What inspired you to go abroad?
Ever since I was young, I had an urge to travel. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to travel in their lifetime. Being able to see another country and immerse yourself in the culture is an experience you can’t learn in a classroom or anywhere else. Experiencing other cultures helps us to see the world from a new perspective and have more appreciation for different ways of life.
Why did you choose Travel For Teens?
I chose this organization because they had a program that went to Scandinavia. They also had great reviews and a great staff.
Bergen, Norway
What was your favorite part about Scandinavia?
My favorite part was the locals. All of Scandinavia have the nicest people. All the locals were always friendly and very nice to talk to. The locals were all willing and excited to have conversations, and answered any questions. This helped open me to the culture because I could talk to them and ask questions about the town and such.
What made your experience abroad unique?
What made my experience unique is that I was surrounded by students from all over the country. Through TFT, you get to meet people from all over and it creates a very diverse environment.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The staff are very supportive and create an uplifting environment. I wasn't afraid to talk to the staff and I knew I could come to them with any problems. They truly care about the children and want the students to have a great time.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
Honestly, there is nothing I would've done differently. The trip was amazing.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
A typical day starts in the morning. We get up and eat breakfast, then head off for our daily activities. At the beginning of the trip each student is given a detailed itinerary. Each day there are fun activities to do and new experiences to try. We finish our daily activities and usually go back to the hotel to relax, and then off to dinner and bed.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoyed just hanging out with my friends and exploring the town.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
All the hotels we stayed in had free wifi and private showers. All of the places were clean and very nice to stay in.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
My advice for first-timers is don’t be nervous; I promise it will be great. On my trip when I first got to the airport and saw all these people I didn't know, I was nervous. Thoughts were running through my head like, “What if I don’t make any friends and I’m alone the whole trip?” I was worrying for nothing. It can be scary at first, but once everyone started talking and getting to know each other it was fun. I made lots of friends and wasn’t alone at all—you just have to break the ice. My other advice is try everything you can. Take in every experience and when given an opportunity, go for it, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Would you recommend Travel For Teens to others? Why?
I recommend Travel For Teens to everyone. The staff are welcoming and friendly, they truly immerse you in the culture and teach you to be travelers, not tourists. TFT gives you a diverse experience like no other program.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
I am forever grateful to Travel for Teens for giving me this opportunity. I will never forget the experiences and life lessons I learned abroad. It gave me new insight into the world that still impacts me today. I also met life-long friends who I still talk to.
