Custom Educational Travel Programs

Custom Program Planning Information

A minimum of 10 students is required for a custom program. If student enrollment drops below 10, the group air contract will be endangered. This may change the air routing and fare, the travel dates, and the student price.

Price estimates are based on categories of projected student numbers (e.g. 10-14 students, 15-19 students, 20-24 students, etc.). The final price is based on the category that reflects the actual group size at the time of final billing.

As you consider your travel dates and departure airport, please keep in mind: the more flexible your travel dates, the more flights we have to choose from when we book your group.  Small, regional airports are very restrictive due to few flights and small airplanes which are more vulnerable to bad weather; fares may also be considerably more expensive. Larger airports offer more booking options. Your requests for specific travel dates, airline, airport, or flight schedule may increase your price. Travel dates, airfare, airline and routing are not guaranteed until flights are confirmed.

Family Stay

If you’d like to incorporate an ISE family stay, please plan the family stay toward the middle or later part of the program, including a full weekend if possible. In this way students are more motivated to practice their language skills prior to their family stay. If you coordinate your own family stay, feel free to arrange your group travel when it’s most convenient for your host families.

Daily travel

Ideal travel time is 2-3 hours. More than 6 hours of travel between overnight cities is not recommended.

Transportation

For smaller groups (fewer than 20 participants), travel by train or public bus is usually more economical. Local excursions by chartered motor coach/bus can be arranged.

Overnight stays

To avoid continuous packing and unpacking and feeling "on-the-run", it is advisable to stay at least two nights in each location. For large cities such as Paris, Madrid, Berlin or Mexico City we suggest 3-4 days.

Lunches and dinners

Even though group meals can be arranged by ISE, it is more engaging and economical for the students to seek out restaurants themselves in small groups. If you would like to include a meal allowance in your program price, please indicate the amount per student on the next page. Breakfasts are always included with hotel accommodations.

Personal expenses for the teacher

Money for the teacher can be included in the program price. Amounts ranging from $20 - $50 per student are most common. If you would like to include this leader stipend, please indicate the amount per student on the following form.

Entrance fee/activity allowance

With these funds you pay on-site for museum entrance fees, group tours, etc. Amounts typically range from $40-$100 per student.

ISE-arranged excursions/activities

Some group activities such as concerts and guided visits/tours for large groups must be arranged and paid for prior to your departure; please discuss these items with your program coordinator.

Parents must sign the Custom Program Acknowledgement Form indicating that they understand that the pricing and rules regarding refunds for custom programs differ from standard programs. This form is part of the ISE application.