FULL ITINERARY: English Immersion University Tour 2025

Fly through the night. Wear comfortable clothes, bring plenty of snacks, and be prepared to sleep as much as possible.

Day 2

Arrive in Los Angeles, California. Welcome to the USA!

Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you will receive a warm welcome from several American University Seniors who will serve as your guides and mentors. Your tour director will also greet you at the airport and remain with the group throughout your stay in the United States. Guides will hold signs reading “ENGLISH IMMERSION UNIVERSITY TOUR 2025 by Eventuality” so you can quickly locate them near the baggage claim.

A private charter bus (cost included) will transport you to the hotel (cost included), where you will be assigned a room and given time to settle in. You can visit with your roommate, unpack, and freshen up before heading to the hotel’s banquet hall for a welcome dinner (cost included).

Get a good night’s sleep! Your orientation begins first thing in the morning.

*Your English Immersion begins immediately and you are encouraged to refrain from speaking in any other language. The group will have a guide who speaks Mandarin available for emergencies, but to receive the full benefit of the immersion program, English should be spoken at all times, including among fellow travelers.

Day 3

Orientation

Morning

After a leisurely breakfast (cost included) at the hotel, orientation will begin. Your tour director will explain the entire program, and handbooks with important information, including names, phone numbers, schedules, expectations, and FAQs, will be provided and discussed. Your large school group of 24 students and one teacher will be divided into five smaller groups, each with its own American guide. Your large group will travel together, follow the same itinerary, and have access to each other. However, small groups will facilitate more efficiency with activities such as educational seminars or eating in a restaurant and ensure the personal experience we promote.

Afternoon

Lunch will be catered at the hotel (cost included). Then, small groups will begin a series of interactive learning sessions titled “Success for International Students in the American University” (SISAU).

Your small group will complete SISAU #1: Adapting to American Food & Drink.

Evening

Your small group will head out on foot to enjoy local cuisine for dinner (cost included) and take in the surroundings. Your guide will encourage you to order food for yourself but will be right by your side to help when needed. Although this can be nerve-wracking the first few times, your English will improve greatly the more you use it!

After a pleasant meal, your group will walk to the hotel and complete SISAU #2: The Real America vs. Hollywood’s America.

Day 4

Visit Hollywood

After a quick breakfast at the hotel (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will drop your small group off at Hollywood Boulevard, one of the most iconic streets in Los Angeles. You will spend the day experiencing Hollywood and Beverly Hills on foot, with a guided tour bus (ticket included) and by metro rail or bus (cost included; up to 5 rides).

See famous landmarks such as the Dolby Theatre (site of the Oscars), the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Capitol Records Building, the Four Ladies of Hollywood Statue, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Rodeo Drive, and more.

Take your picture in front of the renowned Beverly Hills and Hollywood signs. Find your favorite celebrity stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Explore museums and activities including the Hollywood Wax Museum (ticket included), Madam Tussauds (ticket included), Robot Riot 7-D (ticket included), Ripley’s Believe It or Not (ticket included), and World of Illusions (ticket included).

Enjoy local cuisine for lunch (cost included) and dinner (cost included). Maybe even eat at the Hard Rock Cafe!

After a lengthy day in Hollywood, a charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to the hotel for some much-needed rest!

Day 5

Tour Movie Studio & Visit University

Morning

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will take you to Burbank, where movies are made. Your group will be dropped off at Warner Bros., one of the busiest working studios in Los Angeles. An expert tour guide (cost included) will spend an hour taking you behind the scenes of the studio where you will discover the secrets of movie-making magic. Then, your group can spend up to 2 more hours exploring the studio and shopping.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of California Irvine, rated #100 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL score: 80). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities and ask questions of current students and administrators. Eat lunch (cost included) on campus.

Evening

A charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to your hotel to freshen up. Your small group will walk to a local restaurant for dinner (cost included) and then walk back to the hotel to complete SISAU #3: Making Friends & Navigating the Party Scene on American Campuses.

Day 6

Visit Universal Studios

After a quick hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will drop you off at Universal Studios Hollywood (ticket included). Your admission ticket will be an upgraded Universal Express Ticket, allowing you speedy access to each ride, attraction, and seated show using a separate line with shorter wait times.

Experience thrilling themed rides including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Jurassic World, Kung Fu Panda Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers in 3-D, and many more.

