You’ve committed to studying abroad and you even know where you’re going (watch out Austria!), but you just can’t decide on a program length. We get you, but worry not! We’re here to guide you through the differentiators of studying abroad for a trimester, semester, and an academic year.
First ask yourself, What are your goals and what are some potential barriers?
Unable to miss any part of the school year? We recently launched study abroad options in the summer!
Do you want a taste of another culture, but also want to save some money? A trimester might be your jam.
Really want to hammer out your language skills, but need to be home for soccer season in the spring? Looks like you’re going abroad for a fall semester.
Maybe you’re ready to take the full leap into cultural immersion. Surround yourself with 10 months of language, culture, as well as host family and friend relationships by signing up for the academic year.
You can study abroad in Spain for a trimester, semester or academic year!
To further break it down, consider these factors…
Summer (1-2 months): Maybe your high school at home won’t allow you to miss any part of the year, or you are really dedicated to a certain club. For so many reasons, the option to study abroad in the summer was highly demanded. That’s why we are now offering programs in Costa Rica, Argentina, Australia, Austria, and New Zealand. Schools in these countries take their summer breaks at a different time of the year than schools in the US and Canada, so you will still get the full experience of attending high school abroad.
A Trimester (3 months): The calendar for a school year overseas can vary slightly, so the trimester might match up better for your school. Take a high school abroad program in Spain as an example. You’ll arrive in early September, and depart right before December 25th. You’ll have enough exposure to your host culture to be life-changing, but you’ll easily transition back into your life at home.
Three months also goes by the alias; “90 days.” On those days when you might feel particularly homesick, just remind yourself that you only have ‘X’ amount of days left. Time seems so much more manageable when you’re thinking in days versus months.
If money is on your mind, it’ll be good to know that trimesters are on average $2,000-$4,000 cheaper than the semester or academic year. Take into account that you can purchase your own flight (especially if you have airline points), you can make your college application stand out, and you can have a super fun, life-changing experience for less than $7500 – school, housing, and food costs included!
Make friends and learn about the culture during a trimester program.
Now, let’s move on…
A Semester (5-6 months): If you’re really focused on sharpening your language skills, it helps to stay longer – say 2 months longer. All the great experiences you can have during a trimester, you can extend on a semester program. This option grants you the opportunity to get a solid footing in your local host culture and language, but be back home for the fall musical or the spring tennis season. Depending on your school calendar, this might actually be a better fit for you. Some host schools begin in August and wrap it up in mid January. You’ll start to understand what’s being said in the classroom, and why it’s best if you take your shoes off when you enter someone’s home in Japan.
A semester program gives you the chance to start to gain a deeper understanding of a culture and language.
And last, but definitely not least…
Academic Year (10 months): This is the most well-known and popular program length. After spending 10 months overseas, you’ll have a better understanding of certain cultural aspects of your host country than you do your home country. You’ll wake up and realize that you just dreamt in your host country’s language. You’ll try to figure out how to incorporate Finnish licorice/Japanese Mochi/German pretzels/Tortilla Espanola into your daily diet back home. You’ll be able to get around anywhere with breeze and ease, because you were able to navigate in a different country!. You’ll realize that you don’t just have a host family – you have a second family and a place across the ocean to always call home. If any or all of these things sound appealing, congrats! You’ve found your desired program length.
Traveling abroad during your high school summer break doesn’t just give you bragging rights- it can also give you school credit. We interviewed alum Noah Torres about his two summers in France, visit from his host brothers, and college applications.
Noah: I’m Noah Torres, I’m from Los Angeles. I’ve been here all my life, and I did the French summer language camp in Arcachon for the past two summers, 2019 and 2018.
Alison: If we’re not mistaken, you lived with the same host family two years in a row.
Noah: When I was filling out the application for the first time, I was writing down on my preferences. And I got matched with an awesome most family. The mom, Marie, and the dad, Kristof, and I had three host brothers. One was 16, his name was Roman. I was 17 the first time. And then I had Baptiste, who I believe was 12, and Axel, who was 10. So it was a couple of little kids and one that was my age. It was just really cool to match the energy and they were really nice all the way through. Both years I was with them.
Allison: They’ve come to visit you as well, right?
After the first summer- it was only two weeks with him. We developed that bond, but it was still like, there’s that language barrier and it took me maybe the first week to really get comfortable with them. Then I started talking more and they would use what English they knew if they needed to and I would use what French I knew.
We stayed in touch after when I came back home. Just talking about how things were. There were a few fires in California, so they were all checking up on me.
And then I wanted to go back because I had such an amazing experience, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try something new. And they told me that they would love to host me again. And I was like, ‘Oh, that’d be awesome!’ I don’t have to worry about anything else. I’d love to go back and see them.
That second time I went it was a lot smoother. We just kind of picked up from where we left off and it was kinda like they were my longtime family friends. It was awesome to be with them again.
Connor: You and I were talking last summer, Noah, and you were mentioning that there was a possibility of your host brothers potentially visiting you in the United States. How have those plans developed?
Noah: It was Ramon and Baptiste. Roman- I think he was 17 at that time, 16 or 17. Baptiste was I think 12 or 13. They actually came back with me when I came back to the US. Their mom just bought tickets for the same plane and we kind of coordinated that. We made sure we had the same flight number.
They were here with me for I think two and a half weeks. We showed them around LA; the landmarks, the beaches, and they loved it.
Connor: Did you translate English to French the whole time? What were the language barriers?
Noah: It was hilarious because they knew a little bit of English, but they’re crazy soccer fans and they were really proud about winning the world cup the year before. And my dad is a really big soccer fan. Names are universal, so they were just throwing names out there and then, like, playing charades. There wasn’t much of a language barrier there.
They were using everything they knew. It was just them trying to just really have fun. We kind of forgot about the language barrier. We would do charades, we would talk however we could. It was just fun.
