High school travel programs offer students and older adults opportunities to volunteer, study, and grow personally. Ensuring safety, however, is essential when choosing a program.
This guide outlines key questions to ask and provides insights to help you find the right program for a valuable and secure experience.
Understanding high school travel programs
High school travel programs combine adventure, education, and cultural immersion. Whether you’re interested in volunteer abroad programs, study abroad programs, or gap year opportunities, it’s essential to prioritize safety.
Participants gain new skills, life experience, and personal growth through cultural activities and volunteering abroad. Programs like semester abroad or study abroad for college students and older adults help develop a deeper understanding of the world.
What safety standards are in place?
Before joining a program, verify its safety policies:
- Background checks: make sure staff are properly checked
- Health and supervision protocols: Are there clear rules for day-to-day life, such as medical care and supervision ratios?
- Travel insurance: Confirm that the program provides coverage for accidents or emergencies
Safety standards should align with local regulations and exceed industry norms
How are risks managed?
The best programs manage risks effectively. For example:
- Country-specific assessments: Check how programs assess risks for regions like South America or Costa Rica
- Emergency plans: Do they plan for political instability, natural disasters, or other crises?
- Proactive guidance: Students participating in volunteer programs or cultural immersion should know the boundaries of safe travel
Tip: Programs with a long history of operations often have proven methods to ensure participants can focus on learning and growing.
What are the travel company policies that protect against bullying?
Every teen creates their own path to adulthood so it’s important that providers of high school travel programs have an inclusivity policy that allows them to s
afely express their individuality without fear of judgment or ridicule.
These policies should not tolerate physical, emotional, or social-media bullying or any type of intimidation. If something does happen, students should know how they can report an incident privately and confidentially.
What is the travel company’s inclusivity policy and what does it include? How are staff trained to support inclusivity and what is the process when a situation arises? Ask for a copy of the policy and discuss any specific concerns you have prior to travel.
Who oversees students during the program?
Program leaders play a crucial role in ensuring safety and guiding participants through cultural activities and education. Most travel companies outsource parts of their program operations to local partners, like transportation or adventure activities providers.
Partnering with local providers supports the communities where your teen travels while also leveraging the expertise of trained professionals in specific fields.
Ask these questions:
- Are leaders certified? Look for certifications in first aid, CPR, or wilderness training.
- What experience do they have? Staff with experience in education, volunteering, or working abroad are ideal.
- Is there adequate supervision? Check for participant-to-staff ratios (8:1 or better).
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What emergency plans are provided?
Comprehensive emergency planning sets the best programs apart:
- Emergency contacts: Is there a 24/7 hotline for families and participants?
- Evacuation plans: What steps are in place for political or natural crises?
- Past examples: Ask how previous emergencies were resolved.
Every organization should have a validated crisis management plan with regularly-conducted simulations to exercise plans and responder skill sets.
Are fees and financial support clear?
Program fees can vary widely depending on the destination, duration, and activities. Ensure transparency by asking about:
- Inclusions: Do fees cover accommodation, meals, cultural activities, and travel insurance?
- Financial aid: Look for scholarships or grants to reduce costs.
- Additional costs: Understand any extra expenses, such as airfare or optional excursions.
Pro Tip: Well-structured programs outline financial expectations clearly and help students explore scholarships.
Popular destinations for high schoolers
| Region | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Latin America | Journey to a secluded beach on the Pacific coast to help protect Costa Rican sea turtles |
| Africa | Volunteer abroad programs focusing on education, wildlife, and conservation |
| Europe | Study abroad courses and semester-long programs for college students. |
| Middle East | Cultural activities and language-based volunteer opportunities. |
| Oceania | Adventure-focused trips for personal growth and new skills. |
Programs often combine exploration, education, and cultural immersion to expand world views and push participants outside their comfort zones.
Choosing a high school travel program requires asking the right safety questions. Whether you’re interested in volunteering abroad, a semester abroad, or exploring cultural immersion opportunities, prioritize programs with robust safety standards, clear fees, and financial support. The experience will leave you with new friends, a broader world view, and valuable skills.
>> LEARN MORE: Visit Rustic Pathways for details on safe and enriching travel programs or Request a call from one of our global travel experts to learn more about Rustic Pathways spring break and summer travel programs for high school students.
Author: Scott
Updated: November 26, 2024