Frequently asked questions
In this section you'll find the most commonly asked questions about traveling with EF College Study Tours
What is a short-term study abroad tour?
How does a College Study Tour work?
How do I enroll on a College Study Tour?
Can my tour dates change?
How are payments made and is there a payment plan?
What are departure fees?
Why should I purchase EF’s recommended insurance plan?
What travel documents will I need?
Which airlines does College Study Tours use?
Can I change my flights?
What if I can no longer travel on tour?
What is an optional excursion? Will my group have free time?
What types of hotels does College Study Tours use?
What is the food like? How does CST handle special dietary requests?
How much luggage should I bring?
How much should I bring for tipping and spending money?
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A short-term study abroad tour allows college professors to enhance their students’ curriculum through group travel. Whether you travel with six students or 60, EF College Study Tours offers the best value through our long-standing supplier relationships and over 40 years of travel experience.
With College Study Tours, students can gain the international experience offered by traditional study abroad programs in just one to four weeks. Short-term study abroad tours can be a great way for students to visit another country over spring break or earn extra credit hours.
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College Study Tours keeps program fees low and quality high by combining groups who have requested similar tours and dates. Combining groups allows travelers to meet students from universities all over the country.
Faculty Travel Free
For every 10 paying travelers you bring on tour, you earn a free place. For example, if you travel with 20 people, you can travel free and bring along one faculty member or chaperone for free.
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There are four convenient ways to enroll on a tour
—all you need is your group’s tour number.
- Online
Fill out an application at efcollegestudytours.com/enroll
- Phone
Speak with a customer service representative at 1-877-485-4184
- Mail
Send your application form in the prepaid envelope to:
EF College Study Tours
One Education Street
Cambridge. MA 02141
- Fax
Applications can be faxed to 1-800-318-3732
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We ask for a date range based on the group’s preferred tour date. This range is within two days of the originally requested date for tours departing October through April, and within four days for tours departing May through September.
Although we make our best effort to accommodate the requested first choice of tour, we occasionally have to offer the second or third choice. All tour dates and itineraries are confirmed 70 days prior to departure.
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Monthly payment plan
EF’s Monthly Payment Plan simplifies your payments by dividing your tour cost into smaller, more manageable amounts. All travelers are automatically enrolled in this plan at no additional cost.
With the monthly payment plan, your final payment is due 25 days prior to departure rather than 110 days prior. The flexible payment schedule allows you to choose from four monthly charge dates (7th, 14th, 21st or 26th). Plus, there are no late fees.
Alternate Payment Plan
- $95 Enrollment Fee
Due: upon enrollment
- $350 payment plus any unpaid insurance
Due: 30 days after enrollment—Late Fee: $75
- $400 payment plus any unpaid insurance
Due: 150 days prior to departure—Late Fee: $75
- Tour Balance (all charges excluding Departure Fees)
Due: 95 days prior to departure—Late Fee: $125
- Remaining Balance (including Departure Fees)
Due: 30 days prior to departure
For enrollments received for tours departing on January 1, 2012, or later, a $250 payment is due after enrollment followed by a $200 payment due August 30, 2011. Each payment is subject to a $75 late fee.
Please call customer service at 1.877.485.4184 for additional questions regarding payment options.
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Departure Fees cover costs assessed by governments, airlines and airports, such as U.S. Customs fees, security taxes and fuel surcharges. As departure fees are subject to change, they are listed separately on your invoice. Airline-imposed baggage-handling fees are not included. Departure fees are finalized at 50 days prior to departure. Should fees decrease prior to your departure, EF College Study Tours will reimburse you the refunded amount directly.
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The All-Inclusive Insurance Plan is designed specifically for EF travelers and provides comprehensive protection should something unexpected happen before or during your tour. Our recommended plan includes:
- Tour Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- Medical and Accident Insurance
- Baggage and Property Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance (2011 & 2012 tours only)
- 24-hour Emergency Assistance
For complete terms, conditions and exclusions please refer to the
Master Policy, or contact a customer service representative at 1.877.485.4184.