Connor: A lot of people get really nervous about language barriers. You’re like, how am I going to communicate who I am to this other person? But honestly, what happens is that you all kind of meet up at this barrier together and you figure it out.
Noah: Yeah, exactly. They weren’t expecting me or anyone in my family to be fluent. They went in, like, trying to find how they were going to communicate. It’s not like there’s any expectation that you need to meet, they’re just ready to talk to you. It’s about having fun and getting to meet them. It’s not about, like, criticizing anyone.
Connor: How did the visit of them in America affect your parents in America?
Noah: Actually, my mom has this thing where every year she wants to go to Costa Rica, just for vacation purposes. And now she wants to go visit them in France because it was just two weeks, but like everything, getting to know them, trying to communicate, it was just fun and hilarious. She actually cried when they left, so yeah, we, we really want to get back and see them.
I wanted to see them winter break, but college apps kept me back. So I’m hoping to go back.
Connor: There’s something so special about international relationships.
Noah: Yeah, it’s like if you’re all the way over there and that’s all you know for two weeks, they’re essentially your family. And that’s kind of how you see them when you go over there. They are all you know. So yeah, it’s a really, really strong and unique relationship. They’re not just regular friends or anything.
Allison: What do you think is the biggest thing you’ve learned from living with them? Either about yourself or about France.
Noah: Well, I learned a ton of French, and it’s like just the way I’m able to speak it. And that’s a given. If somebody goes over there, you’re going to learn the language.
But what I really learned is, like, how to be independent and out of make new friends. Because it’s not just your host family, it’s also your classmates, and they’re from all around the world. So you’ll have people that speak your language, maybe, maybe not. They’ll speak a ton of other languages. They all want to meet you because you want to know about the other country.
So once you immerse yourself in that kind of environment, you’re going to develop some leadership skills, which I think I definitely did. And definitely independence because you’re counting on yourself to make these friends, to get through it.
So I’m a lot more confident and independent. I want to just leave my family and go like backpacking or something. That’d be awesome. But then I also want to take them to see all of these different cultures too. So it’s just really, don’t know, becoming more confident in myself I think.
Connor: And how have you found that that confidence has like manifested back in the United States?
Noah: The first two years of high school really slow for me. I was still getting used to high school. And then going into junior year, I immersed myself in that language camp.
When I came back, I was a lot more adventurous. I started taking more extracurriculars and afterschool classes. Because when you’re here you think, ‘go to school, go home.’ But then once you take yourself independently to another country, get that there’s more than that. I can stay here, I have time, I can do more things with my life.
In terms of classes also, I’ve definitely been more outspoken. I feel like I have more to say and my eyes are a little bit more open. It’s really just trusting myself that I can do more.
Allison: I’m so excited for wherever you end up in whatever path you end up taking.
So speaking about the French that you learned, can you talk about comparing the first year, your French learning, versus the second year? And how one built off of the other?
Noah: I had only one year of French in school going into that first summer I was there. So that was just one year. It’s not a lot, but you know, it’s the basics.
But when I was there, I found that I didn’t really need to like memorize every single congregation like they wanted me to do in school. It was just when you’re there, you learn how to speak at like a local. You get, I don’t know, I’ve just been calling it, ‘street fluent.’ You start speaking how they speak. It’s not really like what they teach in school.
But it was still really rusty because I wasn’t too comfortable transitioning into it. I was picking up what I could, and when I came back I was practicing all these new words I’d never heard of before. Even some French slang here and there.
Then the second year I went back already knowing like, ‘oh, I’m going to learn it again.’ I’m not going in thinking I know everything. I’m going to go in and try to pick up as much as I can. Going it with that, being really open to it, that boosts you a lot. So instead of just having one week transitioning and one week learning, going in having both weeks, ‘I’m ready to learn.’ It was really, it was a lot more powerful and I was able to speak it a lot more fluidly.
Allison: What’s your favorite thing to say in French?
Noah: It’s ‘luper” but just because there’s a story to that. That means kind of like, ‘lost’ or ‘missed.’ One time on the way to school, I missed the train and I said that I ‘perdu’ the train. Like I kinda, I don’t know where I put the train. And I told the teacher that when I walked in and then she corrected me and she was like, ‘it’s luper.’ And I was like, oh, that’s cool. That’s a cool way to learn a word. I missed the train. And then there’s just a story to that, I like that word, kind of lost.
Allison: Yes, I love the stories where you remember the exact moment when you learned a word or you always think of that person or that moment. That’s really fun.
Connor: And also realizing that like direct translation a lot of times it doesn’t make any sense. I have always heard out, I want to know your thoughts on this. I also speak another foreign language, so it is Alison, and part of that process is learning that translation doesn’t make sense. And a lot of the times people say the best way to feel comfortable with speaking that foreign language is to stop translating in your head and try to let it kind of flow freely. Do you have words on that or do you have any other advice for people who are learning a foreign language and what worked best for you?
Noah: Yeah, it never actually really thought about that, but I think I just kind of did it, like it just kind of happened. I stopped trying to, I don’t know, word it in English and then in French. And it started becoming more natural to where I would just search for the words in French. I wouldn’t even consider English and I was talking.
Connor: Are you in French, in school in Los Angeles?
Noah: No, actually. What frustrated me was I had that one year of French and the teacher retired. So sophomore year I had Spanish, Spanish 1, and I already kinda know Spanish because my family is Hispanic. I didn’t want to go through that, so that’s when I started searching for language camps.
What t I’ve learned is actually mostly from the language camps and maybe a little I retained from that one year of French.
Connor: What are ways, if any, that you’ve explored of maintaining your French? Because it can be really easy to lose it, right?
