Why Should I Go on a Christian Study Abroad Trip with Stellaris?
• You will have the ultimate summer experience: exporing the world, making friends, having fun and building your faith!
• You will be able to enjoy new frontiers of independance while still being supervised by experienced counselors. Besides being a fantastic spiritual and cultural experience, it is a good way to practice self-sufficiency before starting college- where you'll really be on your own!
• Experience a spiritual awakening: Visiting historical sites of Christian significance can energize a person spiritually like few other things can! Seeing where our Christian forefathers have lived and served gives a more concrete perception of how our lives can serve God as well!
• Gain biblical understanding: By personally visiting sites of Biblical significance, you learn more and retain more information than studying at home from a book.
Who is eligible for admission to the programs? What is the age range of the students?
Our programs are open to students who have a genuine interest in exploring their faith and the world in a safe and responsible manner. Our students are mature, academically motivated, and they have an interest in Christian faith, history and missions. They are looking for an opportunity to see God and themselves in new and revitalized ways. Students completing grades 8 to 12 are eligible to apply (this varies by program).
Do I need to know a foreign language?
No, we do not require any previous background in foreign language, but when traveling internationally, it always helps.
How long does the program last?
Typically, the programs are 7-15 days including travel. Our longer trips are in the summer and we have shorter trips throughout the year. For specific dates and itineraries, please refer to the program page.
Can I get school credit for participation in the program?
We will be happy to work with your school's administration or your homeschool organization to help you obtain school credit.
What if I am a vegetarian or have other dietary needs?
In regards to dietary needs, we will accommodate them. Please note, however, that students with special dietary needs must be specific when filling out their applications so that their counselors understand their dietary restrictions.
Will I have a roommate?
Typically, yes, at least one other student from the program.
How are roommates chosen? Can I request a specific roommate?
Students will only be placed with roommates of the same gender and approximately the same grade level. For those students who do participate with a friend or a sibling, you can request to room with a specific person (or persons). While most of the time these requests can be fulfilled, we cannot guarantee it. Specifically, we cannot promise to put two (or more) students together as roommates unless they each request, in writing, to room with each other on their respective applications.
Will I have free time to travel on my own or to see sites in smaller groups?
Most of our time will be spent learning and traveling together. There may be occasions where we split into smaller supervised groups that stay in touch via cell phone. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and safety guidelines/behavioral agreement (especially the policies on alcohol and curfew), and generally to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, good judgment and a Christ-like witness.
Is there a curfew?
Yes, but the curfew time may vary by program and the day of the week. A typical curfew could be from 10:30pm to 12:00am. We may change the curfew at our discretion as deemed necessary for safety and organizational purposes.
During the evenings prior to the curfew, the students will either attend program activities, have fellowship time at our lodging or split into small groups for individual activities. In the latter case, they must be in groups of at least three plus a counselor, strictly abide by program safety rules, and keep the staff informed of their whereabouts.
Will I be able to go to clubs or bars?
As a Christian organization, all of actions (positive or negative) reflect on our savior, Jesus Christ. Our faith and educational priorities, safety rules, curfew, and alcohol/drug policies are taken very seriously. If your goal for the summer is to go clubbing and drinking, this is not a program for you. As in the United States, we may eat at a restaurant or pub that also serves alcohol, but we will not order or consume it. Adults, counselors and students (regardless of age) who are involved in the program must abide by the behavioral agreement and alcohol drug policies. We represent Christ to the world, and any breaches of the behavioral agreement will lead to violators being sent home immediately at their parent’s expense.
How do I apply?
Contact us for an application!
Payments and Fees
What's Included?
All our trips are completely all-inclusive. They include all meals, travel, accommodations, entry fees, round-trip airfare from Atlanta, GA, gratuities and qualified, screened counselors to supervise the trip. Everything is taken care of. You don't need to bring any money, but, if you'd like, you may bring extra money for souvenirs or between meal snacks (not included).
Can I use my airline miles to travel at a discount?
We will work with you to lower the price of the trip if you are able to travel a different way.
What is your departure city?
We will meet together and depart from Atlanta's Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport.
Do you offer any scholarships, financial aid or discounts?
We regret that we are unable to offer scholarships at this time, but we will be happy to help you research sponsorships for your trip! You can research private scholarship directories (e.g. fastweb.com) and contact local community organizations, such as religious organizations or your church, that could possibly sponsor a portion of the program fee or help you raise funds. If needed, we will gladly set up a special payment plan for you, but the program fee must be paid in full by 60 days before departure.
Do you require a deposit to be sent with the application?
Yes, your application should include a $500 application deposit that is refundable (on a sliding basis) except for a $100 processing fee. Upon acceptance to one of our programs, you must submit an additional $1000 enrollment deposit in order to secure your reservation in the program. Both deposits are credited toward the program fee.
