2009 Junior Summer Program Abroad - FRANCE
Introduction
Cultural Embrace offers several options for teenagers to study and immerse themselves in the French culture. Gracefully situated on the Bay of Biscay, Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town full of amenities such as magnificent beaches, superb sporting facilities, and a natural charm unlike any place else. First discovered as a whaling port, the town grew into the seaside resort that it is today thanks to Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III) in the mid 19th century. She fell in love with this part of the Pays Basque and established it as a getaway not only for herself but for other European royals as well. Her palace, built on the beach, is today the Hotel du Palais, permanently restored and refined in every way.
While Biarritz "glistens with money" it is also the historic surfing capital of Europe. Equipped with huge beaches and powerful waves, it is home to the Biarritz Surf Festival every July and brings together some of the greatest surfers in the world for a week of long board contests, music, and festivals.
The town experiences a mild climate all year round and is a fun and lively place in the summertime, offering spectacles like bands playing, jugglers in the street, and painters in the old port. The lifestyle in Biarritz is vibrant and cosmopolitan, yet still relaxed. It provides the perfect environment for sports lovers or even those who just need to get away from the everyday grind.
Only 15 minutes from the Spanish border, Biarritz is truly a melting pot of many cultures. In addition to having some of Europe's best beaches, the city boasts a harmonious blend of the French art of living, the strikingly different Basque culture, and a unique splash of Spanish influence.
Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!
Programs Benefits & Highlights
A Summer in France Offers:
- A way to learn French in a multicultural, healthy, and friendly environment
- An experience of French culture and traditions with friendly and qualified supervision by native teachers, monitors and staff
- An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
- An opportunity to participate in and learn French cultural activities (e.g.: language, cooking, crafts)
- A way to discover French with memorable travel experiences and ways to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
- The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
- A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills
Cultural Embrace Offers:
- 20 French lessons per week
20 lessons of French per week from Monday to Friday. A maximum of 15 students per group. Classes taught by native French teachers. A combination of grammar, written, and conversational methodologies taught. - Room & Board
Furnished rooms and all meals are included for all programs. Carefully selected local families host students in Paris Bretigny and Biarritz. Residential accommodations available in Paris-Igny and Touraine. Special dietary/allergy needs will be met upon request. - Classroom Materials
Study materials for class are provided (textbook/workbook and photocopies of exercises). - Social Activities and Excursions
Daily social activities and full-day excursions once a week are include - Travel Insurance: Comprehensive Medical Coverage
Our program includes a comprehensive international traveler's medical coverage. - Arrival Assistance
Round-trip airport or train station pick-up/drop-off. - Cultural Embrace Kit
Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of traveling abroad. - 24-Hours Full-time Representation & Supervision
Cultural Embrace provides bi-lingual representation in the United States and France prior to, during, and after your placement.
Program Description
Must be completing grades 9-12 and have at least two year of high school French or equivalent.
Academic Information:
School: BLS Biarritz
Curriculum: Focus on conversation, grammar, reading, listening, and writing. Classes are taught Monday-Friday, 4 hours a day, by teachers who hold advance degrees in teaching french to foreigners. Classes are held with other SPI program participants and are broken up by skill level.
BLS Biarritz:
The academic curriculum helps students develop skills in conversation, grammar, reading, listening, and writing. Classes are broken up by skill level and taught M-F in the mornings. Classes are held with other program participants at a local high school in Anglet. Students will have access to the library/study room facilities as well as computers at the main BLS campus. The school also provides optional cultural activities 3 days per week in the afternoon that students may participate in such as surfing lessons, Pelote Basque, horseback riding, hiking, etc.
Homestay Family:
The homestay families are carefully selected by the program housing coordinator as well as screened by SPI. The families are well experienced in hosting foreign students and are committed to help you learn the language by adopting you into their way of life. Remember that families come in all shapes and sizes and an open mind to try new things is important! Each host family houses 2-3 students and provides 3 meals a day (breakfast, a packed lunch, and dinner.)
Activities and Excursions
| Day 1 | Depart USA for Paris, France. |
| Day 2 | Bienvenue en France! Arrive Paris CDG Airport. Transfer to your hotel located in the center of the city where you will spend two nights enjoying the capital of France! Spend the day going on a walking tour around Paris, shop in the Opera district, take an evening stroll along the Seine River and have dinner with the group. |
| Day 3 | Enjoy the day exploring Paris! Visit the Eiffel Tower, the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. Other possible explorations include Montmarte, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde. |
| Day 4 | Depart Paris in the morning and head to Biarritz to meet your host family. You will arrive in Biarritz via the world's fastest train, the TGV! Spend the evening getting to know your host family and start communicating in French. |
| Day 5 | Start your first day of classes. You will take an informal placement test to determine your level. In the afternoon explore the city of Biarritz and neighboring Anglet on a guided orientation tour. |
| Days 6-9 | Regular morning classes followed by various afternoon activities. Possible activities include: Surfing Lessons, Visit to local chocolate factory, Bayonne, Sea Canoeing, Beach Volleyball and social exchanges with local students. |
| Day 10 |
Full day excursion to the Pyrenees. Enjoy an incredible view on a breath taking hike near the coastal mountain range followed by an exciting rafting trip! You will also stop at one of the regions cultural Chateaux. |
| Day 11 | Enjoy a relaxing Sunday with your host family. |
| Days 12-16 | Regular morning classes followed by various afternoon activities. Possible activities include: Surf Lessons, Golfing, a visit to the Musee de la Mer (Aquarium), a day trip to local town of St. Jean de Luz and social exchanges with local students. |
| Days 17 |
Bid farewell to your host family in Biarritz as you leave to return to Paris on the TGV train. Spend your last night in a hotel near the CDG airport in Roissy. |
| Day 18 | Depart Paris for USA with fantastique memories of France! |
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2009 Program Fees
Summer 1: June 11 - June 28, 2009 - $3,400
Summer Month: June 11 - July 12, 2009 - $6,000
*Prices subject to change based on currency exchange rates
**Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion
***Fee includes: 15 lessons of French/week, accommodations, all meals, textbooks, health insurance, activities, excursions, 24-7 supervision
How to Apply
1. Obtain the Cultural Classes Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:
(a) Download the forms: Cultural Classes Forms (PDF).
(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.
(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US/Canada toll-free) to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.
2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.
3. Submit your completed application packet to:
CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA
Completed packet should include:
- Cultural Classes Program Application
- Signed Cultural Classes Agreement
- Copy of your passport (information page only)
- Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
- US$200 non-refundable deposit (not credited towards your program fee)
Cultural Embrace will require an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.*
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US/Canada toll-free).
