to promote & enhance your well-being
Coming to live in a new country and caring for children can be exciting, busy and stressful — all at the same time! Taking time for yourself to find ways to promote your physical health and mental well-being has never been more important. In this class, we’ll explore how you can use travel, mindfulness and photography to promote and enhance your overall well-being.
All too often, people think wellness travel is limited to visiting expensive spas and retreats, yet it’s really so much more. It’s a path to relaxation and rejuvenation, a proactive approach we can take to find balance in our fast-paced and often demanding lives; a way to tune in, reset and break free from your daily responsibilities; an opportunity to learn new things and grow as a person.
Even in a vibrant, action-packed city like Los Angeles — surrounded by iconic places such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and Griffith Observatory — it is still possible to slow down, be present, and practice wellness travel and mindful photography.
From the laid-back beaches of Santa Monica to the scenic cliffs of Malibu, you’ll experience how mindful travel can help you reconnect with yourself – and the world around you.
“I learned a lot of things that I can apply in my daily life.
The teachers were great!”
What’s the class schedule?
February 22 - March 2, 2026 course
Self-paced online portion
- In January, you will gain access to the self-paced online portion of the course, which will take a minimum of 12 hours to complete. You will then participate in the following required online and in-person class sessions.
Online Zoom class
- Sunday, February 22, 2026: Online class begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
In-person city experience
- Friday, February 27, 2026: Welcome session and group dinner in Santa Monica (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Saturday, February 28, 2026: Day trip to Malibu for a mindful hike and time to explore (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Sunday, March 1, 2026: Today we visit LA’s must-see spots … Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood sign, to name a few (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Monday, March 2, 2026: Morning wellness activity and closing reflection in Santa Monica (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Please note:
- All class dates listed above are mandatory
- All times reflect Pacific Time
Important: Students will gain access to the online course work for this class in January. This course begins as self-paced, online and includes individual activities and assignments to be completed and shared with the instructor and your classmates.
Please also note that as the start of classes draws near, we will send each student a link to a WhatsApp group that will allow us to communicate with students and students to communicate with one another about their plans in regard to travel, accommodations and more.
What are the highlights of the in-person experience?
The highlights of the in-person experience include Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Malibu and a guided tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills. This experience combines learning, mindfulness, and exploration for an unforgettable West Coast adventure.
Please keep in mind that plans are subject to change in light of factors such as the weather, time constraints, road closures and events taking place in the city during the time of your visit.
How much is tuition and what does it include?
The tuition price is $649. You may also take advantage of the accommodations we’ve arranged at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel for three nights — Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 27 to March 1 — for an additional $150.
Tuition includes the following:
— a welcome dinner
— guided tour of Los Angeles
— wellness hike in Malibu*
— morning yoga*
— public transportation, as needed, while you're with your teacher
— all costs associated with the class (there are no additional material or activity fees!)
* weather permitting
Please note that the cost of airfare to/from Los Angeles is not included.
To make sure the course you’ve chosen is not already full, first sign up for the course and receive the enrollment confirmation we’ll email you. Once that’s done, you may then book your air travel and accommodations.
What should I know about accommodations?
Accommodations are not included in the tuition price. You may choose where you would like to stay. We have, however, secured a limited number of single beds at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel and they will be available on a first-come basis. Each student staying at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel will have their own bed in a shared room. The room’s occupants may be of mixed gender, with both female and male au pairs. The hostel is located at 1436 2nd Street in Santa Monica.
Please click here for HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel pricing information.
(FYI … HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is our meeting spot each morning.)
-
Because our online Zoom class is live and interactive, your teacher requires your camera to be on at all times to create a more connected and engaging learning environment. Towson University also requires students to be in a quiet place without distractions to ensure a productive learning experience for everyone. Please note that these sessions are not recorded for later playback.
-
Since each Learning Across America course consists of a limited number of class sessions, Towson University requires you to attend – and actively participate in – each tour day from its start time to its end time. If you fail to do so, you will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Towson University carefully monitors class attendance.
-
Before enrolling in any course, please double-check the class times for both online Zoom and in-person sessions, as well as the time zone in which the class will be taught. Ensure that these times do not conflict with your work commitments to your host family. If there is a conflict, it's best to find another course.
-
Once you successfully complete this course, you’ll earn 72 hours of credit.
If you have additional questions regarding credit hours, please contact your au pair organization.
-
Students will have 3 weeks to complete their post-assignment and submit it to their teacher.
Once you submit your post-assignment, you will receive your certificate of completion directly from Towson University within 10 days, assuming you have satisfactorily completed all course work. Feel free to turn your assignment in as soon as you complete it, as this will allow us to get your certificate to you sooner.
-
If you wish to cancel this course…
― 22 or more days before the start of the first class, you will receive a full refund.
― 21 to 11 days before the start of the first class, you will receive a full refund less a $50 cancellation fee.
― 10 to 6 days before the start of the first class, you will not receive a refund. You will instead receive a credit that can be applied toward the tuition price of any Learning Across America course. The credit will be in the amount of the tuition you paid, less a $75 cancellation fee. The credit is good for one year from the date of issue and is transferable.
― 5 or fewer days before the class begins, no refund or credit is available.
As an alternative, should you need to cancel we offer the ability to transfer your enrollment in the same course to another au pair without penalty, provided we receive notice at least 3 days before the start of the course.
Students who must cancel their course need to send an email to Learning Across America. The cancellation request must be sent directly by the student. Please make sure that the subject line of your email is Attention: Cancellation of Course.
If you wish to cancel your HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel reservation…
If you choose to stay at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel in one of the single beds we’ve reserved and now wish to cancel your stay, you must cancel on or before Sunday, December 28, to receive a full refund. To cancel you must send an email to Learning Across America. There will be no refunds in connection with HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel after December 28. -
If you decide to transfer to another Learning Across America course…
― 22 or more days before the start of your original course, you may transfer without penalty.
― 21 to 11 days before the start of your original course, a $25 transfer fee will apply.
― 10 to 6 days before the start of your original course, a $50 transfer fee will apply.
― 5 or fewer days before the class begins, there is no transfer permitted.
