High School Experiential Learning Programs in Venice

My experience with world class programs can never be replicated. The program is so good that my only complaint is the heat outside, which isn’t even really a problem because the staff even think of that giving everyone fans. From the begging to the end I learned about Italian history and cuisine in an extremely interesting and enjoyable way. Everyone was kind and fun to be around, everywhere we went was presented in an incredible way and everything down to the food and rooms was extremely good

Italy was such a great trip. I got such a well rounded trip. I learned a lot of cool stuff some stuff I liked to learn about some I didn't care for as much but yet I am still glad I got to learn it all. I also got plenty of time to do my own thing explore shop hangout relax. I also got to see so many cool places, 8 different Cities. My favorite part of the trip is that the instructors are more like friends than teachers. This is my second trip with this program and I love the instructors. They Genuinely make the trip as good as it is. They are the perfect amount of strict for safety and learning but also laid back for fun and stress free. I love these trips so much. Highly recommend.

It was a very fun program where they taught us a lot about Itlay and I also enjoyed it so much that I did it twice. They gave us 3 to 4 hours of free time almost everyday was definitely one of the biggest highlight of the trip.They gave us enough time to do what we wanted. The staff was always supportive and you weren't forced into doing all of the activities if we didn't feel well or didn't want to. They tried to make the trip the most enjoyable as possible and we're very flexible with what we wanted to do. We also weren't in just one city we went all over the Italy visiting at least 9 cities.

My study abroad experience with World Class Programs was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the staff was truly exceptional – so supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made the trip unforgettable. I honestly wish I could have stayed longer! I learned an immense amount, particularly in subjects like color theory and various painting periods, which has been invaluable. This program provided such a rich and immersive learning environment. Highly recommend!

My teen travel photography program in Italy was one of the most transformative experiences I've ever had. I arrived not knowing anyone and unsure of what to do expect, but I left with new friends, new skills, and a new sense of confidence in myself and my creative abilities. Each day offered something different and unforgettable, from wandering through the narrow Florence streets with our cameras, learning how to tell a story through a single image, and challenging myself to photograph people, moments, and places that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I learned quickly that photography is not just about taking a pretty picture but about paying attention to being present and finding connection wherever you are. What surprised me most was how the trip helped me grow personally. Being far from home encourages me to step up, be independent, and say "yes" to things I might normally hesitate to try. By the end of the workshop, I felt braver, more open-minded, and more grounded in my own creativity. The counselors created a supportive environment where trying new things felt exciting instead of scary, and the group truly became a small community of its own. This program didn't just teach me how to take better photos, but it helped me see the world, myself, with a more curious and confident perspective. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for adventure, artistic growth, and meaningful connection.

My Italy trip with Travel For Teens was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Everything was super well organized and the leaders were really friendly and easy to be around. I liked that we had a mix of group activities and free time so we could explore on our own a little. The food was incredible and every day felt exciting. This trip made me feel more confident and more excited about traveling in the future. I would definitely recommend Travel For Teens to anyone who wants a fun and unforgettable experience in another country.

I can honestly say that the Italy photography workshop with TFT was the best trip I have ever taken. Everything was absolutely fantastic! From the straightforward process of meeting the group at the airport to exploring a variety of Italian cities, this program was absolutely unforgettable. I feel like it was a perfect balance of photography lessons and free time! I really appreciated how our group leaders allotted time for us to explore on our own and also participate in group activities. I would recommend TFT 10 times out of 10!

If you are looking for a trip where you can meet new people, try new things, see what the world has to offer, Travel for Teens is what you need! This programs offers so much from learning about history to meeting new people and making life long friends! The staff and crew you are with for the few weeks of adventure truly does feel like family and its hard to let go to them all at the end, but thats how you know your experience was worth it! From cooking classes, gondola rides, hiking village to village, eating authentic italian food, this trip really is the full package!

As an adventurous and curious teenager who loves everything to do with the Renaissance, Florence Italy with World Class Programs was a dream. Florence itself feels like you're going back to the time of the Renaissance. There are masterpieces everywhere, and it's such a small and welcoming city that you can get familiar with easily. For me, it felt like home. The program itself, first of all, is not a boring and formulaic program that will remind you of school. I know I was worried about papers and homework, because honestly after a long school year, everyone needs a break from that. Yet, without being assigned a single paper through the entire program, I learned more than an entire years' worth of a school course. The program is extremely immersive, and if you're learning anything at all, it's very likely you'll be standing right in front of whatever your topic is. Whether it be looking up at the David, or admiring a Medici's palace, you're learning simply by seeing and experiencing the culture of Italy, not counting the staff's instruction as well. I've also learned so much about the Italian culture, cuisine, and lifestyle, simply because I was given a taste of it for 3 weeks. And you're constantly around local Italians as well, it's not all just tourists. The experience is so new and so enlightening, and after it, I feel everyone needs to go to Italy at least once in their lifetime. It doesn't matter if you're not interested in history or the old masters of Italian art, or even in their delicious coffee and pasta, you'll still be blown away. There's something for everyone there. World Class Programs is also extremely lenient, and balances the schedule for students to have time to explore Florence with at least one other student/staff. (And trust me, you'll make friends if you want to. I made friends with groups of people who were a lot different than me, and I'm so glad to have met every single one of them) Exploring Florence without the direction of a staff member allows for a freedom that separates this program from others. You can be independent, shop, eat gelato, or sift through souvenir shops. You'll never run out of things to do in Florence, and I barely crossed off half the things on my list. As for the staff members, they were all so sweet, and work for you to have an amazing time 24/7. All in all, this program was easily the highlight of not only my summer, but the past years as well. It is definitely adventurous, and entails a lot of walking and exploring, but at least you have a home base in Florence, and the food makes it all worth it.

