Frequently Asked Auestions

Safety & Supervision

  1. What is the supervision policy? How many staff are with the students?
    Your child’s safety is our highest priority. All classes, tours, and activities are fully supervised by our team. We maintain a high staff-to-student ratio of approximately 1-to-8. While students are at their accommodations, there will be at least one trained chaperone on-site, and a program leader is on-call 24/7 to respond to any needs.
  2. Who are the program staff and chaperones?
    Our team is led by me, the founder, and supported by carefully selected bilingual (English/Turkish) chaperones and qualified English teachers. All program leaders are over 21, have experience in youth education or camp counseling, and are trained in safety and emergency procedures.
  3. How are staff members vetted? Do they undergo background checks?
    Yes, absolutely. Our vetting process is thorough and meets all California state requirements. Every chaperone and staff member must pass a multi-step screening:
    US-Based Staff: Must pass the required California Live Scan (DOJ & FBI) fingerprint check.
    Chaperones from Turkey: Must provide an official “Adli Sicil Kaydı” (Judicial Record Certificate) with Archived Records.
    Personal Interview: I personally interview every applicant to ensure they are responsible, mature, and a positive role model.
    Mandated Reporter Training: All staff are trained as “Mandated Reporters,” which is required by California law. This legally obligates them to report any suspected child abuse or neglect.
  4. What is the emergency plan? What happens if my child gets sick or has an accident?
    In the event of an illness or injury, students will be accompanied by a staff member to the nearest urgent care center or hospital.
    We will be in immediate communication with parents and will remain with the student at all times.
  5. Do students need to have their own health insurance?
    Yes. It is mandatory for all attending students to have a comprehensive travel health insurance policy that covers them in the United States for the duration of the program. We can provide a list of recommended international insurance providers upon request.
  6. Are students allowed to travel on their own without supervision?
    No. For safety and program cohesion, students are not permitted to travel alone at any time. All excursions, field trips, and activities are fully supervised and attended as a group.

Program & Activities

  1. Who is the ideal student for this program? What is the age range?
    This program is designed for Turkish middle school students (typically ages 10-14) who are curious, motivated, and excited to improve their English in a fun, real-world setting.
  2. What is a typical day like? What is the balance between classes and fun?
    A typical weekday includes interactive English projects in the morning, followed by lunch and a new Silicon Valley adventure in the afternoon. Evenings are for fun, social activities like sports, game nights, or picnics. Weekends are reserved for our full-day excursions
  3. What is the morning “English Lesson” like? Is it a traditional class?
    Our classes are the opposite of a traditional lecture. They are project-based and interactive. Students work in small groups on fun challenges, presentations, and discussions, all of which require them to use their English to collaborate and solve problems.
  4. My child isn’t a “tech genius.” Will they still enjoy the Silicon Valley tours?
    Absolutely! The tech tours are not about coding. They are about exploring innovation, creativity, and world-changing ideas. We visit the Google and Apple visitor centers, Stanford University, and The Tech Museum to inspire curiosity, not to teach engineering.
  5. How much English should my child know before joining?
    This program is designed for students who have a conversational (intermediate) level of English. Because our classes are interactive, students will need to be comfortable understanding daily instructions and participating in group projects. This program is not intended for absolute beginners. Our goal is to take students who already have a good foundation and help them become truly confident, fluent speakers by actively using their English in a real-world setting.

