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Part 3 - Continued from "5 Good Independent Study Abroad Organizations" - By Beth Klemick
Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) is the longest standing organization of the group, founded in 1947 as the Council of Student Travel. Today, CIEE creates and administers programs that allow high school and university students and educators to study, volunteer, work and teach abroad. CIEE is distinct as it is designated by the US Department of State as a sponsor of Work & Travel, Trainee and Secondary Student programs. Their varied program offerings feature destinations such as Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, India, South Africa, Taiwan and much more.
AmeriSpan created in 1993 by and for lovers of language immersion, travel, and cultures. Starting as a two-person operation with a passion for Latin America, AmeriSpan has grown to be one of the leaders in educational travel and study abroad with over 25,000 past clients. AmeriSpan is noteworthy as every AmeriSpan staff member has studied and/or lived abroad for extended periods of time, they are the study abroad veterans. Individually and as a group, the staff has accumulated experiences and knowledge related to studying abroad. They have traveled to more than 65 countries - every continent except Antarctica - and speak 10 languages. Their program offerings are extensive, offered at more than 75 overseas locations with flexible and competitive prices.
In your research and as noted above, you may find that the program you want is offered by several organizations. Therefore, you should select the one with the best service and value, and with whom you feel the most comfortable. Here are some questions for you to ask when evaluating different study abroad providers:
* Are they reputable? (Ask for references, how many students they
send, years in business)
* Are your questions answered in a complete, friendly, and timely
manner?
* Do they demonstrate a good understanding of the location and the
finer details of the program?
* What do you get for your money? Do they provide extra services?
(excursions, cell phones, in-country transportation, extra activities,
other lodging options, etc.)
* Are the payment and refund policies flexible? (credit cards, late
registration, postponements, etc.)
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