Ever curious about what makes New Orleans one of America’s most recognizable and culturally iconic cities? How its spirit and cultural essence could connect with your own journey to America? Our course explores these mysteries, showcasing how New Orleans' distinctive blend of cultures shapes its unforgettable character and zest for life.

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!

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Live “Know Before You Go” Zoom class

12 noon to 6 p.m. — In-person New Orleans touring experience

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — In-person New Orleans touring experience

Class begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

Classes will take place at 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, in the heart of the city’s downtown.

The highlights of the city explorations include the following: French Quarter (Jackson Square, Royal Street, French Market, Mississippi River), Central Business District, Algiers Point, Armstrong Park/Congo Square, Lafayette Square, Cafe du Monde, City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden, Historic New Orleans Collection Museum, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, Bywater, Treme, Marigny/Frenchmen Street, Magazine Street and the Garden District (Audubon Park, Loyola and Tulane Universities).

Students will also visit two iconic local attractions.

• Cajun Pride Swamp Tour, where you’ll journey back to the early days of Louisiana bayou and swamp explorations. 

• Mardi Gras World, showcasing the history and craftsmanship of New Orleans’ world famous celebration.

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 with this course.  Based on feedback from au pairs, you may wish to consider the following places to stay:

• HI Hostel (1028 Canal Street)

• Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans (1021 Kerlerec Street)

• Quisby Hostel at 1225 St. Charles Avenue)

Many students also find it helpful to use the Hostelworld website when searching for a place to stay. We mention this website — and the three properties noted above — simply as a resource that you may wish to consider and do not recommend or endorse any particular property.

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 you sign up for any course, double check class times (both online Zoom and in-person) as well as the time zone according to which the class will be taught.  Make certain that the class times do not conflict with your work commitment to your host family.  If the times conflict, this is not the course for you.

• 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 travel arrangements.

• Please also note that as the start of the course 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 arrangements.

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 Towson to get your certificate to you sooner.

If you cancel…
― 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 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.