Expectations for non-student travelers
Our programs are designed with university and college students in mind—from the affordable prices to the active itineraries that maximize educational and academic value. We want to ensure travelers that are not university or college students have an amazing time, too. In addition to reading through our Help Center's collection of Preparing to travel and What to expect on your program articles, there are a few things for non-student travelers to keep in mind:
Group travel
Unless you are traveling as a private group, you’ll be traveling with students and adults from the U.S. When traveling as a group, staying flexible and having a positive attitude makes a huge difference. Since you’re traveling as a group and not on your own, it’s important to be punctual and attend all scheduled activities. If one person is late, it can cause the whole group to miss a scheduled activity.
Itinerary
We design our itineraries to get the most out of each destination, so our Field Directors and local guides focus on showing travelers iconic sites with the best educational and academic value. While some itineraries have scheduled free time, it's usually limited. All travelers are expected to participate in all scheduled activities, including any additional lectures or academic visits your Faculty Group Leader has arranged for your group.
Pace
Travelers will typically be on the go all day, leaving your hotel after an early breakfast and often returning after dinner. Days will often be fast-paced and include a lot of walking (usually around 5-7 miles per day), so be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. There may not be a lot of time to shop, and some lunches may be quick so that travelers get to see as much as possible and take full advantage of their time abroad.
Hotels
You will be staying in safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Travelers 30 years of age and older will be assigned to a room with two single beds with another traveler, of the same gender, from your group or another group you are traveling with. Travelers 29 and under will be assigned to a room with two double beds, with two or three roommates of the same gender. Couples can request a room with one large bed for no additional fee, and individuals may request a room with one single bed for an additional fee. Contact your Faculty Group Leader to request roommates or to change your room type. Read more about rooms and roommates.
Meals
Breakfast typically includes cereal, bread or rolls, jam, juice, coffee and tea. Lunch is your chance to make local culinary discoveries of your own. Everyone will have the same meal at dinner, which will be a mix of local specialties and authentic cuisine. Select dinners are included with the program. Please notify us if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate them for all included meals on-program. Read more about meals.
Group travel
Unless you are traveling as a private group, you’ll be traveling with students and adults from the U.S. When traveling as a group, staying flexible and having a positive attitude makes a huge difference. Since you’re traveling as a group and not on your own, it’s important to be punctual and attend all scheduled activities. If one person is late, it can cause the whole group to miss a scheduled activity.
Itinerary
We design our itineraries to get the most out of each destination, so our Field Directors and local guides focus on showing travelers iconic sites with the best educational and academic value. While some itineraries have scheduled free time, it's usually limited. All travelers are expected to participate in all scheduled activities, including any additional lectures or academic visits your Faculty Group Leader has arranged for your group.
Pace
Travelers will typically be on the go all day, leaving your hotel after an early breakfast and often returning after dinner. Days will often be fast-paced and include a lot of walking (usually around 5-7 miles per day), so be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. There may not be a lot of time to shop, and some lunches may be quick so that travelers get to see as much as possible and take full advantage of their time abroad.
Hotels
You will be staying in safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Travelers 30 years of age and older will be assigned to a room with two single beds with another traveler, of the same gender, from your group or another group you are traveling with. Travelers 29 and under will be assigned to a room with two double beds, with two or three roommates of the same gender. Couples can request a room with one large bed for no additional fee, and individuals may request a room with one single bed for an additional fee. Contact your Faculty Group Leader to request roommates or to change your room type. Read more about rooms and roommates.
Meals
Breakfast typically includes cereal, bread or rolls, jam, juice, coffee and tea. Lunch is your chance to make local culinary discoveries of your own. Everyone will have the same meal at dinner, which will be a mix of local specialties and authentic cuisine. Select dinners are included with the program. Please notify us if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate them for all included meals on-program. Read more about meals.