About Language Programs
The 360° Advantage
Our one of a kind programs combine the opportunity to learn Spanish or French at a variety of locations within the country with the excitement of travel. This innovative blend of travel and class time ensures you benefit from diverse morning, evening, and weekend excursions to keep the excitement and fun factor high! Mornings or afternoons are for classes and we fill the remainder of the day with adventure highlights, touring, sports or visits to fabulous beaches. Visit the Louvre, surf the Pacific, bike through Barcelona, zip through the Cloud Forest and chat with the locals to practice your language skills – this is the recipe for an amazing summer!
On the Costa Rica Rainforest Language Immersion and Peru Spanish Language Immersion itineraries there is no formal instructional setting or lesson plan, the welcoming villages of Costa Rica become your classroom as we integrate ourselves into the lives and families of the communities we visit.
Our Secret Formula (Shhhhh!)
We offer the widest and most unique variety of activities imaginable in addition to our language classes. To us, learning a language is all about fun – trying new things, mixing it up with locals, and immersing yourself in the local culture and the fun never stops. During evenings, we will experience local dance clubs, attend a cooking class, or even a bonfire on the beach. Your host country is your classroom on 360° Student Travel. In addition to classroom study you will learn more through our style of travel. Of course you’ll visit the popular big cities, but we feel it is the small towns and locations that are off the beaten path that perhaps you have never heard of before that will make for a truly memorable life experience this summer!
Can Learning a Language be Fun?
HAVE FUN – WE INSIST! Our language classes are not like some of those high school classes that you dread to attend. Our small class size and likeable, fun and high energy teachers create an environment in which you will want to learn. Our schools are in the heart of the action whether it’s across the street from the beach, steps away from the Champs Elysees or high up in the cloud forest. Our classes are taught in an interactive way. Be prepared to get up and dance, sing and even act out a story.
Your “outside the classroom” time will be spent getting out there and experiencing the culture you are in. Visit a museum, play soccer or volleyball on the beach, ride the zip line, or take a 4x4 jeep tour - get ready to have some FUN!
Your group will become a “family” immediately. Imagine spending the entire summer with a group of teenagers your age learning and experiencing the language. These new friends will last a lifetime. This is why we do not offer home stays on our programs. We want our group always together living in comfortable hotels with the constant laughter, camaraderie, and a group experience that will make your language study and cultural immersion even that much more memorable- that’s our promise.
Are you a 360° traveler?
Whether it’s your first trip away from home or you’re looking for a change from years of summer camp, if you have the desire to take part in a special group experience, then 360° Student Travel will be your summer of a lifetime! Our philosophy of “EACH & EVERY” means exceptional individual attention to create an environment where everyone is comfortable and always included. To help everyone get acquainted, we run crazy ice breakers, a zany people hunt, and throw in a number of surprises that get everyone participating and having fun.
Leaders Worth Following
360° Leaders are the backbone of our dynamic programs. They share an enthusiastic commitment to our mission as well as to safety. Our Leaders are skilled in providing a balance between a structured environment and a warm, inviting atmosphere conducive to self-expression and growth.
360° Leaders are patient mentors who are gifted in communicating with teens and facilitating their immersion into new places and experiences. A sense of humor and big smile are also important characteristics shared by all of us at 360°. All Leaders are certified in First Aid and CPR and there is a certified Lifeguard on each program. We have a true appreciation for the teen frame of mind and understand that laughter is a daily ingredient of our successful formula.
Please speak with our alumni to hear first hand about the quality and dedication of our staff. Read more about our leaders click here.
360° Student Travel Value & Over the Top Service
There really is a difference! We pay painstaking attention to detail and take client service to the next level for teens and parents alike.
In addition to your Director and Leaders who travel with you daily, we have several additional Company Directors and Regional Supervisors crisscrossing North America and overseas to maintain our high standards of quality. This incredible depth and reserve of resources (with a combined total of over 200 summers of experience) enables us to lend an extra hand whenever and wherever needed to ensure your summer’s success.
All activities, meals*, land transportation, lodging and 24/7 support from our full time Directors and communication centers are included. This can add up to tremendous value! We provide everything – the only items you require are those of personal nature such as toiletries, clothing and a duffle bag.
*In Spain and France lunches are not included to provide students with the opportunity to choose from local options.
 Our Language School Partners
Your 360° Student Travel Director and leaders are responsible for all aspects of the program. We are responsible for creating the positive social environment, safety and security, meals, health care, logistics and fun.