Travel & Logistics

  1. Are flights from Turkey to San Francisco (SFO) included in the program fee?
    No, the Spoklo program fee does not include international airfare.
    For the safety and easy coordination of our group, we require all students to travel together on one designated, chaperoned flight (non-stop on Turkish Airlines). We have partnered with a dedicated travel agency to manage our group booking.
    Upon enrollment, we will provide you with the direct contact information for our travel partner. You will then book and pay for your child’s ticket directly with them, ensuring you get the correct flight and our secured group rate.
  2. Who will meet my child at the airport?
    Spoklo staff (including me, the founder) will be at SFO to greet all students arriving on the recommended flight. We will be holding a clear “Spoklo” sign and will provide fully-supervised transportation from the airport to the lodging.
  3. What kind of visa do students need? Do you help with the visa application process?
    Students will travel to the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. While families are responsible for securing their own visa, Spoklo will provide an official letter of invitation and program confirmation to support your application.
  4. How is transportation handled? How will students get to activities?
    All program transportation is fully managed by Spoklo and included in the program fee.
    Airport Transfers: Our staff will personally meet the entire group at the SFO airport terminal upon arrival and provide a private group transfer to the accommodations. We provide the same service back to SFO for their departure.
    Daily Activities: For all daily excursions, students travel together as a group. We use a dedicated, air-conditioned program vehicle (a passenger minivan) driven by our staff.
    Safety: All transportation is supervised by a chaperone. Our drivers hold valid California driver’s licenses, and our vehicles are fully commercially insured for passenger transportation.

Accommodations & Daily Life

  1. What are the accommodations like and how are students grouped?
    Students will stay in safe, comfortable, and modern lodging (such as a group-style Airbnb or an extended-stay hotel) pre-screened by our team. To foster new friendships and encourage English practice, students are thoughtfully grouped by staff. All rooming is same-gender, and students will typically share a room with
    1-3 other program participants.
  2. How are students grouped in their rooms?
    To foster new friendships and encourage English practice, students are thoughtfully grouped by our staff. All rooming is strictly same-gender, and students will typically share a room with 1-3 other program participants.
  3. What kind of food will the students eat? What about allergies or picky eaters?
    Our program includes a wide variety of meals, including group restaurant dining, picnics, and packed lunches. Due to this varied schedule, we are unable to accommodate or manage individual dietary restrictions, food allergies, or special diets. Students with specific, severe allergies or dietary needs must be able to manage their own food choices. All necessary personal medications (like an EpiPen) must be reported to Spoklo staff before the program begins.
  4. How can my child communicate with me back home? Is Wi-Fi available?
    Yes, Wi-Fi is available at the accommodations, and we have designated free times for students to call home. To promote focus and ensure students are fully present, we maintain a “phone-free” policy during English lessons and activities. Additionally, all phones are collected by our chaperones at bedtime to encourage healthy sleep habits and ensure students are well-rested for the next day’s adventures.
  5. What should my child pack for a 2-week trip?
    Upon acceptance, we will provide a comprehensive packing list. Key items will include layered clothing (Silicon Valley weather can be cool, especially in the evenings), comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and any personal items.
  6. How much extra spending money will my child need?
    Since all meals, lodging, and activities are included, spending money is only for personal souvenirs or extra snacks. We recommend a maximum of $500 in cash. For a safer option, a pre-paid debit card or a credit card is also a great choice for families.

Cost & Registration

  1. What is the total all-inclusive cost of the program?
    The all-inclusive fee for our 2-week program is [$ PRICE]. This covers all lodging, meals, English lessons, ground transportation, and activity fees.
  2. What is not included in the program fee?
    The program fee does not include:
    Round-trip airfare from Turkey to SFO.
    U.S. visa application fees.
    Personal travel & health insurance (which is mandatory).
    Personal spending money.
  3. What is the application and payment process?
    We encourage all interested families to attend one of our free, live webinars. We’ll walk you through the entire program, the daily schedule, and host a live Q&A session.
    Our process is simple:
    1)Fill out the “Interest Form” on our website.
    2) We will schedule a short, informal video call with you and your child to answer questions.
    3) If it’s a great fit, we will send an official acceptance and a link to pay the deposit to secure your spot.
  4. What is your cancellation and refund policy?
    The program deposit is non-refundable.50% of the remaining program fee is refundable if you cancel up to 30 days before the program start date. No refunds are available within 30 days of the program start date.