FAQs

Yes, our programs are suitable for all skill levels.

Typically, a language study trip includes the language course, accommodations, travel, cultural or project-based activities, and organizational support for intensive language weeksfor school groups. The details vary depending on preferences, destination, and program.

Absolutely. Pierre Overall’s aim is to offer high-quality language stays at affordable prices, making this valuable experience accessible to everyone.

The duration varies depending on the program you choose: from five, six, or seven nights for the classic intensive language weeks “The Traveling Classroom” to completely flexible stays with our“à la carte”courses.

Tell us about your school trip: your contact details, school name, year group, number of students, preferred destination, dates, duration, travel preferences and any special requests. We’ll be happy to prepare a personalised offer for you!

Tell us your contact details, who will be travelling (just you, your family or a group of colleagues), your preferred destination, length of stay, dates, travel preferences and any special requests. We’ll create a tailor-made offer just for you!

Yes, the “à la carte” courses and “The Traveling Classroom” can be tailored to specific destinations, learning objectives, proficiency levels, ages, and interests.
For the“Language Vacations”courses, we put together the program ourselves.

Insurance is not automatically included, but it is strongly recommended. Upon request and at no additional cost, we’d be happy to arrange travel and cancellation insurance for you through our partner, Europäische Reiseversicherung.

Among the destinations we offer, of course.

We recommend browsing our FAQs for helpful information. If you have any further questions, we’re always happy to help personally. Simply fill in the contact form, send us an email or give us a call!

It's best to use a checklist: documents, luggage, and practical information. Being well-prepared helps you set off feeling more relaxed and enjoy the experience more.

A few weeks before departure, students should start finding out about their destination and exploring the language or project week in more detail. Encourage them to do their own research, for example by talking to classmates who have already taken part in a language trip or by looking for information online.
What do they already know about the destination’s history? What is there to discover in areas such as music, theatre, painting, sculpture, architecture, local events or the job market? What interests them most about the destination? What would they particularly like to see or experience?

Private accommodations offer an affordable way to experience the host country in an authentic way. However, private accommodations are neither “host families” nor commercial bed-and-breakfasts or hotels! Just as every student is unique, so too are the hosts and their homes. Students must be aware of this, and their expectations must be adjusted accordingly. Our hosts are not “professional” landlords. They have regular jobs. They provide students with a place to sleep, bathroom facilities, and meals.

If the students want to practice their language skills, they have to take the initiative themselves. Dinner is a good opportunity for this. The hosts are under no obligation to entertain their guests.

The students—either individually or in small teams—should prepare thoroughly for various planned field trips. Once there, they can then serve as “guides” for their classmates. This can save a lot of money—and project weeks that the students themselves have helped plan and carry out are always a success!

Our language instructors tailor their lessons to your needs, preferences, and requirements, which you provide to us in general terms in advance. The focus is on speaking and situational, communicative learning.

Please bring your own pen and notepad. Course materials will be provided by our language instructors.

As a general rule: Less is more. Keep in mind that when traveling by train or bus, you’ll need to be able to move and stow your luggage on your own. When traveling by plane, there are clear and strict baggage rules that vary by airline—and failing to comply with them is usually costly.

The European emergency number (police, ambulance, fire department) is 112. All useful information is included in the travel documents we send you before departure. We recommend saving the most important emergency contacts in your cell phone.

Your travel documents will include all the useful contact details you may need for support or in an emergency. There will always be a local contact available to assist you.

A family is often understood as a household consisting of parents and their children. We use the term “private accommodation” because our hosts do not always fit this traditional definition of a family. They may be women or men of different ages living alone, single mothers, or couples with or without children, among others.

Private accommodation offers an affordable way to experience the local language and culture in an authentic, everyday setting.

Guests are provided with a place to sleep, shared use of bathroom facilities and meals. If they wish to practise their language skills, they need to take the initiative themselves. Dinner can be a good opportunity to do so.

Guests are expected to respect and follow the rules of their hosts’ household.

As a general rule, guests should make an effort to speak the local language, even if they are sharing the accommodation with other guests who speak the same native language. This shows respect for the hosts, helps improve language skills, avoids misunderstandings and gives guests a little insight into everyday life.

Hosts provide a simple breakfast, which varies according to local customs. Depending on the accommodation arrangement, a cooked evening meal may also be included, usually served at around 7 pm.
After arriving, guests should discuss their food preferences with their hosts, including any foods they particularly enjoy or cannot tolerate.

Please let us know about any special dietary requirements, intolerances or allergies when you register. We will select and inform the host families accordingly. However, it is important to discuss your needs with the hosts again after arrival to clarify the details.
Guests are also expected to take some personal responsibility: they should communicate their requirements clearly to their hosts and avoid eating foods they know they cannot tolerate.

The hosts must be notified in advance via WhatsApp, text message, or phone. We will provide the phone number with your travel documents.

Minor issues should be resolved directly with your host. For younger guests, this is also an opportunity to act maturely and independently. For example, if you would like more, less or different food, the bathroom is blocked, or you notice dust that needs cleaning, speak to your host directly and try to resolve the issue together.
If you encounter a more serious problem, please contact Pierre Overall directly on +43 1 587 0518 or by email at feedback@pierre-overall.com.

Some hosts provide internet access at home, but not all. Free Wi-Fi is available in most restaurants, cafés and public spaces.
Try to use your smartphone and the internet sparingly, and avoid staying in constant contact with family and friends back home. Make the most of your time in a foreign-language environment and embrace the opportunity to become more independent!

If you lose your mobile phone while out and about and you’re on your own, try to stay calm. Simply make your way to your intended destination, whether that’s the school, your work placement or your host family. Someone there will be able to help you.
Searching for your phone alone, without any means of contacting others, is unlikely to be helpful and may cause unnecessary worry for those who are trying to reach you.

As a general rule, the youth protection laws of the host country apply. If you are travelling with a school group, only your school and teachers can decide whether you are allowed to go out after dinner and what time you must return.

All our course locations are in safe areas. Vienna, for example, is considered one of the safest cities in the world. Nevertheless, as in any major city, it is advisable to be mindful of pickpockets in public places, at underground stations and in fast-food restaurants.

Google Maps can be useful, but its public transport directions are not always entirely accurate. Local apps can also be very helpful when finding your way around, for example when travelling from your private accommodation to the school or getting around the city.

The European emergency number is 112. Emergency numbers for the police, ambulance service and fire brigade may vary from country to country. You will find the relevant contact details in your travel documents.

For school groups: If you encounter any other problems and cannot reach your accompanying teacher, please contact us. Please provide your name and the name of your accompanying teacher.

Along with your travel documents, you will also receive an emergency contact number, which is generally available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.