At 360° Student Travel we have researched, interviewed, visited and chosen the finest language schools for the language study component of your experience. Our language partners feature small class sizes, beautiful school buildings and classrooms, and positive and fun environments that we know will motivate you to want to learn and improve your language skills.
Each of our language schools have two or three separate locations throughout the country that we visit and study at during the program. We offer a continuous study curriculum throughout the three locations. This diversity of study locations ensures more daytime activities, sights, and nightlife beyond the classroom and you will experience more of the country and all it has to offer.
Our Language Schools:
Costa Rica Combination - Language Classes & Community Service - Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI) Spanish Language School in Heredia, Flamingo and Monteverde
Spanish Specatcular – Spain - Enforex Language School in Madrid, Marbella, & Barcelona
French Excursion – France - Ecole France Langue in Paris & Nice
Group Size - Perfect Ratios
Group size in Spain and France is limited to up to 45 participants, with a minimum ratio of 1 leader to 7 campers. For activities with professional outfitters and guides, there are an even greater number of adult supervisors. Through our methodology of creating a family atmosphere, cooperation and openness among our participants, your group quickly becomes a tightly-knit family. The friendships that blossom are yours forever!
Group size is limited in Costa Rica up to 30 participants. Along with our 360° Student Travel leaders we have our local Costa Rican guides with us as well to share their in depth knowledge and love of their country.
Accommodations
The true comfort of great hotels in the heart of the action: A great night’s sleep and comfortable accommodations are guaranteed for our language program participants. Our hotels are great and will impress even the most discriminating teen traveler. We do not offer home stays as we want our groups to remain together at the same location therefore increasing supervision and ensuring the group environment.
Getting Around
You will travel around in style and comfort on our private luxury motor coaches in Spain and Costa Rica driven by professional drivers. Our motor coaches are equipped with air conditioning, restrooms, CD stereo/video/DVD systems and are the latest luxury models. In addition to our luxury motor coaches in Costa Rica our professional drivers use smaller buses and vans when necessary. In France, we use public transportation.
Taste the Difference
 Nutritious and delicious food is really important to us, no matter where we are. Our tour members tell us over and over again they can’t believe how good our food is – reward enough for us!
Meals vary by destination. In Spain and France get set to experience new tastes and local specialties. Tapas, crepes, paella –our authentic meals are part of your immersion experience. If you have simpler taste do not worry there will always be familiar options available. Breakfasts are at our hotels consist of juice, milk, coffee, pastries, eggs, cereal and fruit. Lunch is on your own in a smaller group at your restaurant of choice. It is so much fun to find your own tapas restaurant, creperie or patisserie then study the menu and order in the language you are learning. In Europe dinner will begin later and last longer than what you are used to at home. We dine at great variety local restaurants that you will enjoy. Our food is terrific and an experience you will not forget.
In Costa Rica all of our meals are at local restaurants and at our B&Bs. Food is simple consisting mostly of rice, beans, tortillas and often accompanied by meat or fish. The meals on these programs are part of the cultural immersion experience. A positive attitude will allow you to step out of your comfort zone and enjoy everything that is new to you.
Please note: we gladly accommodate most special dietary needs including vegetarian, kosher, food allergies, and lactose intolerance.
Keeping in Touch
While you’re out having the summer of your life, your parents feel good too. They can keep in touch with our communication centers 24/7. We’re as in touch as any trip operator could possibly be – via cell phones, email and two-way radios. The goal: uncompromising safety and peace of mind, day after day, hour by hour, minute to minute.
 Group Dynamics and Dynamic Groups
We’ve been providing healthy, positive group dynamics for teens for 28 years. We use this experience to make sure that every day is socially comfortable from your first day to your final banquet dinner. We take great care in assembling groups to look out for your social experience. It begins with the type of kids who join us and it helps that many of our travelers come as individuals and that we have genuinely, geographically diverse enrollment – result no cliques. Our leaders then recognize and use natural stages in group development to build and promote strong and effective relationships. When it comes down to it, how much you enjoy your trip depends on how quickly your group becomes a family. Nobody understands this better than we do.
Today's Student Travelers, Tomorrow's Leaders
As you travel to new places and different cultures, the new experience may challenge your ideas and preconceived notions about how the world works. We recognize this so we develop a supportive environment to explore, question and learn. This is nurtured by our leaders’ open and nonjudgmental guidance. When the group learns to trust, respect and support each other, the opportunity for growth is amazing! We become more aware of how we judge people and discuss the way we think about them.
Do a 360°! What are you waiting for?
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