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About
Our Programs
Christian Travel Study Programs, Ltd. is an educational organization and not a travel agency. We offer only educational experiences built on specific themes. Every program is developed to present a series of "key principles" that are illustrated by the sites and museums. Each course includes a specifically designed syllabus notebook for each participant. Many courses also include a separate "course reader." Included in the syllabus are many diagrams of the various sites visited, as well as seminar pages of our key principles that are filled in by the participant during the program. Our programs are essentially a blending of the benefits of a professional seminar and a visit to important historical sites. Each course has been extensively field tested, and alterations are made each academic year based on professor and student evaluations. In our biographical courses (Life of John Knox, etc.) we visit all of the pivotal places revealed in the historical records. We emphasize places that were "turning points" in the lives of each of the individuals under investigation, or sites that help to explain that particular historical period. This method helps the participants to focus on the theme and to grasp the essential facts while exploring the influences on the subject. Though the focus of the program will be on the thematic development established by the educational objectives, we will certainly visit the major cultural sites of the country as we feel that it does not limit the experience, and many other unrelated excursions are included to balance the program. Program accommodation can range from very basic living conditions (African mission camps) to excellent hotels or even medieval castles (Reformation Europe). The level of accommodation is chosen by our client professor and can dramatically affect the budget. Flights are generally international coach fares with major carriers. Charters are rarely used but may be requested. Cruise ships are in "student class" private charters of 100-110 foot vessels in the Aegean Sea, up to 500 passenger Royal cruise lines, depending on the program. Bonded and licensed agents are engaged for all ticketing and excursions. |
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Our preference is to offer programs with full board packaging, offering three meals a day and all-inclusive pricing. This allows the student to participate with virtually no additional money necessary, and no worry about "tips" or other extras associated with hotels and international travel. We prefer to care for all the transactions internationally within our company, so that our client professor is not responsible for payment of any bills on the trip. This allows our guests to focus on the learning experience, and not the mechanics of the travel process. In addition, we normally recommend a "back door" program, a second choice of educational experience if the primary program fails due to international unrest. In the "Life of Jesus" program, we often offer a "Life of Paul" program as a "back door" in the event that uncertainties in Israel and the surrounding region make travel inadvisable. A secondary program allows the school to maintain the dates and trips abroad, but simply change destinations ninety days in advance of departure. Cancellation of a journey often kills the promotion of future programs. Back door programs offer assurance that an international study trip will take place. African studies have been adjusted in the past for similar reasons, and themes adjusted to meet the needs of the participants. Because there are always risks involved in travel, CTSP recommends specific travel insurance for each journey. Lost luggage and other inconveniences are a common part of these kinds of educational journeys, and such insurance can help ease the anxiety of uncertainty. |
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