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World Class Programs

Why choose World Class Programs?

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad and experience cultures from around the world. We hope to prepare students for an ever more globalized world while allowing them independence and exciting experiences abroad. Through our Experiential Learning Method students use hands on learning and immerse themselves in different cultures for the summer of a lifetime.

Founded
2016

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Embracing and celebrating the diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives of others is the foundation of World Class Programs.
We would be happy to discuss options for neurodivergent student support and for student accessibility.

Impact 🌎

We would be happy to answer any questions about our sustainable practices and our ethical impact.

Reviews

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Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best European summer

This was the best experience I could have ask for. This summer before college I wanted to spend doing something meaningful knowing that I would not have tons of opportunities to travel in the near future. This program is perfect for high schoolers or those who have just graduated that want a summer adventure in europe!! visiting 4 countries in 3 weeks is a deal whirlwind but in the best way possible. The best part for me was the week long cruise through the Greek islands especially because it was a great way to see history but also have some downtime to vacation and relax aboard the cruise. The cities we stayed in (Athens, Naples, and Rome) outside of the cruise gave so much history and knowledge of great ancient civilizations in europe. Overall this was the best way to spend my summer and it’s a trip I’ll remember forever !!

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Guinevere
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greece Trip! (+ Türkiye)

For me, this trip was a surprise offer, extended to me as an alumni who had expressed interest in the trip the previous year. As always, Derek and the rest of the staff members were incredibly kind, caring, and supportive throughout the whole of the trip.

While I didn’t experience the whole three week program, needing to return at the end of the second, and thus miss the Italy leg of the trip, it was still a delightful experience. From exploring the ancient sites of Athens to sailing on a cruise ship(!!!) to swimming in the clear blue Mediterranean waters on a relaxing beach day, it was truely a one-of-a-kind adventure.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack light! Even lighter than that!

While this program takes you to so many incredible locations, getting to all of them always involves a Lot of walking. Trips with luggage when we move locations are also a struggle with just a backpack and carry-on size suitcase, let alone anything more.

As someone who adores dressing cute, I understand the urges, but the bare essentials will suit you much better when in your sundress, sandles, jewelry, and new nails you find yourself having to lug your luggage all the way across Athens.
Pros
  • Incredible sightseeing with Derek always there with history facts about everything you’re seeing
  • Cruise!! Ship!!! You get to go on a Cruise!!
  • Wonderful supportive staff whose there for you no matter what!
Cons
  • Derek’s jokes :/ He lacks variety sometimes.
  • So much walking in so much sun and heat. If you don’t bring good shoes you’re cooked.
  • Some mattresses at the places we stay aren’t especially nice on your back :(
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Sydney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greece and Italy Western Civilization

World Class Programs was such an eye opening experience, and I 100% recommend it to people who are super adventurous, and like a nice mix of immersive and hands on learning and just fun and free time. I’ve learned so much not only about history and architecture, thanks to the interactive experience, but also a lot about culture. You’re able to see more history in one day than some people see in a lifetime. You’re going to be tired but it’s definitely worth it. I met so many great friends during this as well, and you become close super quick.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be ready to walk a lot. Bring comfortable shoes and a portable charger. Your feet will definitely hurt if not, and your phone battery will run down super quickly. Also, just try to ground yourself throughout the trip, enjoy the moment, what you’re seeing is so amazing and probably won’t last forever.
Pros
  • Free time
  • Immersive learning
  • Awesome staff
Cons
  • Rough cities
  • Terrible driving
  • No AC or ice
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Nadia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad to Italy with World Class Programs

