FAQ
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Why Choose EWE Tours?
This is our passion! We absolutely love leading students, teachers, and families on cultural experiences abroad.
We have 20+ years experience in the field. Our participants have ranged from ages 11-70+. We’ve worked in dozens of countries in Africa, Asia & Central America.
Our partners in our host countries have decades of experience arranging and leading visitors on tours, host family stays, and academic and language immersions.
And of course safety is always the biggest priority. Our trip leaders and host families all have years of experience in keeping our students healthy and safe and are trained in our emergency protocols.
How do I choose a tour?
Start by browsing our tours to see what reflects your vision, interests, and educational goals. Our tours are available on 3 different continents, in locations with unique cultures & features.
Consider the type of experience you may want:
– Adventure travel (ziplining, rafting)
– Academic study (classroom lectures & field trips)
– Language study (Spanish)
– Competitive sports (soccer, volleyball).
Are you interested in a particular part of the world (Central America), or country (India), or culture (Africa)?
Do you mind being far from home? Vietnam is a 12-hour time difference from the US. While Central America is only a 5-hour direct flight from NJ.
Flight costs can vary a lot too. Round-trip flights are as low as $300 to Costa Rica but as much as $1,300 to Ghana in west Africa.
What’s included in the program fee?
- Professional, bilingual guides on call 24-hours
- All meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Private ground transportation
- Domestic Flights (India, Vietnam only)
- All Program Activities
- All Excursions
- Community Service program
- Hotel rooms at 3-star hotels
- Homestays in select countries
- Academic Credit
- Trip Director from the US
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- EWE Tours t-shirt & bag
Not included: flights, visas, vaccinations, COVID tests
What are the age requirements?
For trips led by teachers and coaches, the minimum age for students is 15. For family trips, children must be age 10+. For trips with a group of friends, everyone must be 18+. There is no age limit for any tour!
When can I travel?
Our tours are available year-round but run primarily from June-August. You can choose the actual dates of your tour. You can also travel over winter /spring breaks. Just contact us with your proposed dates.
How do I sign-up?
We partner with the secure website “We Travel” to process bookings & payments. To register and pay the $250 deposit online: go to web page of the educational tour you want to go on and click the “Book Now” button. A popup screen from We Travel walks you through paying the deposit.
What if I have more questions?
Please get in touch so that we can help you choose or customize the ideal trip. Call or text us at 267-764-4215 or email info@ewetours.com.
PRE-DEPARTURE
Do I need a passport?
You must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond your planned stay. Your passport must have at least one blank page for a visa (if applicable). Expect at much as a 6 month wait for the State Dept. to process your application and send you your passport.
Do I need a visa?
Except for Costa Rica, each of our host countries requires a visa. The visa application process differs for each country. After you enroll, we will explain the visa process to you.
Do I need vaccinations?
The only one of our host countries requiring vaccinations is Ghana for Covid-19 (ages 18+) and Yellow Fever.
We follow the vaccination guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC recommends that you are up-to-date with routine vaccinations like MMR, DPT, and polio.
Consult a travel medicine doctor at least two months before your departure, in order to allow sufficient time for the immunization schedules to be completed.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. As part of your program fee, we provide participants with a travel & medical insurance policy that covers illnesses and injuries abroad during the tour (including emergency evacuation flights). The policy is issued by Atlas Travel Insurance under parent company Tokio Marine HCC.
What other paperwork do I need?
In addition to the Online Enrollment Form, you must complete the Participant Contract, Medical Questionnaire, and Parental Consent Letter.
We also strongly recommend that you register your trip with the US State Department’s “Smart Traveler” website. This can help expedite in-country assistance with things like lost passports.
How much money should I bring?
We recommend that you bring $200 USD in cash, plus a debit card and a credit card. You won’t need to spend a lot of money because your program fees covers most expenses. If you want to buy snacks or souvenirs: depending on the country, you may have to pay in cash in local currency where cards aren’t accepted. Use your debit card to withdraw cash in local currency at ATM machines.
ON THE TOUR
What are the accommodations like?
Students will stay at 3 star and above hotels. Rooms are 2-3 students of the same gender per room. Shared bathrooms with hot water. Some tours include overnights at host families who have experience hosting international students.
How about meals?
Meals will be mostly traditional local meals, with occasional fast food visits. Meals will feature rice, beans, chicken, fish, beef and tropical produce like corn, millet, plantains, cassava, dragon fruit, and more. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are easily accommodated.
Is the water safe to drink?
Tap water is only safe to drink in Costa Rica. In all host countries, we will provide bottled water daily.
Will my cell phone work?
Most U.S. cell phone will work abroad. Verify with your cell phone carrier before your trip. You may need to add a roaming data plan for the trip to avoid large fees. Cell phone coverage in our program locations is generally good in urban areas but spotty in rural villages. The app “WhatsApp” is one of the cheapest & most popular ways to stay in touch via text and calls.
Will WIFI be available?
WIFI is available at all of the hotels and host families if you would like to use your phone, tablet or laptop.
We encourage students to (mostly) disconnect from technology in order to fully immerse themselves and get the most out of the trip. However we understand that you might want to call / text occasionally.
Upon the group’s arrival in the host country, you will receive a safe-arrival email / text from us within 3 hours. We will also post daily updates on social media for you to follow the tour.