CURRICULAR AND EDCATIONAL CONTENT
TUITION • SUPERVISION AND SAFETY
TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATIONS, AND LOGISTICS
Curricular and Educational Content
How is this experience different than other student tours?
With over 40 years of educational travel experience, the Workshops Foundation now offers an international travel experience designed around a comprehensive, intensive curriculum. Through the use of expert speakers, exclusive visits, and extended one-on-one peer interaction, Global Awareness Seminars prove unmatched in terms of educational content, value, and quality. Built on contemporary, multi-disciplinary educational models, our curriculum includes content focus – at a minimum – in history, culture, environmental stewardship, peer interaction, and the arts. The Workshops Foundation believes it is such interwoven educational experience that creates truly global citizens.
How will this experience help me academically?
A Global Awareness is increasingly important for young adults. Any individual hoping to eventually study or work in business, trade, international relations, or the social sciences will gain significantly from the Global Awareness Seminars’ authentic, integrated program. As you apply to colleges, universities, and future jobs, the experience gained from this program will demonstrate your commitment to academics and global understanding, granting you a competitive advantage among your peers.
Why take part in a Global Awareness Seminar now?
Our seminar locations – along with their rich cultures, extensive histories, dynamic economies, and growing international reputations – have been specifically selected because of their immediate global relevance. Your experience with these destinations as a student will increase your marketability as an employee and authority upon entering the working world in the future.
How are Seminar Delegates selected for invitation?
Since our international seminars require a high level of academic preparedness and maturity, we are only able to invite select groups of students to attend. Previous Washington Workshops Seminar participants and students nominated by their teachers or home schools are eligible for travel with our Global Awareness programs.
Tuition
Are there any scholarships available?
The Washington Workshops Foundation does offer scholarships for its programming, though all Workshops-specific scholarships for the 2009-10 school year have already been allocated. However, to assist interested candidates in locating tuition assistance, the Workshops Foundation provides a Fundraising Guide and our list of Donor Organizations. Both materials are available upon request. We urge all students to seek out scholarships as many institutions look to support educational ventures. Tips: ask and apply early; reach out and take advantage of support in your home community.
What does the price include and not include?
Included with tuition: all air transportation from the, and returning to, the U.S. gateway city; all transportation between host cities; all transportation within each destination city; 2-3 meals each day; all hotel accommodations; expert guide services; travel/medical insurance; all gratuities; program materials; and travel visas, when required.
Not included with tuition: flight to and from the gateway city; passport fees; incidental hotel charges (phone calls, internet); extra snacks/drinks; and souvenirs when shopping.
Supervision and Safety
Is there a curfew?
Yes. All students must be in their hotel room and quiet by 10:00 p.m. every evening. On occasion – due to late travel or a late event – the curfew may be extended until arrival back at the hotel.
Are there specific expectations or rules students must follow?
Yes. Upon the start of the program, every student must read, agree to, and sign the Seminar Standards. Seminar Standards are designed to communicate expectations of the program, as well as outline consequences if any of these expectations are violated. Standards further ensure that absolutely no behavior that jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of any student will be tolerated during any seminar at any time.
In the event of illness or injury, what will happen?
Every effort will be made to use the best available care in the event of an injured or ill student. In China – in the larger cities – we use western-owned and operated hospitals. In smaller cities, we may use Chinese hospitals with English speaking departments designed for foreign visitors. Included with your tuition is our Travel Insurance Plan. This supplementary travel, medical, and personal belongings coverage ensures all students have full coverage during the length of the program. For minor medical and health needs, the group will make periodic visits to western drug stores.
Is there a communication/compliance policy in the event of illness or injury?
If at any time a participant needs to call home to seek medical advice or comfort, our staff will initiate and pay for said phone call. If at any time a participant or parent requests medical attention, such requests will be immediately granted.
How many supervisors or chaperones attend the program?
Two adult Program Administrators (from the Workshops staff) – one male and one female – will meet the group in the gateway city, remain with the group throughout their seminar experience, and will return with the group to the original gateway city. The roles of Programs Administrator are defined as the following: to manage program logistics, to facilitate the curriculum, and to account for students at all times. The group will also be accompanied by two English speaking guides.
Is there a safety briefing?
Yes. Upon convening in the gateway city before the international flight, a mandatory safety briefing and welcome meeting will take place. Topics covered during this meeting include introductions, logistics, safety, cultural need-to-know, and the code of conduct. Additionally, upon arrival in each new city, a safety briefing unique to that location will be provided by expert guides.
May adult family members join the student group?
No. Adult family members – including parents, grandparents, or older siblings – unfortunately may not join the seminar as space is limited and must be reserved for students. Family members, however, are welcome to accompany their children to gateway cities.
Transportation, Accommodations, and Logistics
What are the hotels like?
All hotels utilized boast 3 or 4 star ratings (on a 5 star scale) and are selected based upon safety, cleanliness, and location. Accommodations are additionally selected as their features, amenities, and services have been found to be highly-agreeable to U.S. guests.
May I request a roommate in advance?
Yes. If you are traveling with someone you know and want to share a room, please call our office so we may try to accommodate your request. Please note: no student will be allowed their own room nor will any student be allowed inside the hotel room of a student of the opposite sex.
Do I need any travel documentation when traveling?
Yes. All participants must have a current passport. For those going to China, a Chinese Tourist Visa is required. Tourist Visas are documents issued by the host country that allow foreign visitors to enter and depart the host country within a given amount of time for a given number of days. Tourist Visas are usually affixed or stamped into a traveler’s passport. Each student must obtain his or her own passport. The Chinese Visa application process, however, will be paid for and administered by Washington Workshops upon program enrollment. Failure to obtain a current passport or visa will result in removal from the program without tuition reimbursement.
Will I receive further information to help me prepare for my Seminar?
Yes. Once you are enrolled, we will mail you an enrollment package that will contain in-depth information about your detailed schedule, including information on hotels, meals, internal transportation, events, and site visits. Also included will be a Destination Guide: this booklet contains more important information about culture, language, money, weather, packing, history, shopping, and helpful hints. Once enrolled, you may also take part in our online community where you can access even more of our information as well as network with other students.