This is still my favorite trip I’ve ever been on in my life. I was worried going there that the staff would run the trip like a school field trip and not let us really explore or enjoy the trip. World Class Programs run by Derek was so well put together. The staff did an excellent job at balancing planned activities and free exploring. I always felt safe and without any worries I got to see all the sites I wanted to see while still getting to explore with other students freely and enjoy the different cities. The food was great the whole trip and the housing space was better than expected. Overall really well planned out wish I could do again with Derek as the guide.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The second day we got to Italy the staff had a scavenger hunt planned us students to do. While doing it we were having fun but also without know we were learning the layout of Florence. So later when we were trying to find our way around it was way less overwhelming, all thanks to that scavenger hunt. World Class Programs managed to help us learn while making it fun. Really awesome memories.
Pros
  • Well paced and planned
  • Staff is friendly and helpful without being strict
  • Meeting new friends
Cons
  • Lots of walking
  • Gotta pack light
  • Too short a trip
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Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic experience to grow independence and self-confidence in healthy way

My 16 year old took their first trip abroad with World Class Programs and it was an incredible experience. Staff was so fun, kind, and thoughtful with the students and truly loved sharing their passion for Italy with the kids. They were great at keeping parents in the loop with weekly emails that detailed everything they had been up to during the week and lots of photos. It was wonderful to see how much my child gained in terms of confidence, as well as passion for a new culture. We can't wait to take another trip with World Class Programs!

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ellen Stoll

Job Title
Fine Art & Drawing Instructor
Ellen is World Class Programs' Fine Art and Drawing instructor. Each summer she loves to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and skills in the arts to spark the creativity in her students while learning in some of the most beautiful and incredible settings all over the world. She is also a lover of classical music and is an accomplish pianist in addition to her art background.
ellen

What is your favorite travel memory?

For me my favorite travel memory was from the first year I taught on the programs. We were in Italy, and they were having a record hot summer. We all took a break from classes and went on a hike through the breathtaking hills of Cinque Terre, playing music, drinking ALL the water, and cheering each other on as we made our way to Monterosso. We stopped there to eat and dive into the sparkling Mediterranean. We bonded and conquered the Italian sun and we're richly rewarded! Such a great time!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

A shared experience that both staff and students have is the level of familiarity with the location that these programs provide. Because I have lived like a local in numerous cities around the world, I feel at home all around the world. With that familiarity comes a sense of confidence in all areas of life and I have the tools to explore whatever/wherever I put my mind to. The same can be said for our students and alumni, and it is one of the greatest unseen benefits of our programs each summer in my opinion.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The most incredible thing I hear the most, from multiple students, is their own reflection on their own growth because of these programs. People who come into these programs feeling shy, out of place, awkward, scared, etc. begin to build a resilience, confidence, and openness in themselves that is truly amazing to see. It is such a large change in so short of time that they notice it, and they can point to the program specifically as being the catalyst for this change. As a teacher, it is such a beautiful thing to hear this feedback, because we don't just believe we are making a difference, we KNOW.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

It's between Italy and Western Civilization. With our Italian program, we immerse ourselves in the life and art (which, as the Fine Art and Drawing instructor is amazing for me!) and culture of Italy by living in Florence for two weeks, then heading to Rome for the last week. We get to dive in deep and it definitely starts feeling like home away from home. Western Civilization though is a slightly different flavor. We pack as much adventure as we possibly can in the three weeks that we are traveling through Athens, the Greek islands, Turkey, and ending in Rome. My ideal summer would be to do the adventure of the Western Civilization, then meet up with the Italian program in Florence for the cozy and relaxed vibes in Italy. The best part too is that both of these programs are designed so you can do it that way, so while pick if you can do both??

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We have planned, structured, pre-college experience classes, but we also take input from the students and fit things they show high interest in if it is at all possible to do so. For example, I was assisting our history teacher in Japan, when one of our students noticed a poster for an ancient site that everyone thought would be cool to see. The students all were immediately curious about this place, and as a staff group, we all shuffled everything around to make a trip out to this site work. The kids all loved it and said it meant so much to them that we listened to their wants and needs. It is something that really does make our programs unique, and the care and detail given to each student is second to none when it comes to World Class Programs.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Care. Plain and simple. We all care so deeply for our students and our staff. We all care about education, and adventure, and safety. Everything we do is to ensure the students have the most incredible summer of their lives and in doing so we create a great big family. No organization that does not put its students and their safety first can flourish, and World Class Programs does an outstanding job of putting our students at the pinnacle of each and every decision we make.

Professional Associations

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