Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from Attendees
The American Leadership Academy (ALA) exists to support programs that provide education and training for college students and alumni in the areas of leadership, scholarship, service, citizenship and free enterprise. The programs supported by the ALA will promote the value of education, ethics, leadership, citizenship, patriotism and service, and healthy and successful lifestyles. They also will provide marketable skills attendees can use immediately.
The current educational programs, held during winter and spring break periods in Los Cabos, Mexico, originated almost 20 years ago. Since then, several thousand men from more than 100 campuses across the nation have participated in an outstanding educational experience. Many have returned to their campuses significantly changed and enthused, and we’ve received hundreds of letters and E-mails reinforcing that our program has a positive impact.
Since we’ve been doing this for a while, let us try to answer some of the most common questions people have about the program and travel to Mexico.
Q: What is the American Leadership Academy program?
A: It’s a one-week program that brings successful, accomplished alumni and friends from many different professions together with current undergraduates to exchange ideas, provide a forum for discussion and teach life-lessons and skills learned during their lives after college. It is an inspirational, motivational and educational experience for men who want to be more effective leaders and more successful in whatever career choice they may pursue.
It’s not meant to be just a subsidized Spring Break or a parting gift for seniors. You are expected to attend the classes and participate fully in the program. If you aren’t coming for this purpose, or are not interested in working to be a better leader, or learning from successful professionals, please go somewhere else for Spring Break.
Q: Who should attend?
A: Priority for registration will go to freshmen, sophomores and juniors who have not already attended (Seniors are welcome in January, but there is rarely room for them in March). Generally, those in your group who aspire to leadership, or who are focused on success – both in college and after – are the best prospects. Look for men with ability and potential, even if they haven’t used it yet. The ALA will give them a head start on their peers and make them more valuable to your group and its future success.
Q: What does it cost?
A: The base registration fee is $150. There is a $50 discount if you complete registration by the deadlines (see above) and another $25 off for two letters of recommendation, so there is good incentive for planning early. In addition, you must pay your own airfare. In the past two years, airfare has averaged about $575 round-trip, but pricing will depend upon your location and how early you purchase your tickets.
Once you arrive, your airport shuttle, 6 nights shared room, all-you-can-eat meals, and all program materials are provided. The hotel provides buses into town and back most evenings, so there are few additional costs, other than your entertainment expenses.
To put it in perspective, here are registration fees for comparable programs that serve the fraternity/student community (these prices do not include travel expenses):
NIC’s IFC Academy (1 day)…..$125 NIC’s Futures Quest (2 days)…..$395-$495
Phi Psi’s WWLS (4 days)……..$250 NIC’s UIFI (5 days)……………….$435-$495
LeaderShape (6 days)………$1,475
And what would a beachfront hotel in Los Cabos normally charge for Jan./Mar.? An online search found an average rate of $185 a night (w/out tax and fees). Narrow it down to the beach where we stay and the price increases to $305 a night – almost $2,000 for the week, not including meals and programming! The actual cost to ALA to host you is over $500 per student. Generous donors to the ALA underwrite this expense.
The important thing for prospective attendees to remember is, plan and budget early. Airline tickets tend to be more affordable early in the fall and get much more expensive after Thanksgiving. There are ideas for how to find or raise funds, at our website.
Q: How do I apply to Attend? How do I sign up?
A: Every campus should have a student contact to work with the ALA to promote the program to members and coordinate the reservation and registration process. When attendees are selected, he will submit a reservations form to see if there is space available for the number of attendees and the session/s or week/s preferred. Do not purchase airline tickets until this is done.
If space is available, each student will receive an email to confirm your reservation and provide information on purchasing tickets. You should plan to arrive and depart on the start and end dates for each session – the first and last days are travel days. We have limited ability to allow you to arrive early or depart late. If space is available, there will be a cost to you for extra room nights. Contact the ALA before purchasing the tickets, if the only flights are outside the session dates.
We have a partner travel agent who can work to find you the best possible rates and will provide 24/7 support during your trip. After purchasing tickets, you will go online and create your registration record. You should be ready to provide your itinerary/flight details, emergency contact information, passport number and pay the registration fee by credit card or online check. You must have a valid passport to travel between the U.S. and Mexico.
When you complete your registration, you’ll get a confirmation email with more info about travel to Mexico, what to bring, and what to expect when you arrive. Then, just let us know if your itinerary changes. We’ll assign your room, arrange your airport shuttle, and see you in Los Cabos!