Noah: I’d say if possible any friends you’ve made or your host family, just messaged them. It can be casual, you don’t need to email or anything. Just Instagram, Facebook, anything, just messaging them. I know it’s not speaking it, but writing it, it’s very similar. you can write casually and it’s really easy.
Other than that, I bought the French book. It is American French, so it’s going to be like the same thing as in France, but it’s still French. So just looking at that and seeing if I know these words, doing all the exercises, doing that, if I can.
The most valuable part has just been, you know, calling the host family or messaging them. Just keeping in touch. And that helps a lot.
Allison: So Noah, you got credit from your teen summer language camp, didn’t you?
Noah: I did, for both of them.
Allison: And how did you go about that process? So well, first, what did you get? What credits did you get and how did you do that?
Noah: So for the first summer, I got credits for French I A, which is one semester. And then the second summer I got credits for French II B, which is the second semester, and that together is one year.
So what I did to do that, the first thing I did, I went to the head counselor, the assistant principal of counseling, and I told him just casually, briefly, I said I did this program. I went to France for two weeks, and there were French classes. Can you help me get credits? I’ll write you a letter. And I asked you for a letter as well to give to him.
And so I came back a week later and gave him my letter where I explained what I did, so he knows it’s personal from me, and then your letter as well.
After that, he took about a week before he got back to me. And he said that he would need to talk to you directly. So I gave him your contact information and you just handled that. And it was really amazing, really quick.
What he did is he sent some forms from my school district. I don’t know if every school district is going to have this, but what it is, is it’s learning a language from an outside source. And he was able to write down Greenheart Travel and he was able to get me those credits as if I actually took them in school.
Allison: That’s awesome. So did that save you some credits or did you have another free period or how did that affect your graduation?
Noah: So I actually now have, technically I have three years of language. So that’s one year of Spanish and two years of French. Those definitely saved me some time because- I did get through Spanish one- but with those credits from the French summer language camp, I got extra credits because I had taken Spanish, which I did not want to take, and then summer credits on top of that.
So I had two free periods of this year and I used that to take peer counseling for college application. So I had a lot of extra time. It was really cool to say that I have extra credits and they came from me going outside of the country.
Connor: If you do go to university, do you think maybe French would be involved in that and some sort of way or international culture?
Noah: I always spend on going to a four-year university, but after the first language camp, it was important to me to kind of find international opportunities for studying abroad. That wasn’t necessarily a make or break decision for me, but I did have that to filter through my top college choices where I applied to see if they would have opportunities for me to study abroad.
I do want to go into international business, and part of that was inspired by a Greenheart Travel and going outside of the country because I want to be able to travel when I’m older.
I really do want to take language courses. It’s not something that I’d major in, but it would be amazing to be able to take a college course on the side. French, or like, I’d consider any language actually. I just to be able to learn more so I can travel more and communicate more to meet more people and more families. So that definitely impacted like what I wanna do and where I want to go.
I did apply actually to two universities abroad, one in Ireland and one in Scotland, which I would not have done if I didn’t have that confidence built up. And it’s a little late now, but I’m still looking at universities in France. It’s just a little more complicated because it’s a whole separate application, but I honestly would not mind going to study all four years abroad.
Connor: On how many applications, that you’ve sent to universities, did you mention your experience in France?
Noah: I might’ve been all of them. For UCs it’s just one application. So they do a holistic review where they want to see every part of you, like every extracurricular you’ve done. And I wrote down, “Greenheart Travel Language Camps.’ They wanted me to talk about why it was important to me, why I listed it there. And then for private schools, it’s the Common App, That’s where I put down all of the language camps, and they wanted me to write, I think maybe 25 to 50 words on what it was and where I went. So it was every single application.
Connor: I do have a final question now. It’s a two-parter too. Basically just imagining either sitting down with your former self or imagining sitting down with a student and maybe their parent who are nervous about this experience and are like, ‘what am I going to do every day and how am I gonna maneuver public transportation?’ all these things that seem really scary. What would you say to these people or your prior self?
Noah: What I was most worried about was maneuvering the airport, like small things. Just because I’d never done this by myself. The airports- they want you to get to where you want to get to. All the transportation, it’s all there for you. Everybody’s going to help you. They want you to get to your flight, you paid for it. So in France, the transportation there, it’s really… Actually, I liked being in France. The Metro is so much cleaner, or the train was so much cleaner.
You can’t really worry about what you’re gonna do in France and what you’re going to learn because everybody’s gonna take away something different. They’re gonna learn something different about themselves.
You just kinda have to accept that you’re there and accept that it’s a learning experience. You can’t really go and having expectations like, ‘this is what I want to learn, that is telling you to learn it.’ You have to just take it in as you go because it’s going to be a different experience for everybody, where you are and the type of people that you’re with.
Like accepting it’s a learning experience and nothing is going to be exactly how you envisioned it and that’s going to help you the most with all this stuff that comes with it, like the transportation and getting there, airports.
Allison: Thanks for sharing everything that you learned and everything that you want to do in the future. Like I said, did you get any, we’re so excited for you and we think you’re amazing and we’re so happy that you are a Greenheart Traveler.
We interviewed Greenheart Travel Alum, Sam Cushing, about getting TEFL certified in Argentina, living abroad for 2 years, and what he’s been up to since returning to the States.
You can watch our interview with Sam below, or scroll down to read the transcription.
Kara: Can you just do, like, a brief little bio intro?
Sam: Back in 2017, I made up my mind that I kind of wanted to, you know, leave my corporate job working in the States as a consultant. A friend of mine connected me with Greenheart Travel and specifically with Kara. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the Argentina program and I went down to Buenos Aires to live and to go through the TEFL course.
Kara: And just in case someone doesn’t know, what is a TEFL course, what did you do? What was the program like?
