FAQ

If there are travel restrictions in place at the time of your departure, that prevent you from travelling, we will first try to reschedule your programme to another destination or a later date. If that is not possible, we will refund the programme fee in accordance with the applicable laws in your country.

Most of our host countries require you to be vaccinated against Covid19. Even if there isn’t a requirement, we highly recommend that you are fully vaccinated in good time before your trip.

Your leaders make sure there's always something fun to do. You'll explore the local area and go on longer excursions together. Of course, there are also plenty of activities in the evenings, such as disco, karaoke, Lip Sync Battle, Robot Wars, Murder Mystery, Quiz Night, Movie Night and Student Party.

Find out more about all the activities on your programme page.

It definitely will not feel like your regular school lessons at home – our teachers will take into account that you are in a country where the language is spoken. There will be a variation of group exercises and supervised activities, all together with your new friends from all over the world. Your homework might, for instance, be to tell your classmates about the dinner you and your host family had last night.

Absolutely, we try to place friends and siblings that want to live with the same host family together. Same applies for resort and campus stays. Up to four friends or siblings can live together. Let us know when you book if there is a special person you want to live with.

Read more: Booking information

An important part of your language trip is your accommodation. We are very strict when we select host families for our students. We set up distinct guidelines and conditions that must be fulfilled before we accept a family. We visit and interview all potential host families and then chose the best ones. We have worked with the majority of our families for plenty of years.

It is most important that you secure your spot on the destination you want to go to. Therefore we want it to be as easy as possible for you to apply. As soon as we receive your application, we will guide you through the information we need you to provide.

Yes, it is. In fact, more and more students are chosing to go on a language trip all by themselves. You will easily make new friends, which will make you forget that you travelled there alone. You will be with a group full of new friends and your leader will make sure that you all get to know each other while having fun.

On the first day of school everyone will do a quick test, and will thereafter be placed with a group of classmates that has approximately the same knowledge as yourself. Every group consists of not more than 20 students.

The course material used on our language trips is specially developed for language trips. You will receive all the materials you need when you are on site at your destination.

A host family is just like any other family. They can consist of married couples, domestic partners or single mothers. They can be young or middle aged. Most families have their own children of different ages. Host families can live in everything from a large house to a flat. What they all have in common is that they like living in an international environment, getting to know students from all over the world. Most of them have been host families with STS students for many years, and many students keep in contact with their host families even after the trip.

The distance to your school and activities varies depending on your destination and also on where your host family is located. Sometimes you can walk by foot, other times you will have to travel by bus. If you need a bus card you can buy it on your first day.

We do anything in our power for everyone to be able to go on the trip of their dreams. It is therefore important that you inform us if you have any illnesses, allergies or disabilities. With this information in mind we can find a solution that suits you the best. We have host families that have experience when it comes to diabetes and allergies etc. and who are well informed when it comes to medication, nutrition and the ways of living.

Read more: Booking information

When you book your trip, you can choose a protection which will give you the possibility to rebook or cancel your trip without any extra charge until 60 days before the trip. Cancellations later than 30 days before departure require a doctor’s note.

Read more: Cancellation protection

Since you are surrounded by the language everywhere you go – at home, in school and during your spare time, you will benefit from every minute. The things you learn in the class room is just one part of the education. You will also learn a lot when you practice the language after classes, when you spend time with your host family, when you go shopping or when buying ice-cream.

Read more:Our method

To go on a language trip, you do need any prior knowledge at all of the local language. On day one, you and all the other students will take a language test, which will be used to divide everyone into different groups based on language level.

Flight and train tickets are not included in the price of the language trip that you purchase through us. You are responsible for booking your own transportation to and from your destination. This allows you to choose whichever travel option best suits your needs. Why not turn your trip into an adventure and book a stopover in Paris, for example? Once you arrive at your destination, we’ll arrange for your safe and comfortable transportation from the airport or train station to wherever you’ll be staying.

STS will take care of all transportation from and to the airport or train station at your destination, so it’s very important that you share your arrival and departure times with us.

We recommend booking through our partner, Dib Travel. They will help you book the best travel option for you and can even help you book assistance if needed. Please contact Dib Travel at: +46108887062 or by e-mail to support@dibtravel.com and tell them that you are an STS student.

Yes, you must bring your passport, even if you live in Europe and are traveling within Europe. Make sure your passport is valid throughout your trip, at least three months after your return from Europe, and at least six months after returning from our other destinations. When traveling to the US, you must have a biometric passport (i.e. with a data chip). Make sure your passport is not damaged in any way and that it does not have any missing pages. Repairs with tape and glue are of no use – you will need a new passport.

It is very important that you are insured. If you haven't bought STS travel insurance, make sure you have insurance coverage for traveling abroad. It is also important to check that the insurance is valid even when the policyholder (mother or father) is not present on the trip. If something happens, it is important to know how your insurance works and what it covers. Contact your insurance company well in advance of your departure and let us know if you have any questions.

How much you want to buy and spend is highly individual. If you know you tend to buy a lot, then make sure you have enough money. However, we recommend that you don’t bring too much cash. If you have to bring cash, it might be a good idea to bring enough to cover your expenses for the first week, and to buy a bus ticket. There will be one or more cash machines at your destination where you can withdraw money. Be aware that there is a charge when you withdraw money abroad.

Yes, you can definitely bring your phone. Your phone can also be useful for taking photos, for example. The important thing is to check with your operator what type of subscription you have so you know how much it costs to call and surf from the destination you are going to. Some accommodation includes wifi and some does not. However, you will not be allowed to use your phone in class or on certain activities you take part in. In the evenings, it’s simply much more fun if you’re with your new friends on the trip instead of keeping in touch with your friends at home.

If you are a citizen of a European country and are going on a language trip within the EU, you do not need to apply for a visa for your language trip.