Take a tour of the studio’s famous Backlot and learn the secrets of Hollywood moviemaking.

Be entertained by unique shows such as Triwizard Spirit Rally, Waterworld, Raptor Encounter, and more.

You will eat lunch (cost included) and dinner (cost included) at the theme park.

A charter bus (cost included) will take you back to the hotel for the night.

Day 7

College Application Prep

Morning

Sleep late and catch up on your rest.

Late Morning

A brunch (cost included) will be catered in the hotel banquet hall. Then the entire group will learn about writing exceptional personal essays for college applications. Time will be set aside to answer general questions about the writing process and what admission personnel are looking for from students.

Next, you will break into a small group and begin drafting your essay. Your guide will help you along the way, and the tour director will also be available to provide support. This is the one time in the program you are encouraged to use a language-translating app on your phone to facilitate this process.

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to perfecting your essay.

Evening

Find a local restaurant to enjoy a casual dinner (cost included) and walk back to the hotel for SISAU #4: The Art of Small Talk.

Day 8

Visit Universities

Morning

After breakfast (cost included) at the hotel, a charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of California Los Angeles, rated #11 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL: 87). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have lunch (cost included) on campus.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of California Santa Barbara, rated #89 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL:80). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have dinner (cost included) on campus.

Evening

The charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to your hotel to freshen up. Your small group will then complete SISAU #5: Navigating Campus & Dorm Life

Day 9

Visit Universities

Morning

After breakfast (cost included) at the hotel, a charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of Southern California, rated #79 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities(minimum TOEFL:100). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have lunch (cost included) on campus.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will take you to the California Institute of Technology, rated #23 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL:104). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have dinner (cost included) on campus.

Evening

A charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to your hotel to freshen up. Your small group will complete SISAU #6: Approaching Professors for Help. Then, you will pack your bags for San Diego!

Days 10-13

Transition to San Diego

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will bring you to a new hotel (cost included) in San Diego. Travel time is ~90 minutes.

Explore exciting San Diego for 4 straight days!

Each day, after a quick hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will drop your small group off at the entrance to the Old Town Market. Here, you can board the Old Town Trolley bus (cost included) and ride all over San Diego and Coronado for the rest of the day, all four days. This narrated tour allows passengers to get on/off whenever they want to explore areas of interest, grab a bite to eat, or shop. The 11 scheduled stops include:

1. Old Town Market

2. Maritime Museum

3. Embarcadero Marina

4. Seaport Village

5. Marriott Marquis and Marina

6. Gaslamp Quarter

7. East Convention Center – Petco Park and Hilton Bayfront

8. Barrio Logan

9. Coronado / Orange Avenue

10. Balboa Park / Zoo

11. Little Italy

Several attractions, restaurants, and shopping venues are within walking distance of each scheduled stop. Your group will find plenty of exciting places to fill your days!

Take a 90-minute harbor boat tour (ticket included) of the San Diego Bay. A professional narrator will point out over 50 landmarks along the way, including Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, and more. You will see marine animals and birds, fabulous views of the city skyline, and ship-building facilities on your 20-mile journey.

Tour the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum (ticket included) and travel through American Naval history. This real Navy ship, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, contains several interactive exhibits, a self-guided audio tour, and several restored aircraft across its 4-acre flight deck and sections below.

Stroll through the world-famous San Diego Zoo (ticket included) to view over 3500 animals, including kangaroos, apes, tigers, giraffes, elephants, koalas, polar bears, and more. You can take a guided bus tour of the zoo or ride the Skyfari Ariel Tram to get a bird’s eye view of the park.

Spend time admiring and touring one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship, “Star of India,” at the Maritime Museum of San Diego (ticket included). This museum was named one of the top three maritime museums in the world.

Experience the vibrant Spanish and Mexican history of San Diego in the Old Town Market (free admittance). Wander through over 40 unique shops ideal for buying travel souvenirs, including Mexican textiles, leather accessories, blankets and ponchos woven in Peru, Ecuador, and Guatemala, turquoise jewelry, sombreros, teas, and more. Be sure to stop by historic buildings dating back to the mid-1800s, such as the Carriage House, the Casa De Aguirre, and the Convent building.

