There’s something magical about watching a student step into a centuries-old cathedral for the first time, or hearing their laughter echo through the alleyways of a European neighborhood as they order gelato in the target language. As a high school Spanish teacher, I’ve found that few things rival the joy of seeing your classroom come to life—abroad.

In 2022, I took the leap and partnered with EF Educational Tours to lead my very first student trip. We ventured through the heart of Spain, visiting unforgettable cities like Granada, Sevilla, Córdoba, Madrid, and Barcelona. (Spoiler alert: The churros con chocolate hit differently after a day at the Alhambra.) Since then, I’ve led my students through the cobblestone streets of Paris, the buzzing markets of London, the colorful chaos of Barcelona, the timeless beauty of Rome, Florence, and Pisa, the charming villages of Tyrol, and the Bavarian elegance of Munich. And the journey continues—Italy is on the horizon again next spring.

But let me be clear: I’m not a travel agent. I’m a teacher. Thankfully, EF handled all the logistics—from flights and hotels to meals and museums—so I could focus on what really mattered: preparing my students (and their parents) and then simply enjoying the ride. My job was to build excitement, host a few parent meetings, send out reminders, and recruit my little crew of globe-trotters. Once we were off the ground, I stepped into the best part—soaking it all in alongside them as chaperone, sharing in their joy and witnessing their horizons expand.

There’s a unique kind of fulfillment in seeing students—all from my Title I school, some of whom had never even left our state/country—marvel at the Eiffel Tower, practice their Spanish in Barcelona, or try their first authentic Italian pizza in Florence. These are the kinds of experiences that shape not just scholars, but whole human beings.

Classroom learning is foundational—but travel? Travel is transformational.

It’s in the shared moments of awe, curiosity, and even a bit of homesickness that students begin to grow. They learn to see the world—and themselves—through a broader, more compassionate lens. They become more confident, curious, and culturally aware. In short, they become better citizens of the world.

If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of organizing a student trip, let this be your sign: do it. Say yes. Plant the seed. Let your students see that the world is much bigger than the square footage of your school building—and that they belong in it.

I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes stories and travel tips in upcoming blog posts, but for now, consider this your friendly nudge to bring the world into your students’ lives—one passport stamp at a time.

Because sometimes, the best lessons aren’t found in textbooks… they’re waiting just beyond the gate at Terminal 2.