Cultural immersion
We offer a wide range of programs to suit all levels and expectations. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, and whether you want to learn a new language for professional or academic reasons, we have an option to suit your needs.
By choosing Realstep and its trusted partners, you benefit from high-quality, enriching language immersion aligned with your personal and professional goals. The expertise of Realstep and its partners ensures rapid progress and an authentic cultural experience.
We offer a variety of English language courses at different levels to enable you to have an enriching experience on one of our projects abroad. You can choose from several destinations, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada.
Located in Cape Town, this school offers you a unique immersive experience and activities designed to entertain you, help you learn new skills, meet like-minded people, explore South African culture and, above all, experience it all in English.
The school offers a range of courses to suit your needs:
– General English: Courses for acquiring everyday language skills.
– Intensive courses: For more in-depth learning.
– Specialized courses: Focus on specific skills, professional specializations or academic courses.
Programs can last from one week to 12 weeks.
The school’s location is ideal, with mountains, beaches and bars just minutes away, and offers an all-in-one setting where students can eat, sleep, socialize and learn English all under one roof.
Explore Sydney, where you can combine learning English with a rich and varied life experience.
1. General English: Improve your general English skills.
2. General + Business English: English for the international workplace.
3.Cambridge exam preparation
4.IELTS exam preparation
5. Preparation for university studies in English
Each course includes a textbook, weekly progress tests, tutorials and a certificate of achievement with level record. From 2 to 52 weeks.
– Homestay: offers immersion in Australian life with meals included.
– Modern residence with top-of-the-range facilities, within walking distance of the school.
– Student houses and apartments for comfortable community living close to the school.
Language courses are also available in Darwin, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Contact us for more information.
Discover the United States and learn English in a fully immersive and stimulating environment.
Courses:
– Private lessons: You take private lessons and enjoy free time outside of class to explore on your own. This option is ideal for a refresher course before starting a Real Step program.
– Homestay: You live with your English teacher and can share their daily life. A great opportunity to practice continuously and make rapid progress.
– Specialized courses: Designed for students needing to improve their professional language skills.
Specialized vocabulary, including technical terms in fields such as business, medicine, engineering, law, IT, architecture, tourism, etc., can be offered.
Accommodation:
– Several options are available: you can stay with a host family on a full-board basis in a friendly setting. Or you can find accommodation in one of the major cities listed and take private lessons from 15 to 30 hours per week.
These courses can also be part of your overseas mission project with Real Step, helping you refresh your skills and improve your English before joining one of our programs.
Studying in New Zealand gives you access to world-renowned institutions, an ideal geographical location, a safe student environment and the possibility of working with appropriate permits.
In Auckland, a variety of language course programs are offered to meet the specific needs of individuals.
– General courses: Whether for light or intensive immersion, the school offers flexibility ranging from 20 to 30 hours of classes per week.
– Specialized English: For those with specific professional goals, courses are offered in fields such as medical or teaching, offering tailored language preparation.
– Academic programs and university preparation: for a year abroad, university preparation or standardized English exams such as Cambridge English or IELTS.
– Premium programs: Learners looking for more personalized attention can opt for one-to-one or mini-group courses, offering a more intimate learning environment.
– Study & work programs : For those wishing to combine language learning with work experience, programs including unpaid internships, working vacations and other options are also available for full immersion in Auckland life and culture.
Various accommodation options are available on site:
– Host family: offers a comfortable, friendly environment in which to practice the language.
– Halls of residence and youth hostels: offer single or double rooms with private or shared bathrooms.
– Apartments/flatshares: Additional options for those who prefer more independence.
Our partner school is ideally located in the center of Dublin. Renovated in 2023, the school has 15 classrooms equipped with TVs, iPads and audiovisual equipment, spread over three floors. It also offers a modern cafeteria with outdoor space, study and relaxation areas with wifi, and a play area.
– Professional workshop: you can attend workshops that will help you find a job in Ireland more easily.
