At Living Routes, we understand that a student's choice of whether, where and with whom to study abroad is influenced by innumerable factors. Parents' counsel and support of their child's dream of exploring another place and building new knowledge and experience are vital to most students. This page is intended to help parents learn about their child's potential program and the organization that develops and runs it. Below are some helpful info and links, but please consider the whole site your resource, and of course, feel free to email or call us with any questions or concerns.

• Living Routes' academic programs are designed to create a deep learning community of students and faculty and immerse them into the local culture and provide direct insight and experience into sustainable living, community development and important social and group skills such as consensus decision-making and conflict transformation. All programs include a service learning component so that students can learn by doing and give back to the ecovillage or community that hosts them. For more info, please visit our programs page.
  
• All Living Routes programs are accredited by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and credit is widely transferable to colleges and universities around the U.S. and Canada. For more details on the itinerary or course info please visit the individual program pages or click here for detailed curriculum documents.
  
• Financial Aid: Living Routes offers small scholarships, to help make our programs more affordable to those who demonstrate need. Additionally, a student's federal financial aid, managed by her/his home school, will likely be transferable to Living Routes programs.
  
• Our faculty are exceptional educators whose first priority is the health and safety of all participants. Faculty are also skilled at helping students maximize their learning, integrate information and internship experience into a coherent whole– offering individual mentorship, guidance and tools to help students integrate the learning journey into their lives once the program ends. For info on faculty for specific programs please see the program page or About our Faculty. Learn more about our administrative staff and board members here.
  
  
• Communications: Before each program begins, Living Routes sends out a detailed student handbook which includes information about the host community, culture shock, what to bring and expect, and logistical details and other orientation materials. We also set up a listserv by which students, faculty and staff can introduce themselves to each other and ask questions, coordinate plans and generally prepare themselves for the journey ahead. This listserv stays with students so the intense community and friendships they build can continue indefinitely. Students are also encouraged to write and post pictures to each program's online journal or Weblog, which is a great way for parents to keep involved and up to date while the program is happening. Of course, Living Routes is in immediate contact with parents if there is a problem affecting a student's experience or if there is any kind of action being taken or needing to be taken due to an in-country emergency. Although our programs have an exceptional health and safety record, we understand that parents worry. Please feel free to contact us at any time!
  
• If you are pleased with your son or daughter's learning and growth abroad and feel motivated to include Living Routes in your annual giving, please be assured that Living Routes is non-profit charitable organization and donations are tax deductable.