As 2024 draws to a close and we prepare to embark on a new year, we can’t help but be excited about all that lies ahead when it comes to planning and executing student travel adventures in 2025. And once you’re done enjoying holiday festivities with loved ones, take a moment to read some of these top tips from the last year as you’re dreaming up your next student trip.
Start your trip planning early!
Give yourself way more time than you think you need to get the ball rolling on all the details of your trip. Not only does planning early allow the greatest opportunity to secure all of your preferred activities and venues, it also gives you more time to get more students on the trip while also allowing them more time to fundraise.
Establish a budget early on.
By creating a budget, you can go into the planning process knowing exactly what’s realistic for your student group. The ETI team understands how important it is to adhere to a set budget and are therefore experts at customizing your trip itinerary to not only meet your expectations for educational value, but also in terms of budget. If you’re not sure what your budget might be, just ask us! We can help select a destination and activities that work for your needs.
Prioritize fundraising and think outside the box!
Although fundraising can be hard work, it’s a great opportunity to bring transformative travel experiences within reach for students! It also presents a chance for communities to come together and support the next generation of learners. Set yourself up for fundraising success by starting early and doing things like offering payment plans, seeking out scholarships (like those made available by SYTA's Youth Foundation), and selling goods and services.
Have an open-door policy with parents leading up to your trip.
It’s absolutely integral to make yourself available to answer any questions students and parents may have about your trip. Ensure your contact information is easily found and share your willingness to answer questions for anyone, at any time. Parents will feel more at ease knowing you’re available and willing to keep the lines of communication open and clear. This includes sharing paperwork and holding a number of open informational meetings for interested parents and students. It’s also smart to keep track of any questions you receive and then publish a list of FAQs for future use.
For international travel, have up to date medical information available in multiple languages.
If you and your students are traveling to a country or region where a language other than English is spoken, having medical documents available in that language—in addition to English—is vital. Knowing how to ask for help in the local language is also a good idea. Google translate can help with this.
Don’t be afraid to try something new!
The beauty of a new year is that endless opportunities for new experiences abound. Whether it’s a new historic destination, festival, theme park or otherwise, the excitement around planning your next student trip can be heightened even further by stepping outside of your comfort zone to bring your class somewhere they’ve never been! Luckily, there’s plenty of “new” to explore in 2025.
Courtesy of ETI.