Sam: It was sort of like a crash course where they taught us how to teach and how to be a teacher, specifically an English teacher. So, you know, we had to do all sorts of practice classes. We had to actually get up in front of the classes as a part of the training. We had to write papers just to make sure that when we actually went out into the real world and taught that we knew what we were doing.
Kara: Did you have any previous teaching experience or education background or anything before you went?
Sam: No, I had none. I like to consider myself okay at English, I think I can navigate my language. But no, I mean I was definitely not prepared for that. I didn’t have any prerequisite knowledge or anything. So it was a new experience for me.
Kara: And you went by yourself, right?
Sam: I went by myself, I didn’t know a single person, and I had never been there before. I knew that I wanted to go to a Latin, like a Spanish speaking country, because I did have some prerequisite knowledge from like high school Spanish. And I studied abroad in Madrid. So I thought I could maybe navigate the language.
Sam: I wanted a big city and I wanted a progressive city being gay. So Buenos Aires. It’s always funny saying Buenos Aires because I kind of forget now the American way, “Buenos Ar-ess” or whatever.
Kara: We’ve talked about that in the office before because when I talk to people and answer questions, it’s like, yeah. I feel stupid being like “Buenose Air-ees”, but I also don’t want to be speaking in a heavy Chicago accent and then be like, “Buenos Aires.”
Sam: I feel kind of pompous when I say Buenos Aires, but like that is the way I would say it.
Kara: I feel like you get a pass though because you lived there.
Sam: You think so?
Kara: I think so.
Sam: Okay.
Kara: You said you met people in the course, but outside of the course was it easy to make friends? Like how did you kind of go about meeting people?
Sam: Well, I think that was also part of the criteria for me in choosing which city I wanted to go to. You know, this whole concept of like, you know, “Mi casa tu casa.” My house is your house, everybody’s welcome. I don’t think I would have done it if I didn’t already have a preset course and a preset group of people that I knew that I could plug myself into.
If there were a few days I was like, “Shoot, I don’t have any friends to text right now. Like I don’t know what to do,” That was fine by me because I would just put in my headphones and go walk around the city or go explore. And that’s also like kind of what I wanted.
Kara: A lot of friends and family that don’t travel, they often ask me what is it like to be an American traveling? And I feel like everyone kind of has their own take on it.
Sam: Totally. So I feel like there’s the Americans who go down and just gravitate towards the other Americans, and then there’s the ones that just fully reject it. I don’t know, I think I was a little bit in between.
There were certain times where it was nice because I was down there for two years. When an American, you know, a friend of a friend would come down, it was nice to go grab drinks with them or something. I will say, I think that had I done this experience pre-digital era, that would have brought with it a whole new set of challenges. Like if I just want to speak English, you know. Sometimes you get exhausted from just trying to speak Spanish all the time. I would go home and just call a friend and that would just re-energize me.
Kara: So what did you do after the course? Did you get a teaching job or did you not?
Sam: I taught for a while. I would go to companies like Deloitte or PWC and kind of do private tutoring sessions. I was really loving my time down there and I wanted to stay for a long time. I just wanted to be there legally for a long time.
Kara: Worry-free.
Sam: Worry-free. I ended up finding this job at a tech company who said they would sponsor me. What was cool about it is I actually was able to kind of use some of my English teaching skills there, because I was the only native speaker. I just kind of elected to host these Lunch and Languages where I would kind of sit down with all of the employees and we would just chat in English and I would like use some of the lesson plans that we built and the TEFL course and just repurpose them.
Kara: Since you don’t have a background in education and then you ended up not working in teaching afterward, a lot of people are in the same boat. They don’t have a background in education. They do know that they want to go live abroad and they know that teaching English is kind of like a means to an end, but either they themselves or family or friends are like, “but that’s not your career path. You shouldn’t have a break in your career.”
So what was your experience with that? Do you have any advice for somebody who’s like, “should I leave my career for a little bit?”
Sam: I mean, that was something I really grappled with too. I was freaked out because I was on such a clear career path. Like it couldn’t have been any more like laid out for me. I went to University of Illinois, I kind of honestly just followed in my brother’s footsteps. He and I are both in the same consulting business organizations on campus. He went to go work for a big four company. I did the same thing.
It wasn’t comfortable for me. It didn’t feel natural for me. I think I was, I was good at it but it just wasn’t my calling. I don’t know that teaching was my calling either, but I wanted to kind of spice up my life a little bit. I loved my experience studying abroad in Madrid, and I kind of wanted to replicate that again. Those were some of the happiest months of my life, just kind of exploring and being adventurous.
Was I worried that that gap would affect my like professional resume? Yeah, I was worried. But at the same time, I started thinking if going abroad and having this like really badass, international experience teaching, I mean, teaching is such a cool thing to do to. Think of all the leadership skills involved in being a teacher.
Kara: All those soft skills.
Sam: Yes. Seriously. If a company doesn’t value that, having an international abroad experience, becoming bilingual, being a teacher, then that’s probably actually not a company that I want to work for.
Kara: I do tell people who have this concern, I’m a perfect example. This job was an opportunity that would not have been open to me had I not had that experience.
Sam: Exactly. I mean, how crazy is this? I tell people this and they don’t believe me. The company that I ended up working for, the tech company, they sent me to Medellín to go be the head, the director, of an office of like 80 Colombians. I think those sorts of opportunities, they wouldn’t have presented themselves had I not taken the leap of faith and done it.
And I think the other thing is I was just so unhappy with my job. I started thinking, because everyone asks you like, what do you want to do in life?
I want to take with my grave a bunch of just really cool memories and reflect back on my younger years and be like, wow. The resume of my life, my life experiences, are really cool and that’s somebody that I admire. I’m happy that I chose to do that.
Advice just for anybody who’s considering this, think about what’s important to you. Is it monetary? Like what are the things that you will consider, okay, I’m proud that I did X, Y, and Z.