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International travel requires different documentation depending on your destination and length of stay. U.S. citizens traveling abroad must bring a passport with at least three blank pages that is valid for at least six months after your return date. Non-U.S. citizens will need to contact the embassy or consulate of their destination countries to ensure they meet specific entry requirements. Some tours require travelers to obtain visas; visit embassy.org for consulate contact information.
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EF College Study Tours flies on regularly scheduled flights with major airlines such as (but not limited to) United, Delta, US Airways, Lufthansa and American Airlines for all round-trip air travel. We always aim to travel on the most direct routes, but please note that non-stop flights are subject to availability.
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If you plan to stay ahead before the tour begins or stay behind after the tour departs or leave from an alternate gateway, you must fill out a special travel request form online by 110 days prior to departure. To submit your request:
- Login to your account
- Go to the “Special Travel” tab
- Review the special travel guidelines and fees
- Submit your special travel request
Tour and departure dates are confirmed around 70 days prior to departure; do not make any personal arrangements until then. Those who wish to arrange their own airfare should choose “Land Only” as their gateway.
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Before cancelling your tour, please review
EF’s cancellation policy. This policy takes into consideration the costs EF incurs at every stage of the tour planning process. To cancel your tour, please contact a customer service representative at 1-877-485-4184.
The cancellation date is determined by the date EF receives notification. Cancellation refunds can only be made to the person whose name appears in the account. Refund checks are mailed 3-4 weeks after the cancellation request has been processed.
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Optional excursions are exciting side trips offered to supplement what’s already included in your itinerary. Some professors bring all their students on optional excursions to enhance their time on tour. Should your group choose not to participate in an optional excursion, you will have free time to explore on your own. Log in to your account to find out which optional excursions are available on your tour.
Costs vary by activity. To secure a discounted price, optional excursions need to be purchased by 50 days prior to departure. Most optional excursions can be purchased on tour at a slightly higher price (though a few must be purchased prior to departure).
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Our hotels are safe, clean and comfortable with private baths. Accommodations in major cities are centrally-located. North American hotels can differ from hotels abroad: rooms may be smaller, and travelers may not have not have access to air conditioning, television or elevators. For tours to Belize and Ghana, EF uses dormitory-style accommodations with shared bathrooms.
View sample hotels (PDF) »
Rooming
Travelers room with two to three other travelers of the same gender in twin or double beds (beds meant for two people). Students from different schools traveling in the same group may room together.
Available upgrades are $40 per hotel night and $70 per ferry or cruise night for twin or double (two single) beds. Single rooms are $75 per hotel night and $110 per night on ferries or cruises.
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Dining abroad is a great way to experience a new culture. CST-provided meals may be local specialties or more familiar dishes. Travelers should expect that their food and portion sizes differ from what they are accustomed to at home. Table water is always free of charge; bottled water is provided only in those countries where deemed necessary by locals (e.g. Egypt).
Special dietary requirements
We do our best to accommodate individual dietary needs but cannot guarantee every request. Please send all requests to your tour consultant no later than 120 days prior to departure. For in-flight meals, contact the reservations department directly at least 24 hours before your flight.
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We encourage travelers to pack light—about one suitcase and one carry on bag. Luggage restrictions vary by airline, and permitted weight and dimensions are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure. Space is especially limited on trains, so please plan accordingly.
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Tipping
Our tour directors and coach drivers work hard to give every student a great tour experience. A tip at the end of the tour is a great way to show your appreciation. While all non-discretionary gratuities are included in the Program Fee, we highly recommend tipping tour directors and coach drivers at the end of the tour. We suggest that each student tip the tour director $6 per day on tour and $3 per day for the bus driver. If the tour includes a cruise, we recommend that travelers also tip $10 per person per day for the cruise staff. Many groups also tip local guides for sightseeing tours.
Spending Money
We recommend budgeting $40 to $60 per day for spending money, as well as the equivalent of $50 in the currency of the initial destination for expenses upon arrival.
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