the section titled "Cultural Adjustment" in your General Orientation Handbook, will help you understand what you are going through and, hopefully, make it easier.
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Can I buy books in English? Or should I bring over a lot of English books?
Books in English are available, but they are very expensive. If you enjoy reading, consider purchasing a book in the language of the country where you are studying. The LPI staff or the university professors are more than happy to recommend reading materials that are appropriate for your language level. Be sure to bring your Spanish/French grammar book because the English explanations can be very helpful.
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