Every day is a new experience, with its own unique agenda, which makes this trip so exciting.
A typical week involves class-time from Monday to Friday, with a break on weekends; however, this schedule often gets adjusted due to excursions, travel days, etc.
A typical day involves meeting for breakfast as a group, discussing the schedule for the day, then going to a “classroom” (this can be anything, from a university lecture hall to sitting in front of a monument in a park) with your class and teacher. After a few hours, a break is taken for lunch, where you are given some free time to grab a bite to eat. You must walk around in a group of at least four people; this is a good chance to try some traditional food that is common to the cities you are visiting!
After lunch, you meet up with the group again. From there, the program manager outlines the plans for the rest of the day. Typically, you will either return to class for a few more hours or go on an excursion (such as visiting a museum, etc.). After this, the group meets back up and walks to dinner together (typically a local restaurant). This is a nice time to catch up with your friends and chat about what each person did.
After dinner, you are allowed to “sign out”; this is where you let your program manager know where you are going, and with who (in a group of at least four people). You have this time until curfew to go out and explore the city, such as going back to a place you had visited earlier or had been meaning to visit, getting some gelato (a favourite!), etc.
Once you return to the residences, you must check in with a staff member, and typically they will let you know what the loose plans are for the next day (such as what time breakfast is at, etc.).
At curfew, the staff conducts room checks to make sure everyone is accounted for; and then it is time to get some much-needed rest to make sure you are ready for the adventure that is sure to come the following day!