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Fieldtrips Chatboard

You can learn foreign languages in community colleges in US

by Lina

Aug 23

I am a teacher who houses language students. I've housed students from many different language schools. The one thing I've come to notice is that the students who attend community colleges in the US have better quality instruction. It may also be less expensive but I am unsure. This is just advice for foreign students who want to come to the US. An...See More

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Don't use Explorica

by Kim

Apr 17, 2010

My daughter's school used Explorica for a spring break foreign language trip to Spain and France in March 2010. The positives - my daughter describes the trip as 'awesome' and loved the tour guide. However, working with Explorica was a nightmare. We were initially going to use another company but the teacher planning the trip thought this company w...See MoreMy daughter's school used Explorica for a spring break foreign language trip to Spain and France in March 2010. The positives - my daughter describes the trip as 'awesome' and loved the tour guide. However, working with Explorica was a nightmare. We were initially going to use another company but the teacher planning the trip thought this company would provide better customer service. Far from it. Explorica has NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. First, less that 2 months after signing up, they 'strongly encouraged' us to change our requested tour because we hadn't registered for a guaranteed tour. When we changed to a tour with an itinerary that wasn't best for our group but was guaranteed to run , the public price of the new tour was less than the cost they were charging us. However, they said we weren't new customers so wouldn't give us the lower price. There were MANY issues with this company but the biggest was that they sold an itinerary with activities on day 2 but booked flights with a 6 hour layover that got our group to our destination at the end of day 2, meaning we missed the day 2 activities in Madrid (including the Prado museum). No cost adjustment or even an acknowledgement that they effectively charged us for a day of touring that we didn't receive. They said the tour guides were good at fitting in missed activities but, of course, that didn't happen. I know there were better flight options (I was checking) that should have been within their budget but they booked the cheapest possible flights. I e-mailed and then wrote letters of concern to our rep plus VPs and the President of Explorica and no one responded. Unless you're lucky enough to get a good tour guide (ours was changed 3 times - the last 2 wks before the trip), don't expect anything from this company. They do not value customer service at all. If you're already working with the company, book your own flights. Per their website, the flights are approx 35% of the tour fee. If you combine that with the airfare taxes & fees that they separately charge and the weekend surcharges, the amount available to buy your own flights should be more than enough for good flights with minimal connections plus transfers.

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canada On 5/04/17, canada wrote: > On 5/04/17, canada wrote: >> On 5/04/17, Jason Jason wrote: >>> On 5/04/17, Jason wrote: >>>> On 4/23/10, Sarah V wrote: >>>>> Hi Kim, >>>>> >>>>> We value all of our customers' feedback and strive to >>>>> make changes to enhance o...See MoreOn 5/04/17, canada wrote: > On 5/04/17, canada wrote: >> On 5/04/17, Jason Jason wrote: >>> On 5/04/17, Jason wrote: >>>> On 4/23/10, Sarah V wrote: >>>>> Hi Kim, >>>>> >>>>> We value all of our customers' feedback and strive to >>>>> make changes to enhance our educational travel >>>>> services as much as possible. Please feel free to >>>>> contact me to discuss your experience and how we can >>>>> help improve your relationship with Explorica. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> >>>>> Sarah V. >>>>> >>>>> 888.310.7120 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 4/17/10, Kim wrote: >>>>>> My daughter's school used Explorica for a spring >>>>>> break foreign language trip to Spain and France in >>>>>> March 2010. The positives - my daughter describes the >>>>>> trip as 'awesome' and loved the tour guide. However, >>>>>> working with Explorica was a nightmare. We were >>>>>> initially going to use another company but the >>>>>> teacher planning the trip thought this company would >>>>>> provide better customer service. Far from it. >>>>>> Explorica has NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. First, less that 2 >>>>>> months after signing up, they 'strongly encouraged' >>>>>> us to change our requested tour because we hadn't >>>>>> registered for a guaranteed tour. When we changed to >>>>>> a tour with an itinerary that wasn't best for our >>>>>> group but was guaranteed to run , the public price of >>>>>> the new tour was less than the cost they were >>>>>> charging us. However, they said we weren't new >>>>>> customers so wouldn't give us the lower price. There >>>>>> were MANY issues with this company but the biggest >>>>>> was that they sold an itinerary with activities on >>>>>> day 2 but booked flights with a 6 hour layover that >>>>>> got our group to our destination at the end of day 2, >>>>>> meaning we missed the day 2 activities in Madrid >>>>>> (including the Prado museum). No cost adjustment or >>>>>> even an acknowledgement that they effectively charged >>>>>> us for a day of touring that we didn't receive. They >>>>>> said the tour guides were good at fitting in missed >>>>>> activities but, of course, that didn't happen. I know >>>>>> there were better flight options (I was checking) >>>>>> that should have been within their budget but they >>>>>> booked the cheapest possible flights. I e-mailed and >>>>>> then wrote letters of concern to our rep plus VPs and >>>>>> the President of Explorica and no one responded. >>>>>> Unless you're lucky enough to get a good tour guide >>>>>> (ours was changed 3 times - the last 2 wks before the >>>>>> trip), don't expect anything from this company. They >>>>>> do not value customer service at all. If you're >>>>>> already working with the company, book your own >>>>>> flights. Per their website, the flights are approx >>>>>> 35&37; of the tour fee. If you combine that with the >>>>>> airfare taxes & fees that they separately charge and >>>>>> the weekend surcharges, the amount available to buy >>>>>> your own flights should be more than enough for good >>>>>> flights with minimal connections plus transfers.

