World Class Programs

Classes & Activites

• Q: What size are the groups and classes, and what is the staff to student ratio?

  A: We keep class sizes balanced to promote more individualistic learning. The group sizes are dependent on many factors, so they could change from program to program. Our staff to student ratio is 1:6For questions about the current status of our program sizes, please contact us through the question box.
• Q: Who will be teaching the classes?

  A: Most classes will be taught by our World Class Programs staff, however, there are some cases where local instructors may assist our classes to provide cultural insight to certain lessons. Our trusted staff have been hand-selected to ensure they are trusted,have experience working with high school aged students, and can speak the host language.
• Q: Will my language proficiency improve?

  A: Yes. The best way to learn a new language is by surrounding yourself with it. All of our programs are designed to give students from any language background (from no knowledge to fluent speaker) a rich, cultural, and linguistic experience to expand upon what they previously know..

• Q: Are the classes mandatory? What is the typical workload?

  A: Yes. All of our programs are designed around our cultural experiences. The best way for students to get full value out of these cultural experiences is through their coursework. Each student is required to select two courses. One course will be their “major” course, and the other one will be their “minor” course. Our courses are NOT typical and will never be taught in a typical classroom. Our courses are designed to be the most culturally enriching, and most fun part of our trips.
• Q: Is there homework?

  A: There is no homework in a traditional sense, though some learning may take place outside of the designated class time. For example, on our Japan Program, our Manga and Anime course may attend an art exhibition by a prominent manga artist in the evening, in addition to their normal “coursework” during the day.
• Q: What will a typical day be like?

  A: Weekdays: Students will start off their weekday mornings at 9am with our morning classes that run until noon. Afternoons have the flexibility for your choice of either attending your elective class, or several culturally significant recreational activities. Students spend their evenings by choosing from a diverse set of activities including: concerts and performances, culturally rich museums, beach trips, shopping, athletics, outdoor cafés, occasional group dance parties, excursions to city-specific local sites, and many exciting others. For more specific information about each summer program, we encourage you to view the page of the specific program you are interested in attending.

  Weekends: In most of our programs, the weekends are reserved for students to go on regional day trips and excursions. Although these day trips are fun, and students say they are the most memorable parts of their trip, they are still mandatory for all students. No student may elect to stay behind in the residence because it is the most culturally enriching part of the program. This rule is designed for their safety while abroad because they must travel in groups while they are abroad. For more specific information about each summer program and their unique weekend excursions, we encourage you to view the page of the specific program you are interested in attending.

Residence & Housing

• Q: What are the residences like? Are there roommates?

  A: All student residences are comfortable, cozy, and clean. They also meet all World Class Programs’ safety requirements, as detailed in our safety video. In general, the residences are city apartments in which students will typically have one roommate who is another World Class Programs student. Apartments are divided between boys and girls apartments. If a student is traveling on a World Class Program trip with a friend, provided they are of the same gender, they will be able to request to be roommates. Otherwise, roommates are assigned based on a personality questionnaire.

Supervision

• Q: How safe are the World Class summer programs?

  A: The safety of the students is World Class Programs’ biggest concern. Our team has crafted a list of Safety Rules and Guidelines that ensure each student is safe while on one of our trips. All of the information about these rules and guidelines are explained in more detail in the Program Application and Enrollment Contract. These rules are designed for the safety of the students, so we expect that they are followed throughout the duration of the program. In addition, our staff will supervise students throughout most of their activities, and will be available 24 hours a day if needed. In order to contact a staff member with an issue, you just need to contact the staff cell phone number provided during the trip. Staff are always available to provide extra safety measures such as walking students home if necessary, accompany students to doctor visits if needed, or help if any other general need is required. However, the Safety Rules and Guidelines are the first measure of safety when abroad because the staff will not be able to personally supervise every student 24/7.
• Q: What happens if I break the safety rules?

  A:World Class Programs reserves the right to send you home without a refund if you put yourself or others in danger by breaking any of our safety rules. This is because breaking safety rules means that you have put yourself in a seriously dangerous situation.