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.

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.

Your journey begins with a flexible, self-paced online module that will be available starting this month. Designed to fit easily around your schedule, you can complete these activities and shared assignments at your own speed in about 12 total hours.

By completing the online portion before your trip, you'll have more free time to explore the places you’ve come to see!

3 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Live “Know Before You Go” Zoom class

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. — In-person Los Angeles touring experience

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — In-person Los Angeles touring experience

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — In-person Los Angeles touring experience

9 a.m. to 12 noon — In-person Los Angeles touring 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.

Accommodations are not included in the tuition price, but you may choose to take advantage of the accommodations we’ve arranged at HI Santa Monica Hostel for the nights of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 25-27, for $169 including all taxes and fees. Each student 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.

 Please consider the benefits of booking your accommodations with our group rather than on your own.

• You’ll only share your room with other au pairs.

• Quicker check-in when you arrive.

 Since we’ll start and end each day at HI Santa Monica Hostel, staying at the hostel is the easiest option if you need accommodations.

 If you choose to stay somewhere else, please keep travel time in mind, as Los Angeles is very spread out. Before booking other accommodations, we suggest checking the commute time to HI Santa Monica Hostel.

All class sessions — whether online or in-person — are mandatory. The Zoom class takes place live with your camera on and require each student to take an active role in group discussions.

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 Saturday, July 25, 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 July 25.

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.