High School Experiential Learning Programs in Italy

At first I was so nervous I had never been out of the country and I was going on this amazing trip all by myself without knowing anyone before hand. I wasn't sure if I would get along with the people on my trip or even become friends with any of them, but I was so wrong about. Not only were the people on my trip amazing and are people I still currently stay connected with and travel with, but my counselors were also the best. When I went on this trip it was during the massive heat wave so there were somethings that we couldn't do but our amazing counselors on our trip helped us to make sure we had the best time and got the most out of our trip. Even though we couldn't do what we originally had plan they made sure we did things even better. When in Greece we couldn't do one of our activities because the heat was so bad but our counselors decided to take us to the barbie movie and it was amazing. The trip in it's self was amazing from the places we went and visited, the shopping we did, the food we got to try, the activities we did, and the way we embraced the different cultures. Not only did I leave the trip learning and trying things from different cultures I lefts with so many new friend and people who I will and do still constantly stay in contact with. Two of the people I met on this trip I had actually visited them a few months later and then we went on another TFT trip this past summer together. Not only will I never forget them and the others I met but I will also not forget all the counselors that I had on this trip and the others.

Our son participated in the reciprocal exchange over summer, meaning our family hosted a great French student Achille for 3 weeks in San Diego and then our son spent 3 weeks in France with Achille’s family. It was so awesome for our family learning so much about French culture and having fun showing off California. Then our son had the best summer he could have asked for - he saw so much of France, beach, lakes & Paris (even going to the Olympics!) with a fabulous French family. Charlie’s French was SO much better afterwards. It really was the experience of a lifetime and the friendship and connection with Achille’s family is something we will treasure.