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Class Guidelines

Registration

  • New students seeking to take a class above the Beginner 1 level must complete an online placement test. Beginning 1 students do not need to take a placement test - you can just register! There is no charge for placement testing.
  • With the exception of our Advanced classes, students who successfully completed one of our classes (or a class previously offered by the Resource Center of the Americas/La Conexion) can register for the next level class. Advanced Spanish class students are expected to have an advanced level of speaking and writing and also must complete placement testing prior to registering.
  • Please use the information in the class descriptions as a guide for registering.
  • All registration is on a first come, first served basis. Please note that some classes fill quickly, and we limit class sizes to create a positive learning experience.
  • After taking the online assesement please call the Program Manager, Filiberto Nolasco at 612.436.8275 for registration and payment. 
  • We will provide information about which of our outstanding teachers is assigned to a given class during registration. We reserve the right to change teacher assignments to meet overall scheduling needs.

Online Placement Assessment

  • Students who plan on registering for Beginning 2 or 3; Intermediate 1, 2 or 3; or Advanced Spanish, should click this link before registering for a class to complete the online assessment.

  • Please note your score at the end of the test. The purpose of this assessment is to act as a general guide for determining the most appropriate class.

Payment

  • Payment must be made prior to the first class. Teachers are not authorized to admit unregistered students nor to accept payment at the class site.
  • Payment may be made by credit card by calling the office. Checks may be mailed. Cash is not accepted.
  • Tuition is refundable until Monday, June 24th, minus a $40 administration fee. We maintain this policy and apply it equally to all students–not doing so would have too much impact on our ability to manage class sizes, maintain a pool of capable teachers, and keep class tuition low. We do make exceptions for serious health issues and job layoffs.
  • Refunds are made by check and take up to 30 days to process.
  • We assess a $40 fee on any check that is returned to us for insufficient funds.

Attendance & Cancellation

  • Please notify your teacher in advance if you’ll be absent. Bear in mind that your absence affects not only your learning experience, but also your fellow classmates. If you miss 2 classes without explanation, we’ll be calling! If you miss more than 3, you’ll be ineligible to receive a completion certificate. We encourage classmates to partner up for mutual support.
  • Occasionally we must cancel a class meeting due to teacher illness, weather emergencies, or other extraordinary circumstances. If we cancel class we’ll notify you by phone as far in advance as we possibly can.
  • While we very rarely cancel an entire class, we reserve the right to do so and will issue you a full refund. The main reasons for a class cancellation would be insufficient student registrations or a major problem with teacher scheduling.
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If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.

We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)

This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.

The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)

Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania

GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania

Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania

Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania

This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.

My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)

I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.

One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.

My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.

We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.

The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007

The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant

With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants

I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant

I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant

As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant

A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer

It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer

The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer

My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer

Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!

The best thing about the trip was getting really close-up pictures of horses. The hardest part of the trip was leaving Chirapa
Tana-Isabel, Washington; Peru youth volunteer

I wanted to be "in the middle of nowhere" and enjoy it as well as learn about the Quechua culture. My comfort zone has expanded and I enjoyed getting to know the people!

The most inspiring moment for me was receiving a genuine Quechuan percussion instrument as a gift from the community. It showed me that the community valued my presence and it is something that I will never forget.
David, University of Minnesota Participant; Peru volunteer

 

As I zipped into my sleeping bag, I reflected on this totally crazy, awesome experience, and in many ways wondered how (why) we are having so much fun. This is -- by far -- the best trip we have ever taken as a family and perhaps even my best trip ever. Everything is an adventure. We are living it rather than observing it. Amy S., Chicago, Guatemala volunteer