Choosing the best school trip destination and program for a teenager naturally comes with a lot of questions. Here are a few of the questions we are asked all the time. We're here to answer all your queries and set your mind at ease, so if you don't see your question here, send us an email, we'd love to talk to you.
Does EduStride work only with schools?
Our standard programs and services are devised with school administrators in mind. In common situations, school administrators act as mediators between EduStride and parents to help us customize the best services for a more or less homogeneous group. However, there are times when individual students show interest because their friends or relatives have signed up or because their parents know other parents at a school we've partnered with or because they know us personally as a team. We are open to these or other similar situations, and would be happy to have these students travel with us.
What age group do EduStride trips target?
Our staple school trips target teens aged 14-18 years old.
What does the insurance cover?
Participants are medically covered wherever they are on foreign soil.
Could more than one school group take part in one trip?
Yes. One trip could bring together groups from a number of schools. We find that such diversity brings optimal benefit to participants.
Can each school send an accompanying teacher?
Each school should send an accompanying teacher. For each group of 15 students, a school gets to send 1 teacher free of charge (except for visa and airline ticket fee).
Will teens be accompanied at all times?
Yes. Teens are always accompanied by their school teacher or group leader, an EduStride officer, and a guide.
Where do participating students sleep?
We make sure students stay in students' residences or dorms that are safe and comfortable. Rooms are distributed based on gender and schools.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Parents get to fill a form to indicate any such restrictions or allergies so that we arrange for accommodations based on their instructions.
Will students get certificates for the classes they attend?
All language classes are conducted by certified institutions that offer completion certificates.
How is payment conducted?
The payment process is devised based on an agreement between the school administration and the parents following a specific timeline. Below is our tested timeline:
- 1st payment as early as January and no later than March
- 2nd payment no later than May
- 3rd payment in June
What preparations are needed?
Preparations also follow a timeline:
- December (January at the latest): become familiar with the program and make a decision to sign up; we're ready to meet up with parents to directly answer all their questions.
- March: prepare all required documents for visa application
- May: process visa center visit
- June: receive visas
- July: meet with parents to get dietary and medical restrictions and give packing and other important tips
Do participants get a refund if they change their mind and decide against traveling?
If participants change their minds after the first payment, the sum is refunded based on conditions of airline ticket. Most airline tickets we book are refundable and cancellation only incurs a minor fee depending on the time of cancellation.
If participants opt out after the second payment, the sum is refunded except for visa fee and a set service charge fee.
If participants decide against traveling after the June deadline when all reservations and bookings are confirmed, no money (except airline ticket price above mentioned) is refunded.
What happens if students don't receive an entry visa?
We work hard and meticulously to make sure that each and every student has all the right documents and meets all the needed conditions for visa application. Rarely have students been denied a visa. However, when this unfortunately happens, we negotiate the next course of action with parents and school administrators. If time allows, we assist parents / schools in applying a second time. If not, depending on how early in the process this happens, we arrange for a refund of airline ticket price and other payments if applicable, as described in our policy.
Do you ever change trip itineraries?
We do only when we have to. Itineraries and dates are usually finalized after final booking is made in May. Any change after that is made in view of participants' best interest and safety. In case of involuntary cancellation, we offer a replacement activity or destination.
Is there customer service?
Of course! We are constantly available to answer your questions 24/7/365 on Whatsapp, email, and phone.
Publicity Material
EduStride reserves the right to use all photos and videos of participants for its publicity purposes.