This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I got to work with the locals and donkeys! On the island of Corfu, Greece. After a long morning of volunteer work, we enjoyed a nice swim in the beautiful mediterranean sea. After spending a week in Greece we flew to Italy where we stayed in Rome at a very fun hostel with triple bunks. and Sorrento where we got a steps in for sure. and ate so much gelato! I got to meet so many new people and the memories of eating all together at dinner and just laughing like one big family will forever be a highlight to the trip!!

This is my first trip with TFT, and I went by myself. We were super busy the whole time with tons of amazing opportunities. I’d say my favorite day was kayaking to an island that we snorkel from, and saw tons of tropical fish. It was really cool to meet new people and try new foods. Though I didn’t love the people, all of the tour guides were amazing and I will try again next year in Greece and Italy. Navigating the airport and independently figuring things out was really a great experience. I would recommend for anyone who wants to get away and try something new.

Going to Australia and New Zealand was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Paragliding was insane, definitely the most unforgettable part, and getting to see kangaroos and koalas up close felt like something out of a movie. We spent time planting trees, which was actually really cool and made me feel like I was doing something good for the environment. Exploring Sydney, climbing the Harbor Bridge, and going to a rugby game gave me a real feel for the culture. Every day was packed with something new, and I still think about it all the time.

Being across the globe with people you’re unfamiliar with is quite scary. I anticipated activities that were fun and interesting, however I was totally shocked just how much fun and thought was put into planning the trip. In Australia we explored the amazing Great Barrier Reef multiple times. In New Zealand we curved through sharp rock formations in an exhilarating jet boat and paraglided over Queenstown. In Fiji we dove into turquoise beaches and played with local Fijian kids. But more than the activities were the connections made. We went in unfamiliar and left as a true family that still keeps in touch!

I was recently joined Travel for Teens for a community service trip to Belize! The counselors were amazing, the food was delicious, and I made so many new friends! We got to scuba dive two times a day, removing lionfish (invasive species) from the reef. We saw so many different kinds of fish, and when we weren't in the water, we got to learn all about them from the crew! We also got the wonderful opportunity to participate in building a nesting place for one of the native turtles to have her babies! It was only my third time diving, and it was a blast. The staff was incredibly helpful and welcoming. I have already booked another TFT trip for next year!

Overall the trip was a very fun and rewarding trip. A lot of my time in Fiji was spent doing very fun service. We worked with young kids at a local school and helped to improve their school buildings. In Australia, we did a lot of sight seeing. We also did lots of scuba diving and swimming at the great barrier reef. In Sydney, it was more walking and sight seeing which was also very fun and different. In NZ we did a lot of cultural immersion and adventure. This part of the trip was very fun and refreshing. Overall the trip was very fun and rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone.

I had so much fun during my time with TFT and I think many people will as well. It's a great program full of great people and you feel so fulfilled after doing your community service while also having fun. You're also meeting new friends and locals, while getting to see these countries through the eyes of a tourist and a local and it's so eye opening. TFT makes you see traveling through a new lens and it honestly is so amazing. I would recommend it to everyone.

This last summer (2023) I spent 3 weeks in Peru and Ecuador with TFT and it was an amazing experience. It was my third trip with Travel for Teens. Not only did I create strong friendships through the program but my eyes were also opened to new experiences and realities. I learned so much throughout my time with TFT, from staying with locals in a remote village in Peru, to volunteering at a sustainable farm in the Galápagos, and so many more once in a lifetime experiences. I am infinitely and inexpressibly grateful to have been able to participate in this program, and I will remember this trip for the rest of my life.