Start with the School Board

If you are a teacher leading a group of students, this section can help you work with your school officials. Whether or not your district requires formal approval for your trip, it may be wise to let the school board, principal and department know your plans in advance. Give your school board reasons to travel with ACIS.

Educational Value
Educational travel brings classroom lessons to life, broadens student horizons and inspires interest in learning. To demonstrate how your trip will complement the year’s curriculum, consider developing a mission statement listing specific goals. Give examples of how you plan to integrate your curriculum into the trip, using ACIS’ Learning Objectives as a guide. Inform them that students who travel abroad have an advantage over other students when it comes to college scholarships and employment opportunities. Learn more about our Educational Philosophy.

ACIS Reputation and Affiliations
ACIS is a division of AIFS, The American Institute For Foreign Study, Inc. AIFS has been a leader in quality international education for more than 40 years. Since 1964, over 1 million students have participated in AIFS high school and college-level programs. Other members of the AIFS group include Academic Year in America, Au Pair in America and Camp America. Learn more about our ACIS Family.

Safety
ACIS provides 24-hour, 365-day emergency assistance to our travelers stateside and overseas. Every group leader receives a card containing emergency contact numbers staffed by trained ACIS travel professionals. We maintain extensive assistance networks everywhere we travel, including locally based staff who can be on the scene as quickly as you need them. Learn more about our Safety & Security.

School Committee Member Letter
Sample (PDF)

Generate Excitement

The after-school meetings for interested students mark the beginning of the formal enrollment process. Here’s how to start a “buzz” about your tour and make your meetings successful recruiting tools.

Start Early
The earlier you start, the better for everyone. Most group leaders start organizing nine to eighteen months prior to departure, but it is certainly possible to start closer to departure. It’s easy—just take a few minutes to announce your plans in your community and school and put up the meeting flyers we provide at our Download Center. Parents and students appreciate the extra time to prepare, as well as the special savings available to early registrants. And the earlier you prepare, the more group leader benefits you can receive!

Preparation

• Schedule your meetings for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday right after school.
• Publicize the meetings.
• Call your ACIS International Program Manager or Consultant to request printed posters and itineraries, request a customized PowerPoint presentation, review plans for your meetings, create your customized Trip Site, and ask any other questions you may have.
• Draft a letter inviting parents to attend a parent-student evening meeting the following week. Sample Letter to Parents (PDF)
• Distribute ACIS itineraries and invitations for parents to attend the evening meeting.

Tips for Successful Meetings

• Know your itinerary
• Know the cost breakdown
• Keep the meetings short
• Let us help you: Don't forget to ask your tour consultant for your customized PowerPoint presentation and your customized Trip Site PDF