This program was so full and I learned so much I would definitely recommend this program to people who love being busy just know it’s a lot of walking and thier is a certain amount of maturity need to make this program enjoyable

We found World Class Program by chance at a high school fair and immediately liked their programs. Our daughter went on a trip last year with World Class and absolutely loved it. The director Derek and his staff are top notch. This summer she went back again, this time to Florence, and there was no question that it would be with Derek's team. They saw all the great art and history in Florence and learned so much about the local culture. And amazing!! food. My daughter hasn't stopped talking about the side trips, especially Venice. As a parent I loved the focus on health and safety without sacrificing anything in the experience.

This trip to Italy has truly been Amazing! We saw SO many cool landmarks and historical sights as well as incredible old art and statues including the David! The food there is incredible and so much better than in the states. The staff are also really helpful and supportive and genuinely care about each and every students safety and wellbeing and do their best to make sure everyone has a good time. If you choose to go on this trip you will have an AMAZING time!!! My favorite part of this trip is was when we got to ride bicycles on the old wall in Luca! It was an amazing view and just an incredible experience. I highly recommend this trip!

My 16 year old daughter attended the World Class Program trip to Italy in the Summer of 2024 and had a fantastic experience. The program staff were very communicative and provided plenty of details on the itinerary, activities and accommodations. My daughter got the chance to see another country with a group of American teens which allowed her to expand her worldview in a way that didn't feel too foreign. I would recommend the program to rising juniors or seniors in high school. My daughter is interested in attending a different trip next year with World Class Programs.

Being apart of the Abbey Road Florence program this summer was one of the best experiences in my life. I stayed 3 weeks with the program learning Art history, Cooking, and Photography from very helpful and approachable teachers. All the teachers/chaperones on the program went above and beyond in making sure students needs were met so we could have a more enjoyable trip. I am extremely grateful to have been apart of this program and can only wish to have stayed longer.

Best decision I've made for my son! Having never traveled overseas alone, he braved the experience, knowing no one involved, and came home with eyes wide open and a whole new perspective on the world. Derek and the team at World Class Programs were organized and communicative at all times. Seeing pictures posted through the program as well as the weekly diary let me see what he was experiencing every day. Next up is the Japan experience and we are beyond excited for his next adventure.

Best. Three. Weeks. Ever. I absolutely loved this trip and it was worth every penny. The staff was amazing and cooperative and did not make us feel like they just had power over us they were super understanding of any problem we had. My sister went on this trip 2 years ago and has not shut up about it since so I was worried mine would not be as good as her’s, boy was I in for it. I took art history and photography and both of my teachers were great and made the subject fun and not like a regular high school class. The living situation was great and I have no complaints there, and our rooms had lots of space. The food situation was very good and we were not cheaper out when It came to eating and the staff made sure I never went hungry. Each day we had a literary that was very planned out. It was nice to not have to worry about planning and to just be told where to be at what time, it was worth the money. I will recommend this trip to anyone, it was a great experience and perfect for my age (17). The staff was amazing and I even felt like they were all our age and not just adults that didn’t want to have any fun. We had freedom and free time to also do activities we wanted to do. The program almost seems too good to be true but trust me it is exactly as good as I am telling you and a beautiful experience for teenagers. I actually enjoyed the program so much I am also going to be doing the Japan program this summer. We were well taken care of and I made friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. Before this trip I hadn’t been away from my family for even a week, not even camp. For the first 3 days I was nervous about the trip and how I was going to do but by day four I was so comfortable and was getting close with the girls in my room and I never wanted to leave. I have traveled a lot and been to many countries and different vacations but the is trip is by far my favorite trip I have ever been on. This trip has been amazing for me to grown as a person and meet new people from different states and to be submerged into a brand new culture.

This study abroad program was such a great experience! Not only did it immerse me in Italian culture and lifestyle, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet a ton of new people and form lifelong relationships.

This trip was so much fun! I really had an amazing time, I was very nervous when I first started and on the first day I had already made so many friends and memories. I would recommend this trip to other people:)

Abbey Road’s Florence Program was amazing. The two classes I took, Italian Language and Art History, were taught by two extremely knowledgeable and approachable teachers. Everyone on this program was so kind and wanted to make sure we had the best experience possible. I am so grateful to this program for making it the best summer ever. Thank you so much!!

Abbey Road’s Florence Program was amazing. The two classes I took, Italian Language and Art History, were taught by two extremely knowledgeable and approachable teachers. Everyone on this program was so kind and wanted to make sure we had the best experience possible. I am so grateful to this program for making it the best summer ever. Thank you so much!!