Program Reviews

Choosing to go on a Blyth trip this past summer was one of the best decisions of my life! Travelling to such iconic, historic, beautiful cities and getting to experience the cultures of these places with fellow peers was an extremely enriching experience. I went on my trip alone, but by the time we were boarding the plane, it surely didn't feel like it! Within a few minutes of leaving my parents at the entrance of the airport, I was already chatting with those around me - everyone was so nice and willing to meet others, that it was easy to make friends in no time. We were a small group, which made getting to bond with everyone really easy, and we became a little family. The staff on the trip were super awesome and supportive. I took Grade 12 English, and my teacher was so knowledgeable, well-travelled, and helpful - he always made time to help us both inside and outside of class-time. One of my favourite experiential learning opportunities was when we walked to Saint Stephen's Green (a park in Dublin) and sat in front of a statue of the poet W.B. Yeats while reading and discussing a few of his poems. Many times throughout this trip, we were able to tie learning experiences into what we were seeing around us, which I really enjoyed. Overall, this trip was so fantastic and I could talk about it all day. I was able to make so many new friends, learn a whole bunch, and grow so much as a person. I would highly recommend it!!!

The trip to Eastern Europe with Blyth International Summers was a valuable and unforgettable experience. Not only was I able to discover multiple destinations on the other side of the world, but the trip also provided excellent academic help, and many character building opportunities. The course content also related to the destinations we visited. A large part of the course revolved around a book regarding a holocaust survivor's experience. This story took place in almost every destination we visited which added more significance to the whole trip. In addition, the connections I built while on this trip were worth while.

Amazing program that I would recommend to anyone. The teachers were extremely welcoming and provided a time of support through the entire trip. A majority of the peers that I met with on this trip I am still friends with. They offer a great balance between school and touring since you although you are taking a high school course it still feels like a vacation. My favourite parts of the trip were organized by the athletic director that planned a variety of different activities when we went to different hotels. Some of the activities included beach volleyball, touring the city, fun dinners and many more. This was a great way to meet new people and learn more about the best areas to look at while touring around the different cities. Especially when you are entering a new area it is important to understand the subway and such.

I went to a four week Blyth international summers program in the Roam and Greek islands. I personally loved the experience! The social scene is great for students, you make tons of friends that last outside of the trip. The schooling aspect is closer then school, more one on one time with your teacher is given and is very helpful. Blyth definitely focuses on hiring the best of the best staff. They are fun, outgoing, helping, and great at what they do. I would recommend any student to go and travel with Blyth for an international summers program, it won’t let down! And it’s a great way to earn a credit by doing fun interactive learning with real life benefits! Blyth academy is a must in a students schooling history, they’ve gotta experience it!

Going into the airport, I was nervous. I’m sure many students were. I’ve never gone on a plane by myself, let alone travelling overseas without my parents. Upon arriving in France, the friendships began to form, teachers were nice. The food and scenery were incredible. I never wanted to leave. Reading books, and experiencing France is truly a wonderful way to learn. Being able to see so many historical buildings, sites that you see on television and read in books is truly a wonderful opportunity. It was wonderful to go to classes for part of the day and experience France the other part of the day. The excursions were well thought out, and if you did not want to go, you could stay back and do your homework or still walk around the city.
I highly recommend going. It has taught me to be more independent, resourceful and has enriched my life. You will not regret your decision.

Travelling to Costa Rica with Blyth Academy was one of the best months of my life. There was so many opportunities and fun things you could do every day. The best part is that you are able to complete a high-school certified course on the beaches of Costa Rica. This experience was like no other. The staff were excellent, they made sure we were doing well in the course while making sure we had the best time of our lives. I highly recommend this trip in particular because of the extra-curricular activities it offers. If you want to spend summer surfing, going to the beach every day, ziplining, white water rafting and much more, this trip is for you! The best part is that you made friendships from across Canada. I now have friends from cities across Canada!

This trip was 100% the best experience of my life! I took my grade 11 bio credit in Costa Rica with some of my now best friends. Can’t get any better! While having a lot of acedemic success I as well had some of the most amazing adventures such as surfing, snorkeling, banana boating, hiking and so much more