May 4

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Sammer Explorica Tours seems like a ponsi Scheme! My kids School, planned a trip to one of our Provinces. The trip was paid for in full many months ago. Then out of the blue Explorica says we owe them 20&37; more! Then they call twice and don't leave a message. I ended up calling the school- they have not heard anything about this. My wife, ends up c...See More Explorica Tours seems like a ponsi Scheme! My kids School, planned a trip to one of our Provinces. The trip was paid for in full many months ago. Then out of the blue Explorica says we owe them 20&37; more! Then they call twice and don't leave a message. I ended up calling the school- they have not heard anything about this. My wife, ends up calling the company and they said it was for a "private tour". I ended up calling the School again and they still never heard anything about this. No private tour or no request for extra money. Despite the email from Explorica requesting money. Who runs a business like this??!!! Only scam artists in my mind. We are very worried about this trip now.

On 5/04/17, Jason Jason wrote: > On 5/04/17, Jason wrote: >> On 4/23/10, Sarah V wrote: >>> Hi Kim, >>> >>> We value all of our customers' feedback and strive to make >>> changes to enhance our educational travel services as much as >>> possible. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your >>> experience and how we can help improve your relationship with >>> Explorica. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Sarah V. >>> >>> 888.310.7120 >>> >>> >>> On 4/17/10, Kim wrote: >>>> My daughter's school used Explorica for a spring break >>>> foreign language trip to Spain and France in March 2010. >>>> The positives - my daughter describes the trip as 'awesome' >>>> and loved the tour guide. However, working with Explorica >>>> was a nightmare. We were initially going to use another >>>> company but the teacher planning the trip thought this >>>> company would provide better customer service. Far from >>>> it. Explorica has NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. First, less that 2 >>>> months after signing up, they 'strongly encouraged' us to >>>> change our requested tour because we hadn't registered for >>>> a guaranteed tour. When we changed to a tour with an >>>> itinerary that wasn't best for our group but was guaranteed >>>> to run , the public price of the new tour was less than the >>>> cost they were charging us. However, they said we weren't >>>> new customers so wouldn't give us the lower price. There >>>> were MANY issues with this company but the biggest was that >>>> they sold an itinerary with activities on day 2 but booked >>>> flights with a 6 hour layover that got our group to our >>>> destination at the end of day 2, meaning we missed the day >>>> 2 activities in Madrid (including the Prado museum). No >>>> cost adjustment or even an acknowledgement that they >>>> effectively charged us for a day of touring that we didn't >>>> receive. They said the tour guides were good at fitting in >>>> missed activities but, of course, that didn't happen. I >>>> know there were better flight options (I was checking) >>>> that should have been within their budget but they booked >>>> the cheapest possible flights. I e-mailed and then wrote >>>> letters of concern to our rep plus VPs and the President of >>>> Explorica and no one responded. Unless you're lucky enough >>>> to get a good tour guide (ours was changed 3 times - the >>>> last 2 wks before the trip), don't expect anything from >>>> this company. They do not value customer service at all. >>>> If you're already working with the company, book your own >>>> flights. Per their website, the flights are approx 35&37; of >>>> the tour fee. If you combine that with the airfare taxes & >>>> fees that they separately charge and the weekend >>>> surcharges, the amount available to buy your own flights >>>> should be more than enough for good flights with minimal >>>> connections plus transfers.

