What's Included

API staff members happily guide students through the administrative processes of the pre-departure phase of their study abroad or international experience. Students and their families may contact API staff as often as needed with questions about academics, on-site logistics, visa procedures, housing, classes and anything else. API staff members, in turn, are frequently in touch with students regarding program updates, and essential travel tips and recommendations for having a successful experience abroad.

All API students receive orientation information to help them prepare for their study abroad session. API students have access to a unique online service, the API Toolbox, which includes orientation materials, diagnostic exams, and language reviews. The Toolbox includes information on logistical details, cultural differences, what students can expect at their host university, health and safety concerns, travel tips, and more. Additionally, in certain locations across the U.S., API offers pre-departure orientation sessions for students and parents on their home campus.

INTERNSHIP, TEACH, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ONLY

API works with each individual to find the best possible placement match to meet that individual's learning objectives, personal goals, and future career interests. Depending on the destination, the applicant's level of education, foreign language ability, and placement area competitiveness, the applicant may need to have some flexibility with the placements available.

API can connect prospective program participants with recently returned API alumni through the API Alumni Network. These alumni can share their experience, answer questions, and connect with students pre-departure. Upon their return, API alumni have the opportunity to participate in a number of alumni programming opportunities, including the API Global Leadership Academy.

API was one of the first study abroad organizations to establish a strong presence on social media, and we've received several awards and industry accolades for our outreach efforts. Join the conversation at #apiabroad, #ispyapi, and @apiabroad on your preferred social network!

In all study abroad, internship, high school, and gap year locations, API has highly qualified, trained, and experienced English-speaking Resident Directors/Coordinators who are available to students throughout their session abroad. Most Resident Directors/Coordinators are locals from the host country in which students will be studying, and all are ready to provide practical information and insight into the host culture. Resident Directors/Coordinators greet students at the airport, introduce students to the ways of life in their host country, help students to register at the host institution, and support students throughout their stay. They are also available in case of any personal emergency and are ready to implement the API emergency response plans if needed.

In most teach abroad locations, API participants have access to local partners who are available to provide airport reception, host an initial on-site orientation, help participants get settled into their placement, and are available throughout the program in case of any personal emergency.

API students are met at the airport and welcomed to their new home by API Resident Directors/Coordinators on the program start date.

Note: arrival reception may vary for teach and volunteer placements.

The on-site orientation takes place during the first week of a student's stay. API orientations include city tours as well as practical information about life in the host city, including transportation, safety, and local culture. The orientation is designed to minimize adjustment difficulties upon arrival and gives students a chance to get to know other participants in the program.

Intern abroad participants will receive additional workplace training, and those participating in an an 8-Week Fixed Date Internship Program will receive our unique 3-day Workplace and Culture Orientation. During this fun and education orientation, interns will have the opportunity to build relationships with other participants, discover the local culture, learn about the host country work environment, attend career-related workshops, and participate in local cultural activities.

Teach and volunteer abroad participants will receive an on-site orientation by API staff or partners to help ease the transition into the host country.

STUDY ABROAD, HIGH SCHOOL, GAP YEAR PROGRAMS ONLY

All programs include a fixed number of credits per term as part of the standard fee. The number of credits that a student can earn each term is detailed on each program page and varies from approximately 12-18 credits per semester and 3-6 credits per Jan-term, summer, or intensive session.

Intern abroad participants who select an 8-week fixed date program may pursue a credit-bearing option for an additional fee.

Teach abroad participants in some Latin American locations may elect to pursue language tutoring (included in most cases).

Medical and life insurance is provided for all students during the program term. The coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support for medical issues.

Study abroad, high school, gap year, and intern abroad students are offered monthly API-sponsored social and cultural activities, including outings to movies, concerts, cultural tours, theater performances, museums, outdoor activities, and more. All entrance fees are covered by API. Students also enjoy both welcome and farewell meals.

Teach and volunteer abroad participants often have social and cultural activities provided by their host organization.

STUDY ABROAD AND GAP YEAR ONLY

Organized by API Resident Directors/Coordinators in many locations, the API Gives Back Project may consist of an ongoing volunteer opportunity or a one-day commitment. The goal of the project is to help API students express their thanks for the welcome they receive from the local community.

Housing is included in the program fee for study abroad, intern, high school, and gap year programs.* Depending on the host city, students may choose from various housing options, including host families, apartments, or student dormitories. Students can request single rooms on their housing form for an additional cost, although some sites may have guaranteed single rooms as part of the program fee.

Teach and volunteer abroad participants have housing that is generally included in the program fee (with some exceptions). Depending on your program, you may be housed with a host family, or in a volunteer lodge, dormitory, or a small, furnished apartment. For specific housing information per program, please consult the program pages or contact the API office.

A $275 security deposit is due by the final payment deadline for all programs (except Teach, Work, or Volunteer programs) .

A fee of $95 will be retained from all security deposits to cover standard cleaning fees and general maintenance fees, including minor repairs and standard touch-up painting.

The remaining $180 is refundable provided that: 1) no additional fees are assessed on-site for incidentals, damages or excessive utility usage; and 2) the API program fee has been paid in full.

Housing for most academic year students during the period between the fall and spring semesters is not included in the API program fee. Most students take advantage of this time to return home to the U.S. or to travel around their host country. In most cases, API can arrange for between-term housing for students in their host city for an additional fee. Refer to the city information sections on this website for more specific housing information by location.

*Due to the range of housing options for study abroad students in Australia and New Zealand, housing costs have been separated out from the program fees and are billed separately once the student's housing placement has been confirmed. Please contact the API office if you have any questions.

STUDY ABROAD, INTERN, HIGH SCHOOL, GAP YEAR

Upon completion of the academic session, an official transcript from an accredited institution with a letter of translation (if necessary) is sent to each student's home institution. API encourages students to discuss their academic choices with advisors at their home institution to determine how credits reflected on the transcript might be transferred toward their degree plan.

TEACH AND VOLUNTEER

All teach and volunteer abroad participants who respond to our series of program reflection questionnaires will receive a completion bonus from an organization whose mission resonates with our own, and this will, in turn, provide a product or service for someone in need. Choose between a Krama Wheel scarf or a gift card to one of three socially responsible companies.

Krama Wheel – with every product purchased, one weaver is paid fairly, treated respectfully, and better able to support her family; one local seamstress is paid to sew a school uniform, and one child gets a uniform so he or she can attend school.

Krama Wheel's founder is a former API employee, Roni Sivan. Read about her journey here.

Returning students have the opportunity to continue to be engaged with API through a variety of alumni programming opportunities. Whether connecting through the API Alumni Network, keeping up to date with current job postings and items of interest on the API Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups, or participating in API's Global Leadership Academy, API continues to support participants post-experience.

API's Global Leadership Academy (GLA) offers student leaders the opportunity to build core competencies of global leadership in a dynamic and creative atmosphere. The program helps participants develop skills to share their experience in their community, on campus, and in job interviews. Students host collaborative events to share their international story and learn to integrate their international experience into their chosen career path. The program empowers participants to transform the world, as the world transformed them.

GAP YEAR ONLY

API will facilitate opportunities for reflection throughout the session to assist participants in connecting with their experience in a purposeful way. Participants will consider the goals they set prior to their arrival and consider what they have learned about themselves and the world around them since arriving abroad. For gap study abroad and gap internship participants, this will also include an additional excursion or activity planned specifically with them in mind!