LANGUAGE AND
CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
Russian and East European Partnerships, Inc. (REEP) language and cultural immersion programs are designed for persons interested in language acquisition, sustainment and enhancement. Additionally, while on an immersion you have the unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the culture of the country in which you are studying.
REEP's many years of experience with immersion programs has shown the tremendous
value of in-country language study. Studying in-country presents students
with continuous active language practice and direct exposure to daily life.
Upon completion of a four week program, the language proficiency of our students
has consistently shown vast improvement.
COURSE INFORMATION
Program of Instruction
The Program of Instruction focuses on the four basic skills of language (reading, speaking, listening and writing) and everyday living in-country. You will be exposed to the living language as it is spoken right now. Our course is about much more than language acquisition, it is about the way of life of the country in which you are studying.
First Day Assessment
You will be evaluated and placed at the beginner, intermediate or advanced level. It is important to understand that you may be in class with students with different language abilities. All students benefit from this as the more accomplished linguists have an opportunity to practice through helping fellow students. The less accomplished student benefits from an increased challenge, and peer interaction. Of course, if language abilities among students are too diversified, there will be groupings according to ability.
COURSE OPERATION
The basis of our operation in each country is to establish a partnership
with a local national or expatriate American living in the country.
The local partner then performs the following tasks:
Instructors
These are formally trained university instructors who have extensive experience in the instruction of language to foreigners. They know their business. Please be courteous to them and their position.
Expectations of Program
The United States government standardized tests show consistent measurable
improvement in listening, speaking, reading, and writing upon completion of
our course. Additionally, most students leave with a professionally useful
understanding of the people and culture of the country in which they have
studied.
PREPARE FOR DEPARTURE
Passport Requirements
You will, of course, need a current tourist passport (the blue one) with an expiration date not less than six months prior to your depature date.
Climate Expectations
Please visit the following website for climate information pertinent to
the country in which you will be studying:
www.worldclimate.com
Dress Code
The best words to describe proper attire while on an immersion are conservative
and casual. Uniforms are not required unless stipulated by your command.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Don't over pack. Follow the packing list.
PASSPORT AND AIRLINE TICKET
VISA (WHERE APPLICABLE)
Photocopy of your passport and visa (where applicable), kept separately
Power converter (220 volts, 50 Hertz)
Battery operated alarm clock
Good walking shoes
Small pocket flashlight
Swiss Army knife
Casual wear (5 sets minimum)
Nail cutters
Umbrella
Eye drops (for allergies if you have any)
Underwear (7 sets)
Robe
Socks (7 pair)
Slippers
Tylenol
Stomach medicine (depending on how you react when travelling)
Throat lozenges
"Dress Up" clothes (1 set minimum)
Razor
Soap
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Reading material per your custom
Pocket bilingual dictionary
Writing materials
Money ($150.00 per week recommended)
Lockable footlocker, box, or suitcase
Sleepwear
Gift for host (where applicable)
A warm sweater or coat as season dictates
A good rain coat with hood
Sportswear and sports equipment per your custom
Chapstick
Index cards for classroom use
Items to Leave Behind
Food, canned or otherwise
Expensive jewelry
Drugs (don't even think about it)
Stereo equipment/TVs, boom-boxes
Irreplaceable mementos
Pets (don't laugh, some people will take Rover anywhere)
Weapons of any kind
Too many clothes
ARRIVAL IN-COUNTRY
Customs
When you arrive in-country you must proceed through passport control, retrieve your luggage, and finally pass through customs. Speak English and be courteous with the customs officials. Clearing customs is not a good time to practice your target language.
AFTER LEAVING CUSTOMS, A REEP REPRESENTATIVE HOLDING A SIGN WITH EITHER THE WORD "REEP" OR THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL WILL MEET YOU IN THE ARRIVAL AREA.
When the entire group has gathered, you will be transported to your lodgings.
