Kimberly, chemistry & biology teacher
Kimberly wanted to give her students the experience of educational travel, but had many apprehensions: No one else in her school led trips, and at just 23 years old, she worried that parents might not take her seriously. “I look like I’m 15,” she jokes, “and I’d never been outside the country.” She knew she needed to find a supportive travel company that would help her through the process.
“What attracted me to Explorica was the website,” Kimberly begins. “Unlike with other companies I could see the pricing right away, and everything was clear.” Once she spoke with an Explorica program consultant, her decision was made. “Laura was great. She explained all the different options and helped get me everything I wanted. I was nervous about pitching it to the parents, but she sent me a PowerPoint and other materials.” Kimberly aced the meeting, and 11 students enrolled. Her trip was official.
“Once the tour began, the tour director did everything,” Kimberly says. “She was completely prepared and so organized. We always felt safe, and she definitely had our best interest in mind.” Kimberly fondly recalls a time when the tour director even assumed the role of a mother figure to a homesick student. “She was firm, but comforting, and helped the student understand that she was going to be okay. That happened within the first couple days, and then the student was fine. By the end of the tour, no one wanted to go home. They were even crying and hugging the bus driver! It’s incredible what these trips do for the kids.”
Learn more about traveling to Latin America with your students by visiting explorica.com/latinamerica or call 1.888.310.7120.