– English exam focus: prepares students to pass English exams such as IELTS, Cambridge First Certificate Exam (FCE) or Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE). With 20 hours of lessons per week, it combines general English improvement with specific exam preparation.
– Real World English: aims to prepare students of all levels to use English in real-life situations, with 20 hours of lessons per week.
Accommodation is provided in student apartments in the city center with single rooms and private bathrooms, within walking distance of the school for students aged 18 and over, and in host families located in the suburbs of Dublin for students aged 16 and over.
Study English in Toronto or Vancouver at one of the world’s most award-winning language schools. The campuses offer bright, modern spaces, perfect for learning and socializing.
Explore our English programs, designed for total immersion in Canadian life. Our teachers are with you every step of the way to make your most ambitious dreams come true. Our programs include the Intensive Program with 30 lessons per week and the Power Program with 38 lessons per week, available from 1 to over 44 weeks.
Choose the course that suits you from our selection: General English, Cambridge English, IELTS Preparation, University Pathway Programs. We also offer online courses, available from 2 to over 24 weeks, with 20 hours of classes per week.
Vancouver: During your stay, you can choose between two accommodation options: in a Homestay, where you’ll stay in a private room with a choice of meals included or not; or in our student residences. Our compact, private studios are fully equipped, with shared bathroom facilities. Ideally located, they offer easy access to all amenities just minutes away. What’s more, downtown Vancouver is less than 20 minutes away by public transit.
Toronto: The first option offers a convivial atmosphere with a shared house or apartment. You’ll share a well-equipped kitchen and enjoy rooms for up to four people, with shared bathrooms. If you’re looking for more privacy, you can book a private room.
If you prefer a more independent experience, our second option offers self-contained accommodation. You’ll be able to cook to your heart’s content in a fully-equipped kitchen, and choose between a private or shared bathroom, depending on availability.
You can take Spanish courses in a variety of destinations, and even stay with a local teacher. All teachers hold a recognized teaching diploma and have been rigorously selected after a thorough inspection. You’ll share three meals a day, benefit from individual language lessons and live the language experience in total immersion with your teacher’s family. This approach allows you to practice the language continuously, before, during and after lessons, guaranteeing rapid progress and effective language acquisition.
If you would like more information on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Realstep has been working for many years with trusted partners to offer you an enriching and authentic language immersion experience. Schools are carefully selected, and all contact details and brochures will be provided at the time of registration.
Please contact us for rates and availability.
Housing is allocated by local NGOs, not by Freepackers - the descriptions are there to give you an idea of the type of accommodation, as it is very likely that conditions will vary on site depending on the number of volunteers, weather conditions, availability, etc. Each volunteer will be accommodated according to the stated conditions, but it is possible that the accommodation may not match the description or images shown on this site word for word, for example, in the case of annexed housing, renovations, relocations, etc.
Each destination offers a variety of solutions to ensure that your stay is comfortable, rewarding and tailored to your personal needs.
Depending on your destination and the type of accommodation you choose, meals may or may not be included. For detailed information, please contact us.
Taking a language course in another country is a rich and multidimensional experience. By immersing yourself in local life, you don't just learn a language, you also experience a cultural adventure that transforms you profoundly. On arrival, you'll be greeted by a dedicated local team who will help you settle in, providing security, supervision, guidance and assistance throughout your stay.
Please contact the embassy or immigration website of the country you wish to enter.
You can find all ressources on the World Organization Website, in the Travel Advice section A vaccine vial.
For all international projects, Realstep requires participants to take out travel insurance covering accidents, illness, and repatriation, as well as civil liability for professional activities abroad.
For complete protection while studying or interning abroad, you can take out Cap Student insurance online by following this link Student insurance abroad | Chapka Assurances, which will give you a 5% discount.
If you take out another insurance policy, we will ask you to send us a copy of your certificate in English.