Do I have to pay the entire cost at once or can I use a payment plan option?
You will have already sent the $500 application deposit and $1000 payment and both will be credited toward the program fee. When the remaining balance of the program fee is due is determined by the program dates. Our summer programs will be due at the end of Spring; our Spring programs will be due at the end of Winter; etc. We will invoice you for any unpaid balances approximately 75 days before departure. For students enrolling less than 60 days before departure, full payment is due within 7 days of acceptance to the program. If you would like to request a special payment plan, please contact us via phone or email.
What if something happens and I can’t attend the program? Is the fee refundable?
If a student withdraws from a program for any reason prior to departure, a refund will be calculated by a program specific schedule. For example:
More than 90 days before departure, all but $100 is refundable;
More than 60 days before departure, all but $1500 is refundable;
Less than 60 days before departure, the fee is 100% non-refundable. We strongly suggest that you talk to us about travel insurance.
Withdrawal from a program is effective on the date that written notification is received by Stellaris CSA.
The cancellation and refund policy is in effect for the intial receipt of a student’s application and deposit, even before he or she is formally accepted and enrolled.
If a student needs to withdraw from a program for a medical reason, he or she may be eligible to receive a reimbursement from our travel insurance provider, subject to the conditions of the insurance policy. For more information, please email us, and we will refer your question to the insurance provider. The Stellaris CSA refund schedule is independent of the insurance policy.
If a student is asked to leave the program for a violation of program rules, he or she is not eligible for any refunds or insurance reimbursements, and parents are responsible for the cost of dismissed students’ travel home.
What payment methods are acceptable?
We accept cash, checks, bank transfers and you can use your major credit cards through our Paypal program. Please contact us for more information.
Safety and Medical Info
Should I get vaccinations before I go?
We recommend that you consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. You can call the CDC hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or view CDC’s Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.
What if I have a medical problem while on the trip?
Our staff will immediately arrange for a doctor’s visit, take you to a hospital, help you fill your prescription and otherwise assist you in accessing qualified medical help. Your medical expenses will be reimbursed upon your return home by the insurance provider. If you have a potentially life threatening condition (such as allergies, diabetes, or epilepsy) it is essential that you keep us fully informed when filling out the medical portion of the application.
What if I am regularly taking medication or have other medical needs?
If you have a regular medicine that you must take, bring enough of the medication with you to last the duration of the trip, along with a copy of the original prescription and your doctor’s contact information. You must inform us of all medications that you need to bring on your application and keep our staff well-informed, so that we can ensure your health and safety.
May I travel on different dates (arrive or leave earlier or later) or on a different itinerary? May I make my own travel arrangements? May I travel from/to a third country? How will this change my fee?
If you prefer to travel on dates or itineraries that are different from the group ones (i.e. meet the group abroad, fly from a different airport or a different country, or stay behind after the program ends, etc.) you will need to make your own travel arrangements and purchase your own tickets. The group tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable, and they are only for those students who travel on the entire group itinerary, without changes or special requests. If you travel on a group ticket, you cannot choose your own airline, flight, seat, or people you travel with. If you travel independently, we will deduct the cost of the group ticket from your fee. In general, however, we discourage independent travel on account of many possible risks and complications (delays, missed connections, getting stranded alone at airports or train stations without supervision or accommodation, etc.). We are not responsible for your student until he/she physically joins the group.
Will I be safe in another country?
It is very important to us that we provide a very safe program for all our participants. One way we do this is to develop policies and guidelines that are designed to keep you safe, including our Safe Sanctuary policy and Behavior Agreement/Safety Rules. These rules are not there to inhibit you, but to protect you from many dangers. For example, you may not leave your group, accept a ride from unauthorized persons, enter the dwelling of an unauthorized person, swim alone, consume alcohol, take non-medicinal drugs, leave your room after hours, etc. It is very important that you to be extremely careful with regard to traffic, to choose your acquaintances carefully and to avoid situations where you can provoke unwanted interest. If you follow the rules, one of our counselors will be at hand to assist you if you suddenly find yourself in a uncomfortable situation.
Our staff will provide supervision for all activities and will be available to assist you at any time, day or night. The staff will always come to your aid in any difficult situation.
However, we also expect you to be responsible for making decisions that ensure your own safety. You must choose to respect the rules and exercise caution and good judgement in order to stay out of trouble. A full copy of the Behavioral Agreement/Safety Rules and Guidelines will be in your Application Packet.
What happens if I break the safety rules or behavioral guidelines?
You have chosen to put yourself and your new friends in a dangerous situation. It would be irresponsible of us not to send you home if we can no longer ensure your safety. Therefore, we will contact your parents and arrange to send you home at their expense.
I have a question that isn't on this page. What should I do?
Click on the "E-mail Stellaris" button on the upper left-hand side of this page and ask us anything you want!
Are you ready to shine?
