Should You Join a Group Travel Program? My First Experience
It’s so easy to be intimidated by international travel, especially without the comfort of your family or friends. I know I felt this way.
But there is so much out there to see that you could miss out on if you wait to plan with other people. As a beginner, the best way to go abroad on your own is to join a travel program. I did my first one in Peru when I was 17, and it was one of the best trips I had ever experienced.
Growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, I was so tired of everything around me looking the same.
I was surrounded by shopping centers and other neighborhoods, so I always dreamed of seeing new places. During the summer of my sophomore year of high school, I had the privilege of going on a two week trip to Peru through an organization called Global Leadership Adventures. This was my first time going abroad without my family and only my second time out of the country. I was nervous to be so far away from home, but it turned out to be my favorite trip I had ever been on.
Meeting New People
On this trip, I had the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Peru, trek in the jungle, and do volunteer work in the local community.
I thought it was amazing being able to sightsee while also giving back to the community. I also met other people in the group that were my age that had similar interests to me, which is one of the most valuable parts of the trip. When you travel with people you already know you are less likely to branch out and meet more people. By joining a group travel program, you get to travel with people who also want to meet new people while seeing the world.
Finding A Trip For You
There are a variety of types of group travel trips out there. Some are for teens, some for young adults, some that include volunteer work, and ones that don’t. You can easily find one out there that aligns with your interests.
One popular site for young adults is EF Ultimate Break. They have tons of exciting trips to choose from, whether it’s island hopping in Greece, or swimming with sea turtles in Ecuador. These trips are great for sightseeing and having some freedom to see what you want to see.
Volunteering In Peru
I appreciate doing volunteer work on trips abroad because I like to feel like I’m giving back to the community I’m visiting. I also think it allows me to have a much more immersive experience than sightseeing would.
During my trip to Peru, we helped build a volleyball court and a garden for a girl’s school in a small community called Ollantaytambo. We were able to meet the girls that attend the school, and work with the locals to help improve their schoolyard. It was a great way to give back to the area we were visiting, and learn about what it’s like to attend school there.
Cultural Immersion
In addition to doing volunteer work, we also learned a lot about the Peruvian culture, and seeing some of the best sights in the country.
We hiked some of the trail up to Machu Picchu, and learned about its incredible history. We also enjoyed trying new local foods each day, made fresh from local gardens and farms. I even got to learn Peruvian dance, which I loved even though I wasn’t any good!
So many lifelong memories were made on this trip, and I had never been so deeply immersed in the culture of a foreign country before. As a 17 year old, this trip was eye opening, and I couldn’t wait until I got to do it again. None of it would’ve ever happened if I had been too scared to sign up in the first place. It was out of my comfort zone, but sometimes you have to experience discomfort in order to experience amazing things.Â
More From The Blog
Related Posts