Explore the grounds of Balboa Park (free admittance) at your leisure. The rich gardens and trails offer a tranquil 1,200-acre retreat in the middle of urban San Diego. This historic cultural park is one of the oldest spaces in America dedicated to public recreational use. Various museums, theaters, restaurants, and even the San Diego Zoo can be found here.

With hundreds of remarkable restaurants and cafes to choose from, trying new cuisines throughout San Diego will be an exciting adventure of its own. Located just 17 miles north of the US-Mexican border, San Diego is known for a "Cali-Baja" fare that mixes California’s traditional fare with Mexico’s Baja-Med cuisine. Fish tacos are the most iconic dish of this style in the city. You can also find Italian food in Little Italy, fresh seafood and sushi around the marina, and bold African flavors throughout the area. The city even puts its twist on an American staple with a thin and crispy San Diego-style pizza. Enjoy four days of diverse, delicious lunches (cost included) and dinners (cost included) during your tour of sunny San Diego!

Each evening, a charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to the hotel, where your small group will complete the following SISAU sessions:

Day 10 #7: Speaking Up in Class & Participation

Day 11 #8: No Right Answer is Sometimes the Answer

Day 12 #9: Public Speaking

Day 13 #10: Understanding American Jokes

Day 14

Visit Universities

Morning

After breakfast (cost included) at the hotel, a charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of California San Diego, rated #21 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL:100). Here, you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have lunch (cost included) on campus.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will take you to San Diego State University, rated #109 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL:80). Although this university did not rank in the top #100, it has a special agreement with Guangzhou Foreign Language School. They admit students without an application, personal essay, SAT, or even letters of recommendation. Students only need TOEFL scores to study here. You will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have dinner (cost included) on campus.

Evening

A charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to your hotel, where your group will complete SISAU #11: Academic Integrity Part I.

Then, pack your belongings and get a good night’s rest.

Day 15

Transition to San Francisco

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will bring you to a new hotel (cost included) in San Francisco. Travel time is ~7.5 hours!

During the long road trip, TOEFL preparation sessions will begin with TOEFL #1: Being Successful on the TOEFL. This series of videos has information about the test, including how the exam is formatted, tips for getting a higher score, and more. You will watch these videos on the charter bus televisions.

A boxed lunch (cost included) will be provided on the bus.

After arriving at the San Francisco hotel, take some time to unpack and freshen up. Then, meet with your small group to complete SISAU #12: Academic Integrity Part II. You will have a light dinner catered as you work through this session.

Day 16

Visit Universities & Silicon Valley

Morning

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will bring you to the University of California San Franciso, rated #15 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL: 80). Here you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have lunch (cost included) on campus.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will drive through Silicon Valley, the epicenter of tech and innovation, passing by the headquarters of Google, Facebook, and Apple. The bus will stop briefly at each site so you can get a picture of yourself in front of each iconic company sign. You will also enter the Apple visitor center for about an hour to experience an augmented reality aluminum model demonstration the company built to give guests a virtual tour around the entire campus. You can also stroll through the Apple store.

Then, the bus will take you to Stanford University, rated #3 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL: 100). Here, you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Eat dinner (cost included) on campus before returning to the hotel.

Evening

After settling into the hotel for the evening, meet with your small group to complete TOEFL #2: Reading.

Days 17-18

Visit San Francisco

Explore thrilling San Francisco for 2 straight days!

After a quick hotel breakfast (cost included) each day, a charter bus (cost included) will drop your small group off in Union Square, a tourist hotspot featuring restaurants, shops, and museums. Here, you can hop aboard a vintage cable car (cost included for entire 2-days of riding) and travel throughout the city on any of the system’s 3 cable lines. A pass is also included for unlimited city bus or streetcar rides.

Stop at the bottom of Lombard Street, the world’s most crooked street, and take a great picture. If you are ambitious, challenge yourself to walk up the steep 600-foot curvy slope!

Spend hours at Fisherman's Wharf listening to street performers, visiting the colony of sea lions, or checking out famous restaurants. Pier 39 is loaded with attractions, activities, and shops. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave without indulging in a decadent chocolate dessert in Ghiradelli Square.

Take a narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise (ticket included) and see the Golden Gate Bridge from the water—journey alongside Alcatraz, Angel Island State Park, and the shores of Sausalito. Watch for sea lions, seals, dolphins, whales, and pelicans as you cruise.