Kara: I’m always curious why people decide to come back home.
Sam: I only intended to be down there for like six months max.
Kara: That’s what everyone says
Sam: And when I got down there, I was like, wait, this is really cool. I’m very content. Why leave?
You just kind of know when it’s time. I was on my two year like mark. I was just ready for the next adventure, I think.
Kara: Did you have like an adjustment coming back to Chicago? Did you have any reverse culture shock? What was like the hardest thing?
Sam: On one hand, I feel like I didn’t ever leave. You come back and you know, I’m immediately plugged back into my same old friend group and my family’s here. But on the other hand, yeah, really just for the first week, I think you notice things about like our society that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.
For example, I had a layover in like Dallas or something and the airport, and I just remember being like, “oh my gosh.” It’s so diverse in this country. Not that Argentina is not diverse, but it’s a lot more homogeneous than here.
Everything is big here. Like the cars, the highways, houses, everything is bigger here.
Kara: So are you still kind of in that? Have you figured out what you’re going to do?
Sam: I’ve just talked to a lot of people about this and everybody keeps telling me like, okay, Sam, you’ve got to figure out how to like double down on your social media presence. Focus on that and see if you can grow that digital business. So I’m kind of in that phase right now. I just launched the YouTube channel, I’m really trying to grow my Instagram account, working with different brands and sponsorships and all that sort of stuff.
My older brother and I, we actually kind of have an idea for a product to come out and maybe launch it maybe around the summertime. That’ll news right there.
Kara: Is it clothing, beauty…?
Sam: We’re thinking either something textile or something cosmetic. We’ll see. I’m trying to kind of figure out a way to use it for good, like social impact. I would love to create some sort of product that has a philanthropic, charitable tie to it. Potentially something LGBT related.
Kara: A lot of people, when they first go abroad, they want to start documenting it and they want other people to follow them. But I feel like everyone’s trying to do that and most people don’t succeed at it. Do you have any advice?
Sam: Think about your end goal with it. Is it to monetize it? Is it to do something cool in the world? Is it simply just a document? And then I think having that objective in mind will kind of drive the sort of content you put out and how you put it out.
Rapid Fire Questions
Kara: What is the tourist trap in Argentina that travelers should avoid?
Sam: Okay. I would avoid… There’s this place called La Boca. It’s where all the sailors used to kind of hang out back like a hundred years ago or something like that. It is this really cool, vibrant part of town but you really have to keep your wits about you.
Kara: What is something everyone should do in Argentina?
Sam: A tango show. I mean other people might say it’s a tourist trap, but I loved it.
Kara: What is one thing about Argentina that really inspired you?
Sam: I would say the people in the mindset, like family first sort of thing.
Kara: What is one thing, tangible or a cultural practice, that you took back with you to the States?
Sam: My little mate chalice.
Kara: What is one thing that you never get on a plane without.
Sam: My headphones.
Kara: Name one country you want to visit next?
Sam: South Africa.
What advice would you give to somebody going to Argentina?
Teaching English overseas allows travelers to get paid to explore the world. Knowing how to speak English as a second language can provide that extra bump in university applications, lead to future job opportunities, or it might just be a goal to become bilingual. No matter the reason, the awesome thing is that as an English teacher, you have the ability to help them gain this valuable skill!
Why You Should get TEFL Certified
While it is relatively straight-forward, with minimal eligibility requirements to apply for many English teaching positions, it shouldn’t downplay the fact that you are preparing for a paying teaching job that takes at least 4 years of university study to be an educator in a classroom the United States.
Not all teach abroad programs will require a TEFL certification, even if you don’t have a teaching license. Don’t use this as an excuse not to be prepared. Even if you are not required to obtain a TEFL certification, you should, and here’s why.
Although part of your motivation for going abroad should be for fun and personal growth (and there’s nothing wrong with that), you will still be stepping foot into a classroom, with 30-40 pairs of eyes gleaming up at you, and that can be intimidating.
50 whole minutes to fill of classroom instruction and lesson planning
If you have zero hours of training for this job, it will become glaringly apparent very fast.
To get you motivated to take the important step in preparing for your teaching position, we’ve listed a few more reasons why you should consider getting your TEFL certification.
Students taking a TEFL certification course in Prague.
1. Respect for Your Future Students
When you get wrapped up in the excitement of moving abroad, it’s easy to forget the reason there is such a huge demand for native English teachers worldwide. As an educator in your school, you will have the ability to have a real impact on your students’ lives. You’re being given the amazing opportunity to support yourself while living abroad. Pay back the favor by making sure you’re properly qualified and prepared to improve your students’ English level.
2. Set Yourself Up for Success
Just like you wouldn’t apply for a job you don’t feel prepared to step into, you shouldn’t apply for a teaching job without the proper training.
3. Eliminate Unnecessary Stress
Moving abroad and getting acclimated to a new culture is stressful enough. Don’t create even more stress for yourself by frantically scrambling to learn how to create lessons every Sunday. Teaching is HARD. You earned that day off!
4. You’ll be prepared when your classroom turns into chaos.
Getting a TEFL certification isn’t just about learning how to plan lessons and teach English, it is also a chance to learn tips for classroom management.
5. Make the most of your travels and get TEFL Certified while abroad.
Taking a TEFL course while traveling is a chance to live and experience life in a new country. It’s also a great way to learn about the culture where you plan to teach English and help you bridge the cultural gap in the classroom. You’ll not only be learning how to teach English, you’ll also learn how your students will learn and how you should behave as a foreigner at your school.
The extra training that a quality TEFL certification provides you is paramount to your success in the classroom, but it also opens up a world of opportunities, literally. Having a TEFL certification allows you access to teaching jobs in most countries around the globe, especially if your course offers alumni lifetime job placement services, (like Greenheart Travel’s programs), to help you find a job independent of a structured program.
