Planning an international student tour requires thoughtful consideration of many factors to ensure a safe, smooth, and enriching experience. These trips allow students to immerse themselves in new cultures, traditions, and languages, offering a unique educational opportunity beyond the classroom. Ultimately, international school tours help shape students into well-rounded individuals with a broader worldview.
If you are considering presenting the idea of an international trip to your school, we have prepared a step-by-step guide to help you draft a plan for your international tour:
Here are some reasons why you might consider planning a school excursion well in advance and using a specialist school travel agency to manage this for you.
Define the Purpose and Goals:
Clearly define the purpose and goals of the international tour. Are you focusing on language immersion, cultural exchange, or a combination of both?
Identify your Cohorts Needs:
Determine the age group you are planning for the trip, as this affects appropriate inclusions and may influence destination suitability. Consider specific interests, essential programs, and wish-list attractions.
Choose a Destination:
Choose a destination that aligns with educational goals and offers a rich cultural experience. A specialist school travel agency adds value with local connections, recommending programs, accommodations, and attractions to maximize the student experience.
Establish a Budget:
Create a detailed budget that includes travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation, language courses, cultural activities, and contingency funds. Don’t forget extra costs like passports, visas, and personal items.
Away We Go Tours will tailor your itinerary to fit within your budget without compromising educational value. Flights often account for a large portion of costs, so our top tip is to book 11 months in advance when flights first become available for the best rates.
Select Dates and Duration:
Discuss with your consultant suitable dates, consider school calendar events, destination weather, ideal travel seasons, and local festivals. Experiencing cultural events can add great value to the tour. You may not want to avoid these local events, but plan to experience them to add further value to the overall experience.
Expression of Interest & Pre-Trip Meetings:
Sending an early EOI helps organisers gauge student interest, which is essential for planning transportation, accommodations, activities, and budgeting. Setting a deadline encourages prompt responses, ensuring decisions can be made in a timely manner.
Organise Pre-Trip Meetings to address any concerns, provide detailed trip information, and easily obtain parental permissions. These meetings ensure that parents and students are well-informed and feel comfortable about the travel plans.
What AWGT can Offer
Away We Go Tours will be your dedicated partner from the moment you reach out to us for a quote until you return home. With us, you’ll have a single point of contact throughout the entire trip, ensuring seamless communication and that your school’s specific needs are prioritised every step of the way.
Our team handles all transportation logistics, including flights, ground transportation, meals, attractions, educational programs and accommodations. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive itinerary and address all pre-departure requirements, ensuring that the experience is enjoyable for both students and accompanying teachers.
If you need help or would just like to explore some of the options for your school, reach out to our team, we have experienced international destinations specialists who have created some amazing itineraries that they would love to share with you.
Request a Quote and select School Excursions- International
02 6456 4033
1300 138 812
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