activities outside the classroom
After classes are over for the day, our programs allow you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new classmates, experience cultural activities together and practice your new language skills in real life situations. A teacher or school representative normally guides the optional school activities including, cultural trips, sporting events or weekend excursions, schedules are normally posted on the school bulletin board.

Many activities are free, some examples could include: a game of organized soccer in the local park, a walking tour of the city, lectures or guest speakers at the school, workshops, a visit to a local market, video movie nights at the school, theme parties, local dance classes, etc.

In other cases the daily activities are offered at a small additional charge to cover entrance fees and transport, some examples could include a guided visit to a museum, local gallery, the theater or opera, a local sporting event, a trip to the cinema, places of interest (which have a entrance fee), a trip to a local town, local cooking classes, etc.

At the weekend many students arrange to take our optional day excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive between $20-$40 as they are normally a full day or weekend excursion with transport, sometimes meals and entrance fees. All excursions are optional and students do not have to attend any excursions, if they have other plans.

You will discover that many students form great friendships and spend a lot of time together outside of class. There is so much to do after classes are over for the day that your options are endless or you may just decide to relax and hit the beach or cafe for the afternoon. Once class is finished for the day, the rest of the day is your own free time and you can do whatever you wish. This is a benefit of our programs, as it allows you the opportunity to get involved with the other students when you wish, or take a step back and do your own thing when you want to, your choice!

Remember each location and country offers different activities and excursion opportunities. Here are some examples of what are offered after classes or at weekends in some of our popular locations around the world:

Florence - Italy - There is no limit to the treasures of this city, which many art lovers consider the most hallowed on earth. Visit the shop lined Ponte Vecchio, the distinctive Duomo or the Uffizi Gallery. Walk the old medieval center or attend one of the countless festivals, fairs, and live performances. At the weekends take a trip to Pisa and see the world famous leaning Tower of Pisa or the medieval city of Siena, one of Italy's most perfectly preserved medieval towns.

Monteverde - Costa Rica - Located in a rural region about a 4.5 hour bus ride from San José,Monteverde is a small village community located on the Tilaran mountain range (5,600 feet) and the biggest attraction is the Cloud Forest. It has over 400 bird species, 420 species of orchids and more than 100 species of mammals. The Sky Trek is a popular activity, which is a system of trails, suspension bridges and zip lines high in the canopy of the forest. It allows students the opportunity to observe and appreciate tropical vegetation from different vantage points, above the canopy. After class why not visit the local Quaker community, go horse back riding or hike the local volcano "Volcán Arenal" which is located just to the west.

Cairo - Egypt - With its layers of history and density of streets, one could spend months walking around Cairo and still not manage to see - or even find - all of its mosques and minarets, Coptic churches, souks, small museums and other places of interest. After class why not visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, take a camel ride to the pyramids of giza or take a trip down the Nile river.

Chiang Mai - Thailand - Surrounded by mountainous countryside and close to both Burma and Laos, this area is perfect for the traveler who enjoys history, local tribes and nature. Located just outside the city is an elephant training school, an orchid farm, white water rafting opportunities and snake farms At the weekends visit local hill tribes, temples, markets or the Doi Inthanon National Park and the Golden Triangle.

Malaga - Spain - Located on the Mediterranean coast, Malaga enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 22ºC, due to its location in the weather shadow of beautiful and rugged mountains. The coastline offers many beautiful beaches, sandy coves and is dotted with small fishing villages. The city has a lot to offer visitors including theaters, cinemas, museums, bullring and shops. At the weekends visit the beautiful and historic cities of Granada, Sevilla and Córdoba or for the more daring, North Africa can be reached by Ferry. If this is all to much for you, why not relax and hit the beach!