Preparation Materials

PRE-TRAVEL PREPARATION

Your students' pre-travel preparation is an essential part of the learning process, as well as a great way to create a positive group dynamic and have some fun looking forward to the adventure ahead!

The more prepared students are for all levels of the experience, the more confident and open-minded they will be in their encounter with the new culture.

Please review the Teacher's Travel Guide that VIE will send you in the fall. In the appendix you will find some ideas and materials to help you prepare the students and create enthusiasm for their upcoming trip.

Pre-departure preparation meetings serve several functions:

to become better acquainted with students you don't already know
to begin building a group spirit
to explain some of the fundamentals of traveling
to set rules of expected behavior
to expose participants to cultural differences

SUGGESTED TRAVEL MEETINGS

ORIENTATION MEETING:

travel arrangements
itinerary costs
rules & standards of conduct
budget
payment & cancellation policy
fundraising

See our Sample Agenda.

FAMILY STAY

Even though the Family Stay often ends up as one of the travelers' favorite parts of their trip, it is also usually the part of the program that both students and parents worry about most before they leave. Students are nervous about having to use their French and parents are concerned about the family who will host their child. Therefore it is a good idea to have a meeting which focuses on the Family Stay.

Some points to emphasize about the Family Stay:

Students are responsible for the success of the Family Stay.
Facing their fears helps them realize what they are truly capable of.
Students need to contact someone in France (the teacher or the VIE Paris office) immediately if they feel there is a problem with their Family Stay.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO (1-2 meetings)

In December for spring groups and by March for summer groups, your students will have receive their Student Handbooks from VIE. The Student Handbook has a lot of cultural information as well as practical travel tips. It is a good idea to go over all the information in the handbooks as a group in order to answer any questions students may have. You may also want to discuss:

History and geography of France along with different regions you will visit
French culture and differences
Traveling as a group
Travel safety and wisely

POST TRIP CELEBRATION

Now that your group has returned home, it's time to celebrate what you have experienced!

Have everyone bring extra copies of their photos to share. If students or chaperons brought digital cameras to France, have a few students prepare a slide show or video from the photos. Copies can be easily made for a great souvenir of the trip.