Educational Trips to Latvia
Since 1997, ALA has organized educational trips to Latvia to offer young people of Latvian origin an opportunity to maintain and further develop their Latvian identity, to use and improve their Latvian language, to strengthen their ties with Latvian society, and to develop and maintain contact with Latvia. ALA is aware that not everyone has the same level of fluency in Latvian, so has created two equivalent trips.
The “Sveika, Latvija!” trip requires all participants to understand and speak conversational Latvian. Latvian will be the only language spoken among the participants and anyone they meet on their travels.
Registration for 2023 summer trips is open!
The deadline for applying to “Hello, Latvia” / “Sveika, Dzimtene” has been extended to March 31.
The deadline for applying to the August “Sveika, Latvija!” trip has been extended to April 30.
Sveika, Latvija!
(“Sveika, Latvija!” June 11 – 22 – Registration Closed)
“Sveika, Latvija!” August 13 – 24
An educational trip in Latvian for teens ages 13-15 who speak Latvian.
We offer the opportunity to travel and explore Latvia, meet your peers from the US, Canada, Australia, and Latvia, and enjoy a rich program with many interactive events. The trip is conducted in the Latvian language. We request only those with a good understanding and that feel comfortable speaking Latvian apply.
Trip fees for participants from the US:
$4,200.00 – flight and program fee,
$3,200.00 – flight, program fee minus percentage scholarship*,
$3,200.00 – no flight, program fee with no scholarship,
$2,200.00 – no flight, program fee with scholarship.
*ALA offers scholarships for US participants in proportion to how many years they completed Latvian school (Preschool, Kindergarten, First through Eighth grade). $100.00 for every year not to exceed $1000.00. (See Dalībnieku pieņemšanas vadlīnija: https://alausa.org/musu-darbiba/mes-un-latvija/izglitojosie-celojumi/)
Trip fees for participants from Australia and Canada:
$3,200.00 – program fee. Participant parents responsible for round trip airfare to and from Riga.
Deposit: $500.00. Due by February 28.
This program is financially supported by the Society Integration Foundation from the State budget of Latvia.
Application
Participant Acceptance Guidelines
Tour Guidelines
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions – August Group
Heritage Latvia
(“Heritage Latvia” July 11 – 22 – Registration Closed)
An educational trip for young people of Latvian heritage between the ages of 13 – 16 years who are not comfortable understanding or speaking Latvian.
We offer an opportunity to travel around Latvia, meet your peers, enjoy a rich program with many interactive events. The program is similar to the Sveika, Latvija! program, but developed for young people who would enjoy an adventure with less emphasis on the Latvian language.
Trip fees for participants from the US:
$4,200.00 – flight and program fee,
$3,200.00 – flight, program fee minus percentage scholarship*,
$3,200.00 – no flight, program fee with no scholarship,
$2,200.00 – no flight, program fee with scholarship.
*ALA offers scholarships for US participants in proportion to how many years they completed Latvian school (Preschool, Kindergarten, First through Eighth grade). $100.00 for every year not to exceed $1000.00. (See Dalībnieku pieņemšanas vadlīnija: https://alausa.org/musu-darbiba/mes-un-latvija/izglitojosie-celojumi/)
Trip fees for participants from Australia and Canada:
$3,200.00 – program fee. Participant parents responsible for round trip airfare to and from Riga.
Deposit: $500.00. Due by February 28.
Application
Tour Guidelines
Terms and Conditions
Sveika, Dzimtene! / Hello, Latvia!
10-day trip scheduled between July 10 – 21. Dates will be determined by participants.
Participation fee: $3,000.00
Deposit due March 31: $500.00
Educational trip in English and/or Latvian (dependent on participants’ proficiency) for adults and families. A fantastic opportunity for adults to delve into the culture and history of their ancestors, as well as to experience modern-day Latvia. A chance for some to introduce spouses and family members to Latvia.
“Hello, Latvija!” participation fee does not include the cost of flights and participants are responsible for making the arrangements.
Application
Terms and Conditions
For more information regarding ALA’s educational trips, please contact Liga Ejups: programs@alausa.org