May 4

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EF Language School doesn't attract criticism for nothing

by jack j.

Mar 10, 2011

If you’re reading this review, it means that you’re considering spending some time abroad to learn a foreign language. I personally spent nine months in two different EF schools. I will get straight to the point: don’t choose EF. It’s a rip-off.

I’m not used to criticize, but EF kind of deserves it. Read the following if you wan...See MoreIf you’re reading this review, it means that you’re considering spending some time abroad to learn a foreign language. I personally spent nine months in two different EF schools. I will get straight to the point: don’t choose EF. It’s a rip-off.

I’m not used to criticize, but EF kind of deserves it. Read the following if you want to be convinced.

Sure, they present well, their Internet site looks professional. Don’t be deceived. They are bad; for two main reasons: it’s one of the most expensive language schools, and, most important, you hardly learn.

Why? Well, I give you some examples of their way of teaching. Vocabulary: you would spend one whole hour drawing something reminding you a word of the vocab list. The next hour, you would do the same for another word. Then, they would give you the definition of one word (that you’ve never seen before), and you have to guess it. Three hours, three words. Thanks, EF. Ok, that’s some of the worst examples. But overall, the lessons aren’t way more brilliant. You don’t feel like you learn.

You’d tell me, it’s only one teacher in one EF. Well, I went to EF Boston and EF Brisbane; I met some people transferring from EF Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sydney, Perth… Result: EF is bad, EF is bad, EF is bad. Really, I’m not exaggerating.

Another thing is the cost of the activities offered by EF: three days to NYC, 400$. You go by yourself, 150$; all included. Surfing? EF, 200$, yourself, 80$. I’m not going further, you see the point. They love your money. Why didn’t I quit then? Yep, that’s what I wanted. And they would let you go; but not with your money. I paid like 6500$ for three months. They “made an exception” for me: instead of refunding me nothing, as it’s written in their contract, they were pleased to get me 2700$ back. I would give them only 3800$. Lovely.

Last point: I know some fellows who just didn’t improve at all. They came and left with the same level. We’ve got to teach English ourselves. EF’s contribution’s insignificant.

The only positive thing is that I got to know friends from all over the world. But for that, there are other languages schools, which are cheaper, and they would actually have to be gifted to do worse than EF.

I could’ve added more but it’s already too long. I got to understand why EF attracts so much criticism. Now you’re warned. Choose carefully!

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beverl3y swalwell On 1/21/15, Kevin N Gavit wrote: > I wish I would have read this before I booked. I have been > on a trip/vacation with EF back when I was in High school. > I was hoping to have the same experience with the Language > school in Paris. That is not the case. > The post from Jack J is 100&37; accurate. Everything was > great unti...See MoreOn 1/21/15, Kevin N Gavit wrote: > I wish I would have read this before I booked. I have been > on a trip/vacation with EF back when I was in High school. > I was hoping to have the same experience with the Language > school in Paris. That is not the case. > The post from Jack J is 100&37; accurate. Everything was > great until I got here. I was lied to about the housing, I > was promised by a staff member to be close to the school > inside the city of Paris. That did not happen, I was > placed with a family 35 minutes by metro away from the > school and outside of the city. I was even told that > because I would be starting in January, that I would have > more options available to me. However once I get here they > tell me that 200 other students arrive the same day and > that I should be happy with where they placed me. I was > also promised a free tablet (iPad) and that I would receive > it once I arrived, however once I got here they told me > that that offer was not available to me. > > All three of the staff members in the Boston office have > lied to me time and time again. > > DO NOT use EF for a language school. There are many better > options available. > On 3/10/11, jack j. wrote: >> If you’re reading this review, it means that you’re >> considering spending some time abroad to learn a foreign >> language. I personally spent nine months in two different >> EF schools. I will get straight to the point: don’t choose >> EF. It’s a rip-off. >> >> I’m not used to criticize, but EF kind of deserves it. > Read >> the following if you want to be convinced. >> >> Sure, they present well, their Internet site looks >> professional. Don’t be deceived. They are bad; for two > main >> reasons: it’s one of the most expensive language schools, >> and, most important, you hardly learn. >> >> Why? Well, I give you some examples of their way of >> teaching. Vocabulary: you would spend one whole hour >> drawing something reminding you a word of the vocab list. >> The next hour, you would do the same for another word. >> Then, they would give you the definition of one word (that >> you’ve never seen before), and you have to guess it. Three >> hours, three words. Thanks, EF. Ok, that’s some of the >> worst examples. But overall, the lessons aren’t way more >> brilliant. You don’t feel like you learn. >> >> You’d tell me, it’s only one teacher in one EF. Well, I >> went to EF Boston and EF Brisbane; I met some people >> transferring from EF Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sydney, > Perth… >> Result: EF is bad, EF is bad, EF is bad. Really, I’m not >> exaggerating. >> >> Another thing is the cost of the activities offered by EF: >> three days to NYC, 400$. You go by yourself, 150$; all >> included. Surfing? EF, 200$, yourself, 80$. I’m not going >> further, you see the point. They love your money. Why >> didn’t I quit then? Yep, that’s what I wanted. And they >> would let you go; but not with your money. I paid like >> 6500$ for three months. They “made an exception” for me: >> instead of refunding me nothing, as it’s written in their >> contract, they were pleased to get me 2700$ back. I would >> give them only 3800$. Lovely. >> >> Last point: I know some fellows who just didn’t improve at >> all. They came and left with the same level. We’ve got to >> teach English ourselves. EF’s contribution’s > insignificant. >> >> The only positive thing is that I got to know friends from >> all over the world. But for that, there are other > languages >> schools, which are cheaper, and they would actually have > to >> be gifted to do worse than EF. >> >> I could’ve added more but it’s already too long. I got to >> understand why EF attracts so much criticism. Now you’re >> warned. Choose carefully!

