Secondary School Abroad - Fluency at a Young Age

The EIL Secondary School Abroad programme has several benefits:

• Proven to guarantee excellent exam results
• Provides full immersion that allows people to become fluent at a young age
• Encourages independence in young people
• Provides insurance, travel assistance and 24 hour emergency support

An extended stay in a secondary school abroad is an ideal opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language at a young age. This programme is particularly popular with Transition Year students. A stay can be as short as 2 months or as long as the school year.

The Programme

This programme is open to students between 15 and 19 years, who are interested in attending an Italian high school for 2, 3, 4 or 5 months. Participants should have studied Italian in an Irish school for a minimum of two years. This programme commences each September.

Classes

Classes take place for five hours each morning from Monday to Friday. Afternoons are free. School placements are made by the school principal in accordance with the interests/academic performance of the participants. Students may choose from the following subjects but please note that subject choices vary between schools.

• Foreign Languages
• Sciences
• Business/Economics
• Classical High School (includes Latin, Greek, History, Philosophy, Literature)

Host Family Placements

Participants will live with a carefully selected local family while attending school. Separate from the family a local representative will be available to provide them with any support or assistance they may need during their stay and EIL also maintains a full time office in Italy. This ongoing assistance and support will cover issues such as relations with the host family, progress at school and homesickness. Every effort is made to place participants within walking distance of their school. The cost of any public transport will be the responsibility of the participant. All participants are required to comply with school rules, as far as the timetables, school attendance and behaviour are concerned.

Costs for Sept 2007 / June 2008

What is included: transfers on arrival and departure, enrolment at school, all meals, full board accommodation with a carefully selected local family and support and assistance from an EIL local representative. Additional support is also available from the national EIL office and the sending office-EIL Ireland.

What is not included: International travel, domestic travel, pocket money and text books (in many cases these will be on free loan from the school).

Insurance

For more information please click on CareMed image

No Driving

Because of the obvious dangers – as well as questions of insurance and liability – purchasing or driving a car, or any other motor vehicle, riding in non-commercial planes or hitch-hiking while participating in this programme are prohibited.

Early Termination of the Programme

E.I.L. reserves the right to send home any student whose health requires this action or whose conduct is considered improper or offensive to the host family, community or school. Such conduct includes drug use, unacceptable sexual behaviour, excessive drinking, violation of law or failure in schoolwork. In the event the student is returned home, either alone or accompanied, parents or guardians are responsible for all expenses above those covered by the fee. Refunds are not available for participants whose programmes terminate prematurely.

Cancellation Fees

• A minimum of 25% of programme fee is required for any cancellations after the full application form has been received.
• 50% of the full fee if notified more than 4 weeks in advance.
• 100% if notified less than 4 weeks in advance or after the programme starts.

Deadlines

February applicants: 12 November 2007

Application to include

• EIL application form and Italian High School application form
• An essay on why you would like to travel on the programme
• A “Dear Family” letter in Italian
• Two smiling passport photos and family/friend photos
• 4 most recent School Reports
• A deposit of 25% of the programme fee

Please send applications to:

EIL-Intercultural Learning
1 Empress Place
Summerhill North Cork
Tel: 021 4551535
Fax: 021 4551587
Email: info@eilireland.org