Most first-time English teachers will stay abroad for a couple years, even if they had only planned for one semester. A TEFL certification will give you the freedom to stay abroad, teach in different countries and be able to give all your students the quality teacher that they deserve.
Have a few questions about how you can get started or which program might be the best fit for your travel goals?
The school year in Thailand is not on the same timeline as Western schools, so some start dates are better to arrive than others. We have start dates every month, so you’re welcome to choose ANY time to come to Thailand, and we can place you, but there are some things to consider when choosing a start date. Keep in mind the Thai school year is as follows:
First Semester: May – September Break: October Second Semester: November – March Break: some of March and all of April
The best times to arrive are at the beginning of either semester, so either April/May (beginning of school year) or September/October (beginning of 2nd semester). Those will be our biggest arrival times! All of the courses throughout the year are based in Hua Hin, about 3 hours south of Bangkok!
The TESOL course is an option for most of the start dates, but keep in mind it’s a 3-week class. That means teachers won’t be done with training (orientation plus the course) until 1 month after they arrive in Thailand.
March 27, 2023*
This course is the ideal spring start date! Teachers do their training for the month of April and then immediately go off to start their teaching contracts as the school year begins the first week of May. Some teachers will arrive in Thailand a couple of weeks before the course starts to get some travel bucket list items checked off their lists.
This is the *best time to arrive of the entire year, as it’s the beginning of the school year so you’ll start school on Day 1 with your students. Arriving now also means you’re more likely to get a placement that aligns with your preferences, due to the demand being the highest it will be all year.
PRO TIP: The Thai New Year celebration, Songkran, is April 13 – April 15, 2023. The entire country shuts down for a nationwide water fight, so grab a super soaker and get involved in the festivities!
May 1, 2023
Since the school year starts at the beginning of May, placement only teachers will have a 4-month contract and teachers taking the TESOL course will have a 3-month contract. This is the best spring start date for teachers who are looking for a shorter contract.
June 5 and June 26, 2023 – a 7-week summer program for qualified teachers!
These two dates are specifically for qualified teachers who want to teach abroad, but don’t want to give up their positions at their schools at home. These dates align with most Western schools and allow teachers to work and travel abroad during their summer break. Teachers arrive for a one-week cultural orientation in Hua Hin, and then work at a Thai school for a 6 week contract. No TESOL course is available for the summer program.
June 26, 2023 – short contract option
Teachers not taking the TESOL course will have a 3-month contract, while those taking the course have the option to work for 2 months or to use that time to travel. This is one of the shortest contract options available!
July 24, 2023 – even shorter contract option!
Teachers not taking the TESOL course will have a 2-month contract, while those taking the course have the option to work for 1 month or to use that time to travel. This is one of the shortest contract options available!
September 25, 2023 – This is the big one.
The Thai semester starts at the beginning of November so if you can arrive to Thailand on ANY start date this fall, this would be the best choice if you want to do the TESOL course.
These will be our biggest start dates of the year, as completion of the TESOL certification lines up perfectly with the beginning of the Thai semester – so this is when demand is HIGHEST in the fall for hiring teachers. Those who need to be certified will take the TESOL course until the end of October, and then begin your contract from November until March.
This start date will be full, so we recommend applying well ahead of time if it’s your intended choice. These dates could fill up early, so it’s important to apply early.
Orientation group in Hua Hin
October 30, 2023
This date in the best option for those who have their TEFL/TESOL certification already or their teaching license and want to do the “Placement Only” program. You will have a one-week orientation, and then begin your placement at the beginning of the Thai semester as well. Your contract will end in March, with the option to stay longer if you want.
If you want to take the TESOL on this date, school starts at the beginning of November, but arriving a few weeks into the semester is no problem at all. Many schools actually prefer to get started before hiring their foreign teacher, since the first few weeks of school can be hectic. Demand is still VERY high during November.
PRO TIP: The Thai lantern festival, Loi Krathong, is celebrated on November 28th, 2023. It’s a really great time to be in Thailand!
Celebrate Loi Krathong (the Lantern Festival) in Thailand
November 27, 2023
This start date is perfect for those looking to teach abroad, but aren’t ready to commit to a full semester. The semester is over in March so for those who are already TESOL certified, it’s a 4-month contract and for those taking the course, it’s only a 3-month contract!
As the new year approaches, many people have been comparing the turn of the century 20 years ago to what life is like now. We can’t help but join the bandwagon and throw the travel industry into the discussion. Because travel has changed. A lot.
Communication
It’s easy to stay connected to family and friends when you’re traveling. Sometimes it’s a little too easy, and travelers have a remember to put down their cell phones in order to take a step back and enjoy the present moment.
But in 2000, there was no WhatsApp, Skype, etc. Technically texting existed, but it was not widely used like it is now. International calls were expensive, whether from a landline or a cellphone.
It was possible to communicate, but there weren’t many reliable and cheap options. More often than not, traveling meant going off the grid. Postcards were more popular for its functional purpose. Imagine not seeing or speaking to someone for weeks except for a few sentences here and there.
Photos
Like texting, digital cameras existed, but they were not nearly as common as they are now. Most people still used film cameras. The cost of film rolls racked up, which means there was no trying over and over for that perfect shot. Plus, who wants to carry around a bunch of film rolls throughout the day? Taking a picture was a one and done deal, and you just had to hope it would turn out alright.
Overall, travelers took fewer photos, and they usually ended up in a photo album, not online. Social media hadn’t been invented yet. Heck, even the internet was in its infancy.
Picture of Maya Bay taken by a Greenheart Traveler before it became flooded with tourists.
Social Media’s Impact
Social media definitely had the biggest impact on travel out of everything on this list. Instagram has made hidden gems not so hidden, which is both good and bad. It’s no secret that travelers are subconsciously or consciously influenced by social media and tend to choose their travel destinations based on the aesthetic.