Achieve the language level required for your international project with tailored support. The Clic-campus method Free Packers X Clic Campus foreign language training courses combines videoconference lessons and an innovative e-learning platform, offering complete flexibility from the comfort of your own home.
A gap year is a period (often 6 to 12 months) during which you temporarily pause your studies or work to have a meaningful, structured experience: travel, volunteering, internship, job, personal project…
It can be done at any time, for the duration you choose, and in the field you want. The goal is to help you explore new possibilities for your personal and/or professional path.
Real Step offers a wide range of gap year programs abroad in various fields.
Anyone! A gap year can be taken at any age and is not limited to 18–25-year-olds. It can be done at any stage of life—whether for a career change, a lifestyle change, to explore different options, or to refine a professional project.
A gap year allows you to:
It depends on the country and your project. Make sure to budget for:
Internships during a gap year are varied, and you have a wide choice of fields:
Interns are accommodated in shared houses, hostels, or sometimes with local host families. You will have access to all essential amenities and are often close to shops so you can easily find what you need.
Departure dates are flexible; it is possible to leave every week. Please contact us to find out about program availability.
This depends on the missions. Local coordinators are on site to facilitate communication, but a minimum B1 level is often recommended to communicate locally. Some technical or research placements may require a higher level.
You can take language classes before you leave for your project.
The participation requirements are listed on each program page.
Yes, you will have a local coordinator on site as your main point of contact to answer your questions, ensure your safety, and support you if needed. You will always have an orientation upon arrival, including: an introduction to the project, the local team, your missions, and the rules to follow. The team also explains safety guidelines (recommended behavior, areas to avoid).
Local emergency assistance is available 24/7. We remain reachable throughout the entire project.
In addition, the projects we offer are carefully selected with reliable partners and in suitable destinations.
Internship schedules may vary depending on your program. In general, you will work between 30 and 40 hours per week. We specify these conditions on the program pages or in the downloadable brochures.
Yes, absolutely! Real Step internships are open to solo travelers, pairs, or groups. Many schools and students even organize group departures through our programs.
There are many diverse destinations: Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America—all around the world!
By joining a project with us, you are supported at every step.
You can contact us to explain your situation. If you have valid reasons to request a new placement, we will send you a request form. You will be informed as soon as a spot becomes available. You will then be able to change location, subject to availability.
There are different ways to finance part of your project. We have several resources to help you find funding support, whether through student mobility scholarships, Erasmus+ funding for projects in Europe, or regional grants. Some volunteers have also organized group fundraising initiatives.
For young people aged 18 to 30, it is possible to go abroad with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) and work on site to finance part of the project.
Even without financial aid, a well-prepared project can be made accessible through a mix of “savings + fundraising + a job on site”.
Find all the information on funding your internship in this article.
The price covers accommodation, supervision, part of the local organization (meals, orientation), Freepackers’ expertise, and support for the projects. Part of the project fee is used to help develop the project on site. Our teams visit the projects to ensure they are safe, useful, and reliable.
Yes, you will have free time and you can go out, visit places, and travel, especially on weekends. You just need to respect the program’s organization (schedule, mission days) and follow the safety guidelines given by the local team. In some destinations, the team can also recommend places to explore.
Here are the essential mandatory steps to complete:
Other steps may be necessary depending on the type of internship, the country, or other factors.
Our team will provide you with all the information you need.
No, most of the internships we offer are unpaid, but this can vary depending on the host organization, the duration, and the country.
Yes, many students have validated their internship through Real Step projects. Our placements meet schools’ academic requirements.
A wide range of internships is available, and our programs are suitable for many engineering fields, such as:
Feel free to contact us to learn about all our internship opportunities.
See our Ultimate Guide to Succeeding in Your Engineering Internship.
This can vary depending on your school and your year of study, but in general you can go for 4 to 16 weeks.
Three months is often the duration required by schools to help you develop skills. To learn more about 3-month engineering internships.