Q: Is travel to Los Cabos safe?
A: Travel to any foreign country has its challenges, but travel to Los Cabos has become a regular event for many in the U.S. Los Cabos has ten major airlines and a modern airport that serve the region. As one of Mexico’s most active and popular resort areas, the community caters to U.S. visitors, so English is spoken widely. Cabo has a Costco, Sam’s, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and OfficeMax to serve the community, as well as many of the usual U.S. fast food establishments.
NOTE: Recently, there have been concerns about violence in Mexico related to drug cartels. Because Los Cabos is 1,000 miles south of the border and separated from the Mexican mainland by the Sea of Cortez, it is insulated from most of the problems in the rest of the country. Many consider it one of the safest tourist destinations in Mexico. There are no current U.S. State Dept. warnings or alerts related to violent crime in the area. Link to the State Dept. page about Spring break in Mexico HERE.
ALA attendees receive orientation before the program to acquaint you with Los Cabos, hotel policies, answer your questions, and outline our expectations. We expect attendees to be good guests, both at the hotel and in town. There is crime in Los Cabos, as in most American cities, but it is not the violent drug-related crime affecting other parts of Mexico. Stay with friends and stay aware and you’re not likely to be a target.
Q: Is the water safe to drink? What about food?
A: Yes. Unlike some other areas in Mexico, the water system in Los Cabos is very modern and water and ice at hotels and restaurants is safe. Our hotel has a biologic and ultraviolet filtering system for extra safety. The food staff are licensed professionals and regular health and safety checks are done in the restaurant and bar areas. Food is purchased from proven suppliers.
NOTE: Where there have been problems, they have been associated to food from street vendors in the towns, usually late at night, as bars and restaurants close. There are very few health or licensing regulations for these food carts and some keep serving food past its expiration date. We recommend you do not purchase from these vendors.
Q: What about alcohol?
A: The drinking age in Mexico is 18 and we expect all attendees to be 18 or older. Alcohol is sold and can be consumed at the hotel and at most other hotels, restaurants and clubs. If you have not done so before, this is an excellent opportunity to have a talk with your parent/s about use and misuse of alcohol and their expectations. You will need proof of age to enter most bars.
Students who choose to consume alcohol will be expected to do so responsibly. Public intoxication is a crime in Mexico and police are most vigilant during college break seasons. In addition, drunkenness, fighting, damaging property, or the possession of any illegal or controlled substance is cause for the hotel to evict attendees or call police.
Q: How much money should I bring? Do I need to convert my dollars?
A: Students are expected to furnish their airfare and bring spending money for entertainment purposes. Once you arrive, the ALA pays for your room, three meals a day, your airport shuttle, buses into town some evenings, and all educational materials – a cost to ALA of over $500 per student.
The spending money you will need can range from $100 to as much as $500, depending on your interests. Golf at many of the resort courses is $200+, but there are many low cost activities – snorkeling, ATVs, horseback riding, jet skis or parasailing all are about $50 – much the same as U.S. resort areas. Food and drink prices downtown are consistent with U.S. resorts. The hotel’s concierge services can help with recommendations. Most students arrive with $100-200 in US dollars and use their ATM card if they need more.
It’s not necessary to arrive in Los Cabos with pesos. Most restaurants and clubs take U.S. dollars (though at a low exchange rate), as well as most major credit cards. American Express cards and travelers checks are not as widely accepted as Visa and MasterCard, because of higher fees charged to redeem them. Also, most ATM cards will work in ATMs in Los Cabos. The bank ATMs are most reliable and will provide cash in pesos. The exchange rate will be the daily international banking rate, so is much better than currency exchange kiosks. You will need a credit or debit card to check in to the hotel. They require a $50 damage deposit per resident.
Q: What about medical emergencies?
A: The local police and health care systems are very capable. You should contact your parents to determine whether your home or college medical coverage is active while you are in Mexico. Then get the phone number and instructions needed to contact your provider, in case you are injured. The ALA requests emergency contact information for all attendees, so please provide your parent/guardian’s contact information when you register, in case there is an emergency. Also, it is important you alert us to any medical conditions that may limit your participation or require our assistance, such as food allergies, epilepsy, sleepwalking, etc. Please indicate this during your online registration.