On one hand, for some places, tourism is the main source of income and the exposure from social media has allowed the industry to flourish. But the Instagram-effect has also lead to devastatingover-tourism in cities like Cinque Terre and spots like Roy’s Peak in New Zealand. Maya Bay, a beach in Thailand, became so overcrowded that it is now closed to visitors until it can recover.
It’s even gotten to the point where some tourism boards don’t even want their spots on Instagram and have asked travelers to lose the geotag when posting.
On a much less severe level however, social media has simply contributed to the misrepresentation of certain locations. For example, the Gates of Heaven in Bali looks like magic, but it’s actually just a camera trick.
On a positive note, social media has also connected travelers in ways that weren’t possible 20 years ago. People have been inspired by social media to explore places they wouldn’t have thought visit, meet other travelers and share experiences, and keep in touch with people on the other side of the world.
Associate Director of Marketing, Sara Thacker, abroad in 2000 on the left vs a recent trip to Japan on the right.
Accommodation
Airbnb was founded in 2008, which meant that 20 years ago hostels and hotels were a traveler’s home away from home. Booking your room was kind of a shot in the dark, as review sites like Yelp (which was founded in 2004) weren’t there to warn others of unpleasant experiences or scams.
Airbnb and similar companies completely changed that way travelers experience new cities. Instead of feeling like an outsider just passing through, living in a real apartment or home gives people a taste of what it would actually be like to be a local.
We have to mention that Airbnb is not without controversy, as it has contributing to rising rents and displacing locals. Some cities have banned it altogether.
Program Coordinator, Kate Powers, traveling abroad in 2000 on the left vs teaching abroad on the right.
Guides
We mentioned that not many people carried around cell phones, but even if they did, travelers couldn’t rely on apps as resources. No Google Maps, or any easy GPS system. Travelers needed to have a tangible map handy.
In 2000, buying a book full of information about a certain place was the peak of travel guidance. Now, people look to travel bloggers and vloggers to share their tips and resources. Travelers can find guides that fit their specific interest, instead of a book that was written to appeal to the masses.
9/11
We couldn’t finish the post without acknowledging the huge impact the events of 9/11 had on the way people fly to and from the United States. Thorough screenings and carry-on restrictions serve as an inconvenience for most travelers, but it is hard to remember a time when there was no TSA.
9/11 changed travel beyond the way people fly; it evoked mass scrutiny of international travel that we, as a society, are still recovering from. The ideologies that other countries are “dangerous” did not derive from 9/11, but it fed into already existing fears.
Overall, changes in the past 20 years have made traveling easier, safer, and more accessible than ever before.
How has travel changed for you in the last 20 years? Let us know in the comments.
Multiple start dates for this program filled up so fast that we had to add more! Why is it so popular? Travelers receive job placement assistance so that they can stay and work in South Korea. In fact, almost everyone in the course has a job set up before they even begin.
Most Popular High School Abroad Destination: Spain
For the second year in a row, Spain takes the lead as the country where most teens studied abroad. It makes sense since Spanish is the most common second language for teens to study in US schools.
New Zealand continues to draw the most people looking to work while backpacking. This program gives people the freedom to work for an income that goes towards exploring the country. This program is ideal for independent people who want to connect with other like-minded travelers.
Most Popular Teach English in a Homestay Destination: Spain
If you didn’t get the chance to study abroad in Spain during high school, you still have the opportunity to live with a Spanish host family. Instead of going to school, you’ll be tutoring the family in English for 15 hours a week.
Most Popular Volunteer Abroad Destination: Puerto Rico
The aftermath of natural disasters doesn’t just go away when news outlets stop talking about it. The impact of Hurricane Maria has had a long-term effect on Puerto Rico, something that locals are still grappling with every day.
Most Popular Teen Summer Language Camp Destination: Japan
Did you know we just started offering Language Camps in Japan during winter break!? No need to wait ’til summer!
One of the questions we got over and over (and over) again from teens was if we offered a language camp in Korea. And you know what? We listened. That’s why we’re launching a summer Language Camp in South Korea for summer 2020!
Most Common Question: “Is it safe?”
Short Answer: Yes!
Long Answer: There are “safe” and “unsafe” areas in every country. We would never offer a program in a place where we would be putting people in danger. Most travelers are shocked to hear that many country’s governments warn their citizens to use caution when traveling to the United States, such as New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, and China to name just a few.
College with the Most Greenheart Travelers: University of South Carolina and University of Colorado Boulder
High School with the Most Greenheart Travelers: Dimond HS in Anchorage, Alaska
Shamira has been documenting her experience teaching English in Fuzhou, China through Instagram and YouTube! (If you haven’t already, go follow @greenheart_travel)
Most Popular Weekend Trip for High School Exchange Students: Tie for Dublin and Sevilla
Most Popular Sport to Play Abroad: Soccer
If you are interested in one of these programs for 2020, submit your deposit ASAP because spots fill up fast!
Greenheart Travel alumni have many opportunities to stay connected to cultural exchange once they return home, and one is by becoming a Greenheart Travel alumni ambassador.
This year, Greenheart Travel selected three high school students who recently went abroad. They traveled, lived with host families, learned a new language, overcame linguistic and cultural barriers – and are here to share their stories.
Throughout this year, these alumni ambassadors will be sharing their stories of cultural exchange and promoting cross-cultural awareness in their communities through events and activities.
Christina State: California Program: Teen Summer Language Camp Japan
Christina is a current high school sophomore with interests in medical science and foreign languages. She studied in Fukuoka, Japan in 2018 and has missed the “everyday experience of speaking Japanese, buying my budget lunch at the Japanese 711s, and buying more pastries and other sweets at the local vendors,” she tells us. She says she wishes American cities had the same cleanliness she found in Japan. Something interesting she encountered? Vending machines. In Japan, these sell everything from snacks and drinks to soup and new T-shirts.
