Preparing the trip

Preparing the trip
How can my child prepare himself/herself to the language trip abroad?
What should my child bring during his/her language trip abroad?
What travel documents (visa, passport…) will my child need during his stay abroad?
How much pocket money will my child need during his/her language program abroad?
When will we receive the information about his/her accommodation?

How can my child prepare himself/herself to the language trip abroad?
There are a few tips that will help your child feeling confident and secured abroad. Here are some ideas for him/her:
- Self-learning: try to learn usual expressions you may have to use in your daily life, do thematic wordlists (food, entertainment, clothes…).
- Try to read a book or see a movie in original version, with subtitles in the language too: this is a good training to improve your hearing skills and this will prepare you to your life abroad.
- Collect information about the country or area you will be living in: How is the climate there? What activities can be done? Are there places to visit? If you are doing a Tour, check the different places you will go to! These tips will leave you with many ideas of outside-of-the-classroom activities and help you to plan your trip so you won’t miss a visit!

What should my child bring during his/her language trip abroad?
Usually, students bring a small gift from their home country to their host family but it is not mandatory at all. It should not be a high-value gift but something typical from your country and culture.
If your child plans on taking electronic devices with him/her, you should check if he/she will need an adapter and buy one if he/she does.
A small, two-entry language dictionary may be very useful (must-have!), as well as a travel book of the city/area, with plan.
Participant must be aware that they are responsible for the handling of their own luggage. We advise you to travel with a light luggage.
The Nacel escorts (if any) will help the student if possible, but are not to be considered as “carriers”. For domestic transfer, especially by plane, most of the companies will only allow 20kgs of personal luggage. Extra luggage will be charged, and the participant will be responsible for those expenses. Don’t forget to write your name, address and phone number on each piece of luggage you may have. Take your most important belongings with you on board (hand luggage): necessary drugs if you are sick on board or have a medical treatment; acceptance letters, passport, visa papers, insurance certificate, details of your host family and/or of the person who is supposed to pick you up at arrival, emergency phone number for the program, electronic devices like camera and music devices, jewels if any, glasses etc. Please take into account that you are not allowed to travel with liquids in your hand luggage, do not bring bottles!

What travel documents (visa, passport…) will my child need during his stay abroad?
Generally speaking, he/she will need a valid passport. For many programs, a visa may be required too. Please inform you at the local Embassy of your destination country: tell them where he/she wants to go, how long, how many classes he/she will have there, and all relevant information requested.
Nacel won’t deal with visa issuance. If you need an Acceptance Letter, a Supporting Letter or a proof of payment, we will provide these documents under certain conditions (please consult us about this).

Students aged less than 18 years old (minor children) are kindly requested to book the assistance service of the major airlines and train companies for unacompanied minors, to avoid any difficulties during the travel.
NACEL INTERNATIONAL's programs never include the travel between home and host country. Parents of children aged less than 18 years old will be requested to sign a Parents Travel Release.

How much pocket money will my child need during his/her language program abroad?
The amount of pocket money your child will need depends on the program.
Generally speaking, children participating in a summer program need around 60 euros/week in Europe, and 90 euros/week in other countries, if they are accommodated on a full board basis.
During a long-term program, he/she may have to buy clothes, books, personal hygiene items… so he/she may need more pocket money from time to time.
Do not forget that during a homestay program, students will have to pay for their extra activities so they should plan these expenses.
Adults should bring more pocket money in order to be able to participate in activities, eat outside etc…
The amount needed really depends on your lifestyle and what you are planning to do during your trip (shopping or studying? eating out or sharing the family’s included meals?...)
We recommend that participants bring with them either an international credit card that allows them to withdraw money from a bank, or traveller’s cheques. This way, they won’t get out of money if they did not plan the right amount for their trip.

When will we receive the information about his/her accommodation?
3 to 10 days before departure we will send you information about your accommodation (name, address…). However, in case of an unexpected event (disease or cancellation of the host family for example), or in case of a late application (6 weeks before departure), this delay can’t be guaranteed.

Booking the trip!
Preparing the trip!
What to expect from the trip?
During the trip!