The Learning Traveller and STA Travel have joined together to offer participants customized and affordable travel options.  STA Travel is the worldwide leader in student and youth travel, offering low fares, flexible tickets, and expert advice from experienced travel advisors. STA Travel also offers additional travel products such as International Student Identity Cards (ISIC), rail passes, hotel/hostel accommodations, and Travel Insurance.

Together, The Learning Traveller and STA Travel offer all of the support and services you'll need to make your language learning adventure memorable, worthwhile and fun!

In the US call

Unless otherwise stated, programs start on a Sunday and end on a Saturday.  You should plan to arrive on Sunday between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM and depart on Saturday between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

Please note: We cannot guarantee accommodation availability for arrivals before Sunday or departures after Saturday. Also, there may be extra transfer charges if you arrive or depart outside of these days or the hours listed above.  Please call us toll-free on 1 888 386 1411 if you are having trouble getting flights for the required days/times. 

Once you have your booking confirmed, be sure to provide us with your travel plans so we can inform the school!

Parent/Legal Guardian Letter of Permission for Underage Travelers
Many parents have contacted us to ask about sending a Parent/Legal Guardian Letter of Permission for your underage child/teen to travel on their own.  While technically this is not required by law, there is a small chance that your child/teen may be asked to produce a Parent/Legal Guardian Letter of Permission at passport control in their country of entry.  According to the Department of State website:
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
 
We recommend that you visit the department of state website if you would like to learn more about specific entry requirements or travel issues for the country your child/teen will be visiting: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.  
 
Legal Custody Issues
According to the Department of State website:
Under the laws of the United States and many foreign countries, if there is no decree of custody prior to an abduction, both parents may be considered to have equal legal custody of their child. IMPORTANT: Even if both parents have custody of a child, it is still a crime in most states and under U.S. federal law for one parent to remove the child from the United States against the other parent's wishes.
 
We recommend that you visit the department of state website if you would like to learn more about how custody issues may affect your child's/teen's travel: http://www.travel.state.gov/family/abduction/prevention/prevention_560.html.
 
Lost/Delayed Baggage
Unfortunately, during the busy summer months bags can get lost or delayed in transit.  If your child's/teen's baggage is lost or delayed in transit please ask them to follow the instructions below:

1. If your bag is not on the carousel or in the baggage claim area designated for your flight, please call the school emergency number provided and let them know that you cannot find your bag.  Please ask the chaperone to wait while you complete your lost/delayed baggage report with the airline. Please follow any instructions that you are given by the school.
2. Go to the baggage desk for your airline. If you are not able to locate the baggage desk for your particular airline ask any airport personnel for assistance; it may be that another airline in the baggage claim area is handling lost/delayed baggage claims for your airline.
3. Complete the lost/baggage claim and give them the school address provided in the pre-departure package as well as the emergency phone number as the contact point.
4. Once you have completed the claim, please call the emergency number again to let them know you will now be entering the arrival's hall. They will let you know where you can find your chaperone. Once again, follow the instructions given to you and do not leave the airport without your chaperone.

Carry-on Bags
We recommend that your child/teen include the following in their carry-on bag:

• clean shirt, underwear and socks
• mini-versions of toiletry necessities including a toothbrush and toothpaste*
• any prescription medication*
• travel-size contact lens solution, a carrying case and glasses*
• passport, travelers' checks, copy of proof of insurance, pre-departure package, e-ticket reference number
• a good book, iPod, cellular phone
• any other valuables

*For a comprehensive list of what toiletries can be packed in carry-on bags please visit:

• for US passengers: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#2
• for Canadian passengers: http://www.tc.gc.ca/vigilance/sep/liquid_ban.htm
• for UK passengers: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/.

If your child/teen is arriving in the evening or on a holiday, and their baggage is lost or delayed, they may not be able to find stores where they can purchase supplies.  Our partner schools do not keep extra toiletries on hand so we highly recommend that they include the items listed above in their carry-on baggage.
 
If you should have any questions about the information we have provided above, please call us on 1 888 386 1411.  While we have done our best to interpret the issues we have addressed above, we highly recommend that you visit the website links we have provided and verify the information as it applies to your family.