“Although visiting Japan was definitely a culture shock, I found it to be a rewarding experience and allowed me to broaden my perspective and meet people from all over the globe with similar passions as my own,” says Christina.
Katianna State: California Program: High School Abroad Spain
Katianna studied in Badajoz, Spain for one semester in 2019, and can’t wait to go back for a study abroad in college and of course, to visit her friends and host family.
If she could bring one thing about Spain back to the U.S., she says it would either be the eating schedule or how affectionate everyone is. We asked her what she misses the most, and she told us it was hanging out with her host sister and getting coffee with her friends. “I loved my time abroad and I recommend it to everyone!” she says.
Tess State: California Program: High School Abroad Spain
Tess is a Davis-based martial artist, avid Spanish learner, and school debate team member. She studied in Spain for one semester in 2019 and hopes to travel to France next year and also study abroad in college. During her abroad experience, she fully embraced the Spanish siesta (we’d highly recommend trying it) and the accepting culture but was surprised to learn how much meat the Spanish ate.
Are you abroad this holiday season? While being away from family this time of year can have travelers feeling a bit homesick, it’s certainly a huge treat to be able to experience different traditions in an authentic way.
We cannot even begin to describe every holiday tradition around the world, so we’ll have to settle on just a few.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and is acknowledged by many people all over the world. The Pagan holiday, Yule, is celebrated this day and many of its traditions have been incorporated into other winter holidays.
Some people visit Stonehenge in the UK to see how the sun’s light shines through the perfectly lined up stones. After all, that’s part of the reason why it’s considered one of the world’s most mysterious structures.
St. Nicholas Day
December 6th is St. Nicholas Day throughout Europe, a day that celebrates the Christian saint on the day of his death. He was known for his kindness and generosity towards children. If he reminds you of Sants Claus it is because Saint Nicholas was the inspiration. So, technically Santa is real.
Krampus
Have yourself a spooky little Krampus! While St Nicholas rewards good children with presents, Krampus the demon creature kidnaps bad children in Austria and Germany. This is what nightmares are made of.
A Greenheart Traveler’s lucky pigs from her High School Abroad in Austria
Marzipan Glückschwein
Austria also has many cute traditions, like pigs! Around New Year’s Eve, you’ll find an abundance of candy pigs (Marzipan Glückschwein) that symbolize good luck. The meaning comes from medieval times when locals got lucky if they were able to breed a lot of pigs. Variations are also celebrated in Germany.
Lunar New Year
Many Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is also called the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival depending on location. The date changes depending on the moon cycle, but is usually in January. You might see people giving each other red envelopes which contain money, and you’ll definitely see fireworks.
In Japan, one of the most common Lunar New Year treats is mochi. Mochi is a sweet and sticky rice treat that looks like a dumpling. When homemade, it is pounded together in a large mortar, but many people opt for store-bought.
Tết, the Vietnamese name for the Lunar New Year, is celebrated by honoring ancestors. There is usually an alter with bánh chưng as an offering. Bánh chưng consists of pork and bean-filled rice that have been packaged in lá dong into a square shape.
Befana
La Befana, AKA the Christmas Witch, delivers presents to children in Italy on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). Families leave wine out for her visit, and she will use her broom to sweep the floors before she leaves.
A Greenheart Traveler as Lucia while attending high school in Sweden
St. Lucia Day
On December 13th in Sweden, children wear white gowns, red sashes, and wreath crowns. There is one designated “Lucia” who gets to wear candles in her wreath, while the rest of the people hold theirs. They sing songs for adults, usually school pageants.
Have you celebrated the Holidays abroad? Share what it was like in the comments!
This holiday season, instead of giving material items to the people we love most, give the chance to make memories that will shape the rest of their lives.
Traveling has a profound impact on individuals. They will have their perspectives challenged, learn to live alongside different cultures, and grow as an independent human. Language camps are the perfect travel gifts to give teens because of the flexible start dates, individual support, and overall structure of the programs.
So what are the next steps in order for this idea to become a reality? Take a look below at our no-frills guide to gifting a Greenheart experience.
Choose a Destination
You can check out this list of our destinations and their details. Choosing a country based on the language your child is learning in school is a good place to start. Don’t stress too much; if this doesn’t work for your child later, we will adjust the destination.
Start the Application Process
Filling out the initial application will only take you 2-3 minutes. If this is a surprise, DO NOT put your kid’s email. Please also include the word “Gift” somewhere in their name so we’re in on the secret.
Read and Sign the Terms and Conditions
This is your opportunity to read through details thoroughly. The adult gift-giver must sign the terms and conditions (your child will sign later, but for now this just needs to be you).
Secure Your Spot
Reserve your spot via an initial deposit. This is not an extra fee, it is part of the total program fee and can be applied to a different program if you decide the one you’re gifting isn’t really the right destination after all. You must submit your deposit a minimum of 10 business days prior to when your child will open their surprise to receive your package on time!
Receive Your Gift Package
We’ll put a special package in the mail that your child can open on your chosen day of gifting. They’ll receive a Greenheart Travel T-Shirt, Canvas Bag, and a special announcement that lets them know they’re about to embark on a trip of a lifetime! Note, this is only available for US residents.
Celebrate
Give your gift! Discuss the details and talk about what’s to come.
Finish the Application
Once your child has opened their surprise, we’ll send you the last steps of the application to be completed. This will include things like medical history, host family preferences, and other details your child will get to provide.
Final Details
Go through the Pre-Departure process with your Greenheart Travel program manager!We understand that gifting something like this is a big deal, so we are here for you! Please reach out to the program manager at any time to clarify questions/doubts/concerns you might have.