Venture back over the bay via ferry (cost included) to visit the infamous Alcatraz Prison (ticket included). Listen to an optional audio tour as you make your way through the prison property and learn about the well-known escape attempts of some of America’s most notorious prisoners.

Admire the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier. Take in the sights and sounds of the city’s sea-faring past with a collection of vessels from the 1890s. Take an audio tour of one of these historic ships.

At the Aquarium of the Bay (ticket included), you can observe more than 20,000 marine animals, including sharks, octopuses, jellyfish, and playful river otters. This museum features walk-through glass tunnels to view animals swimming above you and touch pools to get up close to the marine life of San Francisco Bay.

Before leaving the city, check out some other famous sites, including the North Beach neighborhood, known for its vibrant Italian-American community, and Chinatown, which has the world’s biggest Chinese population outside of Asia. Nob Hill, a swanky area with one of the highest-income neighborhoods and most expensive real estate markets in the United States might be interesting. Take time for a photo in front of Francis Ford Coppola’s Cafe Zoetrope or the literary landmark City Lights bookstore. Stop by Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe, known for its delicious clam chowder served in a freshly baked sourdough bowl.

Enjoy two days of diverse, delicious lunches (cost included) and dinners (cost included) during your tour of exciting San Francisco!

On both evenings, a charter bus (cost included) will bring you back to the hotel to rest.

Day 19

Visit Universities

Morning

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will bring you to the University of California Davis, rated #89 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL: 80). Here, you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Have lunch (cost included) on campus.

Afternoon

A charter bus (cost included) will take you to the University of California, Berkeley, rated #5 on the U.S. News & World Report of Best Global Universities (minimum TOEFL: 90), our final college on the tour. Here, you will experience the campus first-hand, view dorms, classrooms, and facilities, and ask questions of current students and administrators. Eat dinner (cost included) on campus before returning to the hotel.

Evening

After settling into the hotel for the evening, meet with your small group to complete TOEFL #3: Listening. Then, pack your belongings and get a good night’s rest.

Day 20

Transition to Santa Monica

Morning

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will bring you to a new hotel (cost included) in Santa Monica. Travel time is ~5.5 hours. A boxed lunch (cost included) will be provided on the bus.

Afternoon

Settle into your new hotel, unpack, and freshen up. Then, meet your small group to begin TOEFL #4: Speaking.

Evening

Take an extended break to grab dinner (cost included) at a restaurant within walking distance, or choose to have food delivered to your hotel. When your group finishes dinner, complete the rest of TOEFL #4.

Day 21

Visit Santa Monica

After a hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will drop your group off at Santa Monica Pier, where you will enjoy a fabulous day at the beach. This famous pier symbolizes Santa Monica, one of the most photographed locations in the world. With its breathtaking views, ocean breezes, and white-capped waves, Santa Monica will not disappoint!

Ride the Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and more with an unlimited ride wristband (cost included), or play several carnival games. Street performers, vendor carts, and shops offer even more to experience throughout your day, giving you plenty to do.

Rounding out a good time on the beach, you can participate in a small-group surf or paddle board lesson (cost included). Practice your new skills in the salty Pacific Ocean with an all-day rental of board & wetsuit (cost included).

Swim, build sand castles, or sunbathe to your heart’s delight. Enjoy lunch (cost included) and dinner (cost included) on the pier or in a nearby restaurant before returning to the hotel for the night on a charter bus (cost included).

Day 22

Finish TOEFL & Farewell Banquet

Morning

Enjoy a leisurely hotel breakfast (cost included) and meet with your group to complete TOEFL #5: Essay Writing.

Afternoon

Take a Practice TOEFL test and then review the answers with your group. Your college mentor will explain why each answer is the best and discuss how you can improve. A light lunch (cost included) will be catered at the hotel.

Evening

Celebrate your English Immersion University Tour with a fun farewell banquet with the entire group. Experience an American celebration with music, dancing, dinner (cost included), and laughter. Take lots of photos and share stories from your trip to America!

Pack your bags and get a good night’s rest.

Day 23

After a final hotel breakfast (cost included), a charter bus (cost included) will take you to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where you will depart from the USA. Travel through the night on a long flight (cost included) home to China. Wear comfortable clothes, bring plenty of snacks, and be prepared to sleep as much as possible.

Day 24

Arrive in Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Beijing (PKX), or Shenzhen (SZX) airport. Welcome home!