NOTE: The ALA carries major emergency coverage only, which includes medical evacuation to the U.S. for life-threatening injuries that cannot be treated locally. This is not comprehensive coverage, so it doesn’t help with broken bones or minor injuries. We can refer you to agents for an affordable short-term traveler’s policy, if you do not have other health coverage. The hotel also has a doctor on call, at a reasonable cost.
Q: Where will I stay?
A: Marbella Suites en la Playa is a public beachfront hotel about 20 miles from the Los Cabos airport. Located mid-way between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, it is on the public bus line and convenient to many of the activities which make Los Cabos so popular to tourists. The ALA rents the hotel for 5 to 8 weeks each year for its educational programs. During the rest of the year, the hotel rents to the general public and to private and corporate groups.
The hotel has 41 suite-style rooms, meeting facilities, a restaurant, pool and bar, fitness room, computer lab and a phone room where you can make unlimited free calls back to the U.S. In fact, one of the first requests we make when you arrive is that you call home to let your parent/s know you have arrived safely. We also recommend you continue to call during your stay.
Q: What is the ALA program like?
A: Unlike some leadership programs that keep participants tied up from dawn to dusk, the Cabo Leadership Experience provides 4-5 hours of classes a day. These sessions are led by CEOs, entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, scientists, educators and other proven professionals. We also have professional speakers join us on topics specific to college students and success.
The goal is to help you identify and choose the best habits to make you successful in college and in life, and work with you – via alumni mentors, discussion, skill building and interaction with peers – to develop focus, direction and an action plan for your success. Perhaps the most productive time will actually be outside the classroom as you process the information with alumni and your peers and decide whether/how the concepts apply to you.
Afternoons are free to nap, enjoy the beach, or hop a bus and explore Los Cabos. There is snorkeling, golf, ATV or horseback riding, shopping – even sport fishing – a short ride from the hotel. The hotel staff can make recommendations, regardless of your interests. All meals are provided at the hotel and the hotel provides a shuttle service several evenings to Cabo San Lucas and back, so you can enjoy the nightlife. These shuttles run from 9:30 pm to 1 or 2 am and are operated by the same licensed provider used by many hotels on the tourist corridor.
Q: How can I be reached, if there is an emergency at home?
A: The hotel has a toll-free number for calls from the U.S and a direct line to the front desk, which always should be manned by someone with good English skills. Complete contact information is as follows. Make sure your parents have this information…
Marbella Suites en la Playa
Carret. Transpeninsular KM 17.5 S/N Col. Cabo Real
San Jose del Cabo, BCS 23450 MEXICO
Toll-Free Phone from U.S. (daytime – Mountain time zone): (866) 654-6160
Front Desk (24/7 or after-hours from U.S.): (520) 232-2506
Website: www.MarbellaSuites.com
Q: Is this experience really worth it
A: That kind of depends on why you’re attending, but the vast majority of students who attend, say this was the trip of a lifetime. Here’s the deal – if your goals for Break are to sleep late and party all night, there are a lot of other places where you can do that much cheaper than Cabo. We recommend you save your money (and our time) and go there.
However, if you’re looking for an experience that will help you focus on success and position yourself to be a top candidate for employment after graduation, this is the place to spend your time. As a previous attendee put it,
“The money I paid for my plane ticket was one of the best investments I’ve ever made. ALA gives you the tools to change your life… you won’t come back the same.”
I mean, really, how many opportunities do you get to have lunch with a founder of TicketMaster, an advisor to U.S Presidents, or a former Special Forces officer who grew up in the Middle East? In this job market, can you afford to pass up an opportunity to make yourself a more competitive job candidate? The fact that it happens to occur in one of the most beautiful beach locations in the world is just icing on the cake.
Contact Us.
If you have additional questions, we welcome your calls at 877-257-1458, or by E-mail at Info@AmericanLA.org. You can find out more about the ALA and our program on our website at www.AmericanLA.org. You also may write us at P.O. Box 245, Zionsville, IN 46077-0245.
Our travel partner for this year is Canyon Creek Travel. They provide full travel services, as well as 24/7 assistance before and during your trip. Call the ALA travel desk at (866) 415-4900. Ask for Lynn Barrera.
Additional Resources on Travel to Mexico/Los Cabos:
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb2/Visitmexico/Visi_Home
http://www.bajainsider.com
http://www.mexico.us/
http://www.loscabosguide.com/
http://www.caboweather.com/