Program
Are you planning to spend a short or long-term holiday in California?
Our partner in Santa Barbara is a specialist short and medium-term housing provider. It is recognized by the FIYTO (Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations) for the quality of its services. We offer a wide range of quality housing options in local families.
All our families are carefully selected, with attention given to the safety of the neighbourhoods, proximity to public transportation and friendliness of the host family.
This accommodation option allows the student to discover the region as a tourist living with a local, or to find independent accommodation during an internship. Therefore this option is not to be confused with a language program in the sense that we do not guarantee daily contact between the host families and the participants in the program, who must be able to support themselves independently. Programs run from 1 to 24 weeks.
Destination
Imagine London, Sydney, or Buenos Aires: excellent food, shopping, and numerous cultural activities. Shrink those cities down by about 20 square kilometres, take out the traffic jams, the noise, the crowded street, but keep the pedestrianised streets, the public transport, and the grandiose architecture. Add in a bit of exceptional wine. Surround all that with beautiful mountains, valleys, and beaches. Voilà, the American Riviera.
Whatever your desires or your passions, you'll find what you're looking for in Santa Barbara. The city combines the cultural activities you'd expect of a bustling city, with sport in the untouched countryside, and traditional local cuisine loved by everyone.
If you love sport, you won't be disappointed: horse-riding, as well as wind and surf at your disposal. The art galleries and numerous cultural events will be sure to please even the most casual of tourists. The numerous shopping centres, restaurants, spas, and leisure activities are easily accessible, so that your stay is the best it can be.
The Families
Families can be situated in any of the districts of Santa Barbara.
This variety of locations allows students and tourists to discover other points of interest outside of the city.
Guarantees
All families have been visited by our local partner and fulfil strict welcoming criteria. They provide a warm comfortable environment for the students and tourists they house.
They are always in a safe area of the city, situated close to public transport and local amenities.
Emergency assistance is available 24/7.
Accommodation types
Several types are available:
- Standard single, with breakfast
Private furnished bedroom in a home of a family or individual, where the guest shares all facilities with the occupant(s). A self-served morning meal (coffee, tea or milk; bread or toast; jam, cream cheese, butter) is made available daily for the guest. - Double room, with breakfast
Two guests sharing a bedroom. Doubles are only available to two guests who know each other and are travelling together. The price listed is per person and only applies during the dates that two guests occupy the bedroom. If one guest leaves, then single rates will apply to the remaining guest. - Half-board
If you would prefer, it is possible to arrange breakfast and dinner to be taken at home. Dinner times will be decided to suit both you and the family.
You will also be allotted a space in the refrigerator and will be allowed to do light meal preparation in the kitchen such as making a salad or a sandwich. All other use of the kitchen must be discussed and arranged with the host.
Prices & Dates
Dates 2012
Accommodation is booked per week, on a 7 night basis (generally from Sunday to Sunday).
Demand is generally quite high during peak season (June - September); we advise book your program at least 4 weeks in advance.
Including all taxes and registration fees
Click here to enroll directly| Standard host family | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Double room, incl. breakfast | Single room, incl. breakfast | Single room, half-board | ||
| 1 week | $ 720 | $ 910 | $ 995 | ||
| 2 weeks | $ 990 | $ 1,190 | $ 1,365 | ||
| 3 weeks | $ 1,030 | $ 1,315 | $ 1,750 | ||
| 4 weeks | $ 1,230 | $ 1,540 | $ 1,890 | ||
| 12 weeks | $ 2,795 | $ 3,240 | $ 4,580 | ||
| Supplements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement under 18, (per month) | $ 100 | ||||
| Airport transfer (one way) | $ 125 | ||||
Prices include:
- All taxes and enrolment fees
- Accommodation with host family
- Board as requested: half, or breakfast
They do not include:
- Transport
- Optional transfers
- Possible insurance
- Possible visa fees
Practical Info
Trasnport
- Airport: Los Angeles (LAX)
- A transfer is possible from the airport for an additional fee. However a supplement is required in any case for unaccompanied students aged under 18 years.
If you wish, we can book a return journey to Los Angeles for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.
If you intend to book your own flights, please wait until we have confirmed availabilities and dates before you do so.
Visa Information
For EU residents:
- For visits of less than 90 days (12 weeks): a student visa is not necessary. You will simply need to fill out an online ESTA declaration (14$) to enter US territory.
- For visits of more than 90 days (12 weeks): you will need a visa and we will provide you with all necessary paperwork.
It is highly important that you familiarise yourself with all the documentation necessary for the acquisition of a visa in your home country before visiting your local US embassy.
http://www.london.usembassy.gov/ (United Kingdom)
http://germany.usembassy.gov/ (Germany)
http://thehague.usembassy.gov/ (The Netherlands)
http://denmark.usembassy.gov/ (Denmark)
http://sweden.usembassy.gov/ (Sweden)
http://www.usembassy.be (Belgium)
http://www.amb-usa.fr (France)
http://bern.usembassy.gov (Switzerland)
Canadian nationals do not need a visa.
