We have been successfully organizing summer study abroad programs since 1998. During this time we have enabled thousands of students to take part in life enriching and life changing experiences in Europe and beyond. Our goals are to provide high school students with an unforgettable summer language learning experience, and along the way to provide an insight into the French and Spanish cultures. I
n our group programs we achieve this main goal by providing four week programs with 4 key elements. Firstly, a two week program of study in a safe and comfortable location, such as Nice in France or Salamanca in Spain. During this time students live in a dorm environment and take part in daily classes. The second element is a program of cultural activities designed to enhance their language learning during their time in the program town. Thirdly, our students spend one week of total and individual immersion with a volunteer family, living the life of a French or Spanish teen. This is often cited as the most beneficial part of the program in terms of improving their level in the target language. Finally, the four week trip is rounded out with a 4 day stay in either Barcelona or Paris. This sightseeing highlight brings to an end a truly life changing experience for our students, many of whom report back that their summer with ECI was the best of their lives. For our more independently minded students we provide individual immersion programs where students live with a volunteer family in the French Alps or the Costa del Sol for up to 6 weeks in the summer. This total immersion concept is a very popular choice.