Aug 19, 2015

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Host On 3/10/11, jack j. wrote: > If you’re reading this review, it means that you’re > considering spending some time abroad to learn a foreign > language. I personally spent nine months in two different > EF schools. I will get straight to the point: don’t choose > EF. It’s a rip-off. > > I’m not used to criticize, but E...See MoreOn 3/10/11, jack j. wrote: > If you’re reading this review, it means that you’re > considering spending some time abroad to learn a foreign > language. I personally spent nine months in two different > EF schools. I will get straight to the point: don’t choose > EF. It’s a rip-off. > > I’m not used to criticize, but EF kind of deserves it. Read > the following if you want to be convinced. > > Sure, they present well, their Internet site looks > professional. Don’t be deceived. They are bad; for two main > reasons: it’s one of the most expensive language schools, > and, most important, you hardly learn. > > Why? Well, I give you some examples of their way of > teaching. Vocabulary: you would spend one whole hour > drawing something reminding you a word of the vocab list. > The next hour, you would do the same for another word. > Then, they would give you the definition of one word (that > you’ve never seen before), and you have to guess it. Three > hours, three words. Thanks, EF. Ok, that’s some of the > worst examples. But overall, the lessons aren’t way more > brilliant. You don’t feel like you learn. > > You’d tell me, it’s only one teacher in one EF. Well, I > went to EF Boston and EF Brisbane; I met some people > transferring from EF Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sydney, Perth… > Result: EF is bad, EF is bad, EF is bad. Really, I’m not > exaggerating. > > Another thing is the cost of the activities offered by EF: > three days to NYC, 400$. You go by yourself, 150$; all > included. Surfing? EF, 200$, yourself, 80$. I’m not going > further, you see the point. They love your money. Why > didn’t I quit then? Yep, that’s what I wanted. And they > would let you go; but not with your money. I paid like > 6500$ for three months. They “made an exception” for me: > instead of refunding me nothing, as it’s written in their > contract, they were pleased to get me 2700$ back. I would > give them only 3800$. Lovely. > > Last point: I know some fellows who just didn’t improve at > all. They came and left with the same level. We’ve got to > teach English ourselves. EF’s contribution’s insignificant. > > The only positive thing is that I got to know friends from > all over the world. But for that, there are other languages > schools, which are cheaper, and they would actually have to > be gifted to do worse than EF. > > I could’ve added more but it’s already too long. I got to > understand why EF attracts so much criticism. Now you’re > warned. Choose carefully!

Jan 23

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FREE Grant Information for School Field Trips

by Adrienne Smith

Oct 8, 2008

I have spent significant time researching and gathering information about grants that provide financing for various educational and culturally enriching activities such as field trips, class projects, and assemblies. If you want a copy of the list, email me, and I will send it to you.

