Educational tours for students can be one of the most enriching experiences for high school students. Teenagers are at a place in their development where they seek – and, studies and experts say, require – independence.
But figuring out how to balance that thirst for independence while keeping these risk-prone young adults safe can be a tricky line to walk. But not with student travel tours.
Educational tours for students are perfect in this capacity because they nurture that feeling of independence – for many, these tours are the first time the student has spent significant time away from their parents – but in an environment that is totally safe. Better yet, they’ll learn something while they’re away (and get a valuable and tangible high school credit) ! You can’t ask for a better combination.
Let’s now answer some of the most common questions we get regarding student travel tours so you can get a better idea if this is the right choice for your child.
Are Student Travel Companies in Canada Safe for My Child?
Safety and security is the number one, absolute, primary concern at all times when your teenager joins one of our tours.
As one of the leading student travel companies in Canada, we’ve run hundreds of tours and have never had a major incident occur.
We’ve refined our tours over the years to make sure that every element of them is safe for your child and their classmates. Our teachers are experienced educators and tour leaders know how to keep the group organized, be mindful of any potential risks, and mitigate those risks at all times. Additionally, we carefully research the destination prior to our trip, so we can make sure we’re aware of any potential issues – and can work to address them before we even land.
When we take charge of your teenager, we assume that responsibility with the utmost seriousness. We work hard to make sure that your child will be just as safe in our ‘classroom’ as they would be in their homeroom – even if our ‘classroom’ might be in the Galapagos Islands or on the streets of Paris.
Better yet, our programs excel at developing independence in our students, helping to prepare them for post secondary life. They can have their first experience with responsible budgeting, time management, or even laundry (in some cases)!
What Will My Child Learn During Student Travel Tours?
One concern that we field all the time from parents is that they’re worried their child won’t actually get the educational value promised.
First, it’s worth noting that all of our courses are accredited and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This assures students will learn the same skills and gain the same knowledge as if they took the course in a traditional classroom, the only difference is the content is displayed in a real world context which is proven to develop a more meaningful and foster a deeper connection to the material.
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Next, we only work with certified Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) educators who are passionate about teaching and helping teenagers learn; they have to be around students for many more hours than usual, after all. Our teachers are all experienced with both the material and the destination, ensuring they can maximize the educational value of your child.
Finally, we’re constantly looking at ways to refine our curriculum and incorporate the latest and best teaching techniques. We want your teenager to return home not only having had a great time in Montreal, New York, Ecuador, or wherever they may have gone, but also be able to impress you with their newly-gained knowledge!
And here’s the best part: by taking learning out of the traditional classroom, our programs have actually been known to spark passionate affinities for the subjects. So students may gain more than just a high school credit and knowledge; they may leave the tour with a newfound passion.
Will My Child Get Good Grades on Your Educational Tours for Students?
While this may seem like a no-brainer, we actually get this question a lot. This is still school – your child will have to earn their grades, same as they would in a traditional classroom.
You’re paying for the hotel, food, tours, teaching, and the logistics of the trip – not for a guaranteed A on a report card.
But here’s the good news: we’ve designed our programs to be engaging, inclusive, intuitive, and intellectually palatable for students. We want our students to achieve their academic goals while stimulating their senses of wonder, independence, and appreciation for all the wider world has to offer.
In fact, we’ve seen students typically outperform their usual standards when on our tours. Here are reasons for that:
- Low teacher/TA-to-student ratio ensures students get more care and attention than in larger traditional classrooms. Our educators are trained to identify challenges they may be facing and quickly address them.
- Ideally, we want to instill passion for the subject into students. It’s a lot easier, after all, to feel the wonder of nature and animal biology when you’re actually seeing it in person in the Galapagos Islands or in Fiji than through a textbook. This almost always means your child will be more engaged, interested, and focused, which in turn leads to better learning outcomes and results.
- Our educators are chosen for their ability to help students overcome any learning obstacles they’re facing, using their years of experience to quickly remove them.
- Rather than be distracted by homework from several different courses, social outings, family affairs, etc., students have time to focus on a single subject, which often leads to higher grade point averages.
What Does the Tour Fee Cover?
The fee is all-inclusive.
Our high school educational tours for students are designed to make things as simple for you, the parent, and your child/our student.
Your fee will cover:
- Lodgings
- Breakfast and dinner
- Travel
- Logistics
- Tours
What Does the Average Day Look Like?
As one of the best student travel companies in Canada, over the years, we’ve figured out how to put together a tailored routine for each program that maximizes learning outcomes while still leaving room for exploration, rest, and fun.
While the typical day will vary depending on the program, here’s a sample routine of an high school English credit trip to Italy this summer:
Morning – First Thing
Breakfast and daily itinerary review
Morning – Excursion
Students head to the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon
Morning – Activity
Group goes to Trevi Fountain – bring a coin for a wish!
Lunch and Free Time
Students explore the Spanish Steps
Afternoon Activity
Read the poetry of Shelley and Keats at their final resting places
Late Afternoon
Return to the hotel for a meeting and work period with teaching staff
Dinner and Evening
Authentic Roman cuisine followed by a toga party!
Educational Tours for Students by EduTravel for Credit
Our high school student travel tours in Canada are widely recognized as some of the best in the country.
As one of the top student travel companies in Canada, we offer a wider variety of programs, so you’re bound to find one that fits your budget, child’s interests, and their age.
Our programs include:
- March Break Programs
- Art History in Europe – Grade 11/12
- Civics and Careers in Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City – Grade 10
- Environmental Studies in the Dominican Republic – Grade 11/12
- Fashion in New York City – Grade 12
- Hospitality and Tourism in Orlando – Grade 11/12
- International Business in New York City – Grade 12
- Photography in Europe – Grade 11/12
- World Religions in New York City – Grade 11
- Ski BC (Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership) – Grade 12
- Bon Appétit in Europe (Food and Culture/Nutrition and Health) – Grade 11/12
- Summer Programs
- Biology in Fiji – Grade 11/12
- Civics and Careers in Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City – Grade 10
- Environment and Resource Management in Fiji – Grade 12
- International Business in New York City – Grade 12
- Social Justice and Tolerance in Central Europe – Grade 11/12
- World Religions in New York City – Grade 11
- Canadian Geography – Grade 9
- French Connection (French) – Grade 11/12
- Biology in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 11/12
- Canadian History in France – Grade 10
- Data Management in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 12
- This Is America (English/Equity and Social Justice) – Grade 11/12
- California Dreamin’ (English/Writer’s Craft) – Grade 10/11
- English in the UK – Grade 11/12
Find out more about these amazing opportunities – learn abroad, travel, and grow.