FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How do I apply?
A: Whether you want to apply for an international internship or be a host family for an Au Pair/ Demi Par, getting the application process started is easy!  Simply contact us, providing us with some general information about you and which program you are interested in applying for.  One of our consultants will then send you the appropriate application form and fill you in on any additional steps that will be needed to get you on your way such as applying for travel Visas, booking flights, etc.

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Q: What is included in the price of the program?
A: Each program varies as to what is included in the price of the program.  Please visit the program specific web page for what is included in each program.  Also remember that every program can be customized to suit your needs.  Air travel is extra in all cases; however, please talk to us about booking through our travel agency in order to find affordable and competitive rates.

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Q: What is the difference between an internship and an edutourism program?
A: The main difference between internships and edutourism programs are A) the length of the program and B) the focused area of study.  Internships are intended to be longer in length and provide hands-on training and experience that can later be applied towards your career.  Edutourism programs are often shorter, maybe one to four weeks, and focus on fun skills such as language development, photography, salsa dancing, scuba diving, silk making and many more.

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Q: Am I guaranteed a placement in my field?
A: Yes.  If you sign up for an internship in one of the career fields listed on our internship pages, you are guaranteed placement in that field if you meet the requirements.  We cannot, however, guarantee specific job placements with specific roles within specific companies.

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Q: How much should I budget for expenses not covered under the program fee?
A: How much extra spending money you should bring depends entirely on your spending habits, your accommodation preferences and which country you are travelling to.  Some places are more inexpensive than others.  Other than accommodations, you should probably budget an extra $75.00 per week for personal use.

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Q: I don’t see my internship field listed, now what?
A: If you don’t see your internship field listed, have no fear.  Please contact us and let us know what field of study you are interested in pursuing and we will do all we can to customize a program just for you.

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Q: What is your policy on payments and cancellations?
A: Payment options include money order, certified cheque or bank draft made payable to International Career Studies or payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard.  Fees may also be wired directly to the bank. We can provide you with necessary details.
In case of cancellation, notice must be given at least 30 days before start date in order to receive a refund minus the registration fee for most programs.  Contact us for further payment details.

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Q: Do I need a Visa to intern abroad?
A: Yes.  You are required to have a Visa if you are planning on studying/working abroad for a considerable length of time.  The type of Visa you will need depends on the country you are visiting and the length of your stay.  Contact us for further information on the type of Visa you will require. Please note that in most cases, a Visa is not required for Edutourism programs.

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Q: What are your age requirements?
A: All program participants must be the age of majority (18 years old) in order to participate in any of our programs with the exception of Au Pair/ Demi Pair Programs. Also, Edutourism programs so long as the participant is accompanied by an adult or receives written permission from their legal guardian.

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Q: Are there any program/seasonal discounts?
A: We often have some amazing deals and discounted rates throughout the year. Look out for them and don't forget to contact us to see if we have any current promotional offers.

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Q: Is it a competitive application process?
A: No.  Edutourism programs are reserved on a first-come, first-serve availability basis.  Internships are available so long as participants can meet the requirements of the international employer.

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Q: Do I need any formal education for any of the internship programs?
A: No.  Although it is recommended/preferred that people participating in the internship program have some background knowledge or experience in their chosen field, formal education is not required by many of our international employers.

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Q: If I successfully complete an internship, may I use your company as a reference?
A: Upon completion of your program, you will receive a certificate of completion from International Career Studies that you may include in your resume and use for your job search.  We also encourage you to ask your international employer and possibly your program coordinator personally if they would act as a reference on your behalf. 

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Q: Is it possible to include a language study aspect to my program even if it is not listed?
A: Yes.  When you are travelling, we encourage you to learn the local language of your destination.  We have contacts with local schools in order to help you learn.  Additional fees may apply.

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Q: Do I have to participate in a language study program while travelling with ICS?
A: That depends on your program.  If you are travelling to Canada as part of the Study in Canada program, we provide English as a Second Language options, which helps with English conversation skills.  If you are travelling to Cuba for an international internship, language lessons may also be necessary through the University of Havana or similar in order to participate in the internships.  All other programs have optional language study components.  Please talk to your program coordinator for more information.

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Q: What happens if I want to extend my stay?
A: If you come to the end of your program, you may have the option to extend your stay depending on the requirements of your Visa.  Please talk to one of our program coordinators for more information.

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Q: What do I do about a mobile phone/calling card?
A: As part of your orientation package and depending on the country destination, you may be provided with a calling card or access to the Internet for Skype and/or other features.  If provided with a card, once the card has been used, you will be responsible for any additional phone costs.  You may want to purchase another calling card or a disposable cellular phone for the duration of your program.

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Q: Does your company work with international clients looking for international travel/internships?
A: Yes.  If you are from outside of Canada, looking to travel somewhere else outside of Canada, we can definitely help you.  Please fill out our contact form in order to let us know what programs you are interested in.

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Q: What should I do about health insurance?
A: ICS requires that all students have health insurance coverage while travelling abroad for the entire stay of your program. If you are participating in one of our internship programs, travel medical insurance is automatically included in your program fee through our partners at INGLE Insurance. For all other programs, please let us know if you would like to purchase insurance and we will provide you with a competitive rate.

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Q: Can I receive an academic credit for my internship or edutourism program?
A: Yes.  Some of our programs may entitle you to receive a credit towards your field of study depending upon your Secondary School or College/ University.  Please contact one of our program coordinators for more information.

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