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Randy Lawson On 4/07/13, lol wrote: > On 5/31/12, Mary wrote: >> On 10/08/08, Adrienne Smith wrote: >>> I have spent significant time researching and gathering >>> information about grants that provide financing for >>> various educational and culturally enriching activities >>> such as field trips, class projects, a...See More

Sep 3, 2014

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hildagirl1109@yahoo.com On 10/08/08, Adrienne Smith wrote:

> I have spent significant time researching and gathering

> information about grants that provide financing for

> various educational and culturally enriching activities

> such as field trips, class projects, and assemblies. If

> you want a copy of th...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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Explorica Fraud

by Ms. Z

Nov 25, 2014

####EXPLORICA's business ethics are questionable and a scam.####

They will try to make you pay for their travel insurance. It states refund of 75&37; plus insurance fee of $168. If they reschedule the trip over a year away and you cancel a $4000 trip without insurance at 140 days you pay $615 but with insurance (75&37; of $4000) yo...See More

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Karen On 11/25/14, Ms. Z wrote: > ####EXPLORICA's business ethics are questionable and a > scam.#### > > They will try to make you pay for their travel insurance. > It states refund of 75&37; plus insurance fee of $168. If > they reschedule the trip over a year away and you cancel > a $4000 trip without insurance at 140 days you ...See More

Apr 20, 2016

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Karen This is exactly what is happening to me right now. Paid for trip in full, they changed the dates. They are saying our teacher requested dates to be changed which is a lie. $4000 paid and they are saying my refund will be $700!!! They changed the terms of the trip identical to your description last week and enrolled me in the new trip...that I didn'...See MoreThis is exactly what is happening to me right now. Paid for trip in full, they changed the dates. They are saying our teacher requested dates to be changed which is a lie. $4000 paid and they are saying my refund will be $700!!! They changed the terms of the trip identical to your description last week and enrolled me in the new trip...that I didn't agree to and I called to cancel and have gotten the complete run around. This is absurd!

Did you ever get your full refund?

On 11/25/14, Ms. Z wrote: > ####EXPLORICA's business ethics are questionable and a > scam.#### > > They will try to make you pay for their travel insurance. > It states refund of 75&37; plus insurance fee of $168. If > they reschedule the trip over a year away and you cancel > a $4000 trip without insurance at 140 days you pay $615 > but with insurance (75&37; of $4000) you pay $1000.....think > about that!!!!!! SCAM!!!!! > > They lure teachers into the program by offering a free > trip, and paying them money for registering students. > But when it all falls apart your student and their > families will be calling the principal, Better Business > and just about everyone because they just got ripped > off!!!!!!! > > Below is what happened to me....and yes I am a teacher! > > ************************************* > EXPLORICA CHANGED THE TRIP DATE TO MARCH 2016. I spoke > and emailed your trip leader on Nov. 18, 2014 and he told > me of Explorica's trip changes. > > *****FIRST change: merged unknown groups (not enough > participants). > *****SECOND change: Non-peer stranger danger room sharing > (critical legal concern for a minor child). > *****THIRD change: UNREASONABLE TRIP DATE RESCHEDULE OF A > YEAR AND A HALF AWAY. > > My daughter is a senior at Lane Tech H.S. graduating and > going to an out of state college, Explorica’s trip > reschedule of over a year and a half away is > unreasonable. She will not be in the same state, school > or in contact with the trip leader by the rescheduled > date. > > The Explorica’s cancellation terms which were unsigned > online by me in 2014, the improper "minor" room > arrangements, and the unreasonable Explorica CUBA trip > re-schedule to a year and a half later (March of 2016) is > a consumer trap executed by Explorica. > > DONT GET INVOLVED WITH EXPLORICA>>>>>>THINK OF THE UPSET > AND LOSS YOUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WILL > SUFFER>>>>>>>THINK OF THE DAMAGE TO YOUR TEACHING > REPUTATION!!!!!!! > >

Apr 20, 2016

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Spanish class field trips

by Srta. Cooper

Aug 6, 2014

I teach in the DMV metropolitan area and I need help with finding trips for my high school students in my Spanish class to go to. I am looking for something engaging. It is rather difficult to get older kids excited about Spanish.

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roxi On 8/06/14, Srta. Cooper wrote: > I teach in the DMV metropolitan area and I need help with > finding trips for my high school students in my Spanish class > to go to. I am looking for something engaging. It is rather > difficult to get older kids excited about Spanish.

justo lamas concert

Jan 29, 2016

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