What inspired you to travel abroad?
Both of my parents are from Europe, so I’ve always had a desire to see Europe, but no one my age to go with.
Why did you choose Travel For Teens?
My parents and I really liked the emphasis on safety and travel authenticity that Travel For Teens stands for.
Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy
What was your favorite part about Italy?
During one part of our trip, our leaders took us to a beautiful private Tuscan villa. The villa was owned by a wonderful Italian man who showed us his winery, taught us to make traditional pasta, and let us hang out in his pool all afternoon and enjoy the view. The sight was simply indescribable and I loved every moment of being there.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
On this trip, I truly met so many great friends. Travel For Teens groups the programs by age and focuses on group positivity. No matter where we went or how the day was going, we learned to look for the upside and embrace the culture we were experiencing. And on top of that, we got to spend the time witnessing some of the most breathtaking cities.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Our trip leaders were very helpful. They made sure we had a fun and safe time wherever we were visiting. Even back at the hotels they were very accommodating and helped us get settled. TFT also knew locals in the cities we visited, so it was nice to have a secured local friend to ask about the city.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have focused more on the smaller cities. Hidden neighborhoods are truly the most authentic part of traveling and I wish we could have spent more time in the small places with local shops and activities.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
After having breakfast at our hotel, we’d head out to our first location for the day. This was usually around 8:00-9:00 a.m. This location would have been a monument or museum. After visiting those places we’d break into smaller groups around a neighborhood for some lunch and exploring. I typically picked up a few souvenirs at that time. Then we’d meet up again and head off to some more fun locations to explore. We did a lot of walking. Later on we’d head out to dinner, and maybe grab a gelato treat on the way home. It really depends on the trip and location, but this is the basic daily format.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I loved shopping in small neighborhoods and taking photos with my friends. I also liked to talk to locals in shops a bit when we went exploring. We fortunately had lots of time to do this.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We stayed in beautiful, family-run hotels. They were all clean and well managed. Typically travelers would stay in groups of two or three in hotel rooms. I liked that me and my roommates got to chill in the evenings and mornings and have a good time in the hotel when we weren’t out exploring. There were many instruments and creative things we could do in the common areas and always a beautiful view from our windows.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It’s important to pack only what you need and plan outfits, shoes, and other needs beforehand. It keeps you prepared so you can focus on your travels. Also, try to go into your program with an open mind. You’ll enjoy yourself more.
Would you recommend Travel For Teens to others? Why?
Absolutely. Being on this trip made me never want to leave. Traveling really opens your eyes to other cultures and points of view. Not to mention all the fun you’ll have with your new best friends.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Like I mentioned before, traveling opens your eyes to the world. There is so much to see and learn from the world, so why would you stay at home?
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
For months after I came home, the feeling of optimism stayed with me. I felt more excited to learn about things in my everyday life. I also learned that I want to see so much more of the world in my adulthood, and I still have more to see.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means that you learned about a different place and you felt inspired by it. Not only did you learn of architecture and history, but of the difference between your surroundings growing up and the lives of people around the world. It’s traveling that means something to you.