Transportation will be done either by car or bus depending on the group size.
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
You will be staying in either a private home, a guest house or a hotel. Meals and laundry facilities will vary depending on your type of accommodation.
If you are to be accommodated in a private home you will receive your host assignment details prior to departure. A private room is defined as a room which only you occupy. The morning and evening meals are provided daily for the duration of your stay. Meals are "per local custom". An expense check will be provided for your third meal expenses and other incidental expenses. For example, space in refrigerators will be made availabe to you for bottled water storage, but you must provide your own bottled water. Please use your expense check funds for this purpose. Laundry can be done in the home, but you are expected to provide your own soap. This soap can be purchased with your expense check funds once you are in country.
Please note that the host family members are NOT servants and will not be treated as such. The best way to establish rapport with your host is to act as another adult member of the household.
A guest house is similar to an American bed and breakfast. If you
stay in an hotel you may share a double room with another student from your
group. While staying in either a guest house or an hotel, usually your
breakfast will be eaten in the dining room with the other guests. An
expense check provided to you will cover your other two daily meals.
Please note that alcoholic beverages are never included in the meal package.
Typically laundry services are available for those staying in guest houses
or hotels for a reasonable fee.
HEALTH
Illness
Please contact your POC in-country and your Senior Ranking Officer before
seeking medical
attention.
NOTE: All costs of in-country medical care are ultimately the responsibility of the individual travelling.
REEP understands that occasionally a student cannot afford to pay the medical costs incurred while overseas. Should this be the case, REEP will pay these costs, BUT the student will be responsible for reimbursing REEP for the full amount within 14 days after the end of the program.
REEP will not wait for claims to be processed by insurance companies. This policy applies to all government and civilian personnel.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL A STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN A REEP PROGRAM GO WITHOUT NEEDED MEDICAL CARE.
Emergencies
If you have a major illness or injury -- we will assist you in working with the US Embassy.
Immunization Requirements
All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococca) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
We have found that recommendations vary. REEP defers to your unit dispensary.
Record all vaccinations on an International Health Certificate, which is available from your physician or government health department.
Work-out Facilities
Ask your local partner for locations. Note that this may be a private
club. The cost is not included in your program.
POINTS OF CONTACT
You will be provided with a complete list of important names, phone numbers
and addresses prior to departure.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Local Transportation
Where applicable you will be provided with a local transporation pass when you arrive in-country.
Email access
There are internet cafes. Ask your instructor or host for the one nearest you. Do not expect to have the same amount of internet access you have at home or work.
Long Distance Telephone Calls
If you are staying with a host family and you use their phone you must immediately pay for the call. Long distance and local calling can be very expensive relative to US rates. Ideally, you should do your calling from public phones whenever possible. Using a calling card at a pay phone is the simplest way to pay for your long distance calls. Contact your long distance provider before you leave for the access number to their service when calling from the country in which you will be studying.
Money
Change money only at hotels or banks. The most flexible denominations for exchange are new USD 20.00 &100.00 bills. Old or worn money may not be accepted. The best way to calculate the exchange is to visit the following website: http://quote.yahoo.com/m3?u. It is also possible to use credit cards and banking machines.
Document Safety
Keep a copy of your passport and visa (where applicable) separately somewhere
in your luggage. This will help a great deal in the event of a lost passport
replacement. Take your military ID card with you as a second form of
identification in the event your passport is lost, or you are in a country
with US Military facilities you might utilize. For contacting your
friends in the course, please carry only an extract from the host list while
on the street or out in public. Also, do not carry your airline tickets
around with you.
PARTING THOUGHTS
Be safe. Work hard. Have fun.
IMMERSION INFORMATION
This page is continually updated. If one month prior to departure
for an immersion program you do not see a link for your language and
country, please contact our immersion office at immersion@usereep.com. For
more information on the country in which you will be studying, you may also
wish to visit www.lonelyplanet.com.
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