Your missions can vary greatly depending on your specialty and your level of study and commitment, but overall you will be asked to take part in:
The goal is to encourage the practical application of the knowledge you have gained during your studies—skills you will be able to highlight later on.
Find our detailed advice in our guide Engineering internship cover letter: land an international experience.
Yes, many students have validated their internship through Real Step projects. Our placements meet schools’ academic requirements.
We offer many internships in a wide range of areas, such as:
Even though some details vary depending on the country, here are the main steps:
To understand the exact process, we recommend reading this article in detail.
You can go on a WHV to the following destinations:
Check our website to make sure you don’t miss a program—or contact us!
The budget needed for a WHV depends on the country you choose, your lifestyle, and the length of your stay.
Expenses to plan for:
Yes. You can take English or Spanish courses before you leave, or even during your project.
Course schedules are flexible depending on your goal. You can choose to take a few hours per week, or fully focus on your language courses over a longer period to prepare for a project such as a WHV or a job abroad.
Les Français n’ont pas besoin de visa pour aller au Japon pour des séjours de moins de 3 mois, le passeport suffit. En revanche, un business visa ou un visa vacances travail (working holiday visa) sont indispensables pour rester plus de 3 mois, par exemple si vous prévoyez de travailler ou de faire un stage au Japon. Il faut alors faire la démarche à la section consulaire de l’Ambassade.
Il est de votre responsabilité de choisir le bon visa pour votre projet.
Les conditions de visa peuvent changer et le visa dépend de la nature de votre projet. Veuillez toujours vérifier sur France Diplomatie avant de réserver votre billet et de partir pour un programme et de vous y prendre en avance.
Traditionally, Japanese dress codes are formal: a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie. However, foreign businesspeople can dress as they normally would in their home country. It is also often customary to remove your shoes (at home, in some restaurants, etc.).
The yen is Japan’s official currency.
The cost of living in Japan is 2.6% higher than in France.
When traveling, plan for an on-site budget of at least €80 per day per person (¥11,595 per day).
Most dietary requirements (kosher, vegetarian, halal, etc.) can be accommodated, provided you request it well in advance.
Our local partners in Tokyo arrange airport pick-up at the international airport every Friday. For students enrolled in internships outside the city, instructions for reaching the final destinations will be provided in advance or upon arrival.
Either in the main residence in Tokyo, at the internship location when it is remote (natural reserves, for example), or with a host family. This sea turtle conservation internship in Japan includes accommodation. Japan’s housing shortage has triggered an unprecedented surge in prices, so it is strongly recommended to have accommodation arranged in advance for at least the first month of your stay.
Working holiday and internship programs include free time every weekend so participants can explore the surrounding area. Project coordinators and local organizations are always happy to share advice on places to visit and the excursions available on weekends.
It depends on the program you choose. For those who want to stay for 1 year on a Working Holiday Visa on projects involving a paid job like this one, it is strongly recommended to take Japanese classes upon arrival (4 weeks of intensive courses) to broaden your job search options.
In fact, most jobs in retail, services, or the hospitality industry require an intermediate level of Japanese. For 3-month internships, these can be done in tourism organizations that only require English. Farm work does not require a high level of Japanese either.
To travel to Japan, spring—especially April/May—is the recommended period. Summer in Japan is the rainy season. June and July are particularly wet, and the heat starts to build. Temperatures range between 25°C and 30°C.
Currently, people who are allowed to travel to Japan are not required to be vaccinated. For real-time updates, we invite you to consult the Institut Pasteur website.
The local partner provides 24/7 assistance. Participants receive the coordinators’ contact details in advance, as well as an emergency number to call. The coordinators are available at all times, during the week and on weekends.
Look into official channels to find opportunities. It is also important to adapt your application to the country’s norms (the CV and cover letter are different).
Finally, Real Step offers internships in Japan in various fields that may interest you! In ecology or even IT, communication, marketing, etc.
It depends on the company and the length of the internship. In Japan, working conditions are different, so it’s important to focus above all on learning and cultural immersion.