Logo

World Class Programs

About

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

Reviews

Default avatar
Loretta
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A glowing review from a "Helicopter" parent. World Class Programs is the best!

Wow! What an amazing summer! My husband & I honestly tried to talk our son out of going on a study abroad trip. We are what you might call "the helicopter parents" that were afraid of sending him so far away in a foreign country. Well let me tell you, we hit the absolute JACKPOT with World Class Programs! The Managing Director Derek Tano is amazing I don’t have words to adequately tell all parents. He is always available to take my call no matter where they were in the world & he is so relatable to the students & earns their respect immediately! He is very down to Earth & safety & education are clearly number one for all of the World Class Programs staff. I am so blessed that I found World Class Programs and this summer program was the time of my sons life!

Pros
  • Staff were very friendly and versed in the local culture and customs
  • All communications were prompt and very detailed
  • The cost of this program is well worth all of the amazing things they got to experience while abroad
Default avatar
Paul
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

All I can say is "WOW!" World Class Programs are the best in the business!

World Class Programs is hands down the best study abroad company out there! My wife and I shopped around & contacted all the companies out there looking for the perfect fit for our “wild child” daughter & we reached out via email & phone calls with so many questions to them all. We got crickets from them all …but World Class Programs answered the phone the first time I called & Jaclyn was so informative & helpful & detailed. The application process was seamless & honestly fun. We had zero hiccups & any questions I had I simply dialed World Class Programs phone number & it was answered every time! The program itself was life changing and Derek and his staff are truly "World Class" educators. I could not be happier with this company and with the experience my daughter had while abroad. I will be sending all of my kids on one of World Class Programs study abroad trips again & again! I only wish I could go on one too!

Pros
  • Amazing staff communication
  • Excellent support for my daughters needs while abroad
  • Immense thought and planning goes into their programs, and it shows!
Cons
  • I wish was in high school so I could have gone too!
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

World Class Programs was the PERFECT trip for my daughter!

I never write reviews but as a parent of a reserved & shy high school daughter I felt the need to let every parent trying to chose an amazing trustworthy educational program for their child to ABSOLUTLY go with World Class Programs. The staff is worth their weight in gold & so approachable & answered their phone 24/7 while my daughter was in their care. I can’t say enough about this program my daughter came back home changed in the most confident & worldly way & she is so sad she didn’t go sooner because she wants to travel with them each summer!

Pros
  • My daughter always felt so supported and taken care of on the program!
  • All of the staff are extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and compassionate
  • Excellent communication with parents throughout the trip, I felt like I was there too!
Cons
  • N/A
Default avatar
Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This Program CHANGED MY LIFE!

World Class Programs is a company filled with fun and educated staff who want nothing more than to create incredible experiences that last a lifetime for their students! I am proud to say that I am one of those students! I was lucky enough to be part of the Paris, France program, and it CHANGED MY LIFE for the better. Through all of the museum visits, classes, activities, and weekend trips, I became more confident in myself to navigate any situation that I am put in for the future! I had never traveled out of the country before, so I was a little nervous, and was glad it was only going to be two weeks. However, after the first few days, I couldn’t believe how fast the time was going! I wished it was longer!

The staff created memorable experiences for us to get to know each other, and I felt like we became a family by the end! My favorite part of the trip is hard to pick, but I would probably have to say climbing the Eiffel Tower because of the incredible view from the top! We also got to walk through the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, visit the Chateau de Monte Cristo! (the home of Alexander Dumas!

I would recommend this trip to anyone, because you learn so much about the world, and the staff are so caring, hilarious, and make learning fun!

Pros
  • Eating all of the French desserts!
  • Trying escargot for the first time!
  • We got to everything on our "touristy" checklist!
Cons
  • I wish it was longer!
Default avatar
Kiera
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Program Ever

I was on World Class Program’s Osaka, Japan trip and have nothing but knowledge, and incredible memories to bring back with me! Derek was so knowledgeable about everywhere we went, and I could tell he really has a passion for teaching. He made my fears disappear by how comfortable he was in his surroundings. I was worried that not knowing Japanese would be something that would make the trip difficult, but it was never a problem because I felt so supported by the World Class Programs’ staff!

We got to pet the most adorable deer in Nara Park! They bowed to you so that you could feed them right from your hand! They were so gentle and cute, that it was definitely a highlight for me! I also loved taking the Japanese history course while out in the city, so that I got to learn history where it actually happened! I am so glad I went on the 3 week trip because I got to see both Osaka and Tokyo, as well as the other day trip cities. This was my first time in Japan, and World Class Programs has sparked my love of travel, so I cannot wait to go back there someday!

Pros
  • The Osaka Castle
  • Eating at the ramen Cup Noodle Factory!
  • Trying Takoyaki for the first time!

Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Staff Interviews

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

Jaclyn Tano

Job Title
Program Director
My name is Jaclyn Tano and I have been traveling my entire life! I have been with World Class Programs since the first program, and originally joined the World Class team fueled by my passion to educate students from around the world through the Experiential Learning Method! The only passion that can compete with my love of travel, would have to be my love of teaching! I am a licensed teacher, and currently hold a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Concordia University, St. Paul. When I'm not traveling the world, I enjoy reading, and spending time with my family. I can't wait to meet you on one of our upcoming programs!
Jaclyn Tano on a beach smiling wearing a dress with dark hair and glasses

What is your favorite travel memory?

Although there are too many wonderful memories to count, my favorite travel memory would have to be the first time I ordered gelato in Italian in Florence, Italy. On my first trip with World Class Programs, I was confident in my Italian, but once it became time to test it out with a local, I was nervous! After I gained the courage to order, he treated me like a local, and it gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and continue to join the incredible culture surrounding me! I take that experience with me, and encourage my students so that they can feel confident enough to do the same!

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

I have always been interested in kinesthetic and visual learning during my time teaching in a traditional classroom. However, since I started working for World Class Programs, it took my interest in hands-on learning to the next level! Instead of creating pseudo-scenarios, though the use of textbooks and videos to show my students new skills and concepts, I am able to bring them into the cities where those skills can be practiced first-hand!

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

My favorite story I've heard from a return student was all centered around how their entire world-view had been shifted in a positive way after experiencing the program. They said that they not only started to view the world in a broader way, but they also began to understand themselves more. This story stands out to me the most because of how powerful their words were when they expressed this to me.

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

This is a difficult question for me because all of the programs have something unique to offer that sets them apart from each other in the best ways! That is why I will instead talk about my favorite unique parts of the programs I have attended already! The raw history woven in every place we visit in Italy is breathtaking. The rich art history that brings France to life is unforgettable. Lastly, the innovation and food that Japan has to offer makes it an uncommon and exclusive gem.

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

Every year I am proud of my team! These past years pushing through with the new COVID-19 measures that needed to take place really showed that we were all in it together, and still were able to make incredible programs just as memorable for students, while still maintaining the safety of everyone. I couldn't be more proud of my team, but these past couple of years have really showed our tenacity to stick together and keep the students' in the forefront of our priorities!

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

The biggest factor in being a successful company all comes down to the community and environment that is created. If staff are not happy, then the students will not be happy. The staff at World Class Programs all love what they do, and come from different backgrounds, so they all bring something unique and valued to the company. That is what makes me proud to come to work everyday, because I don't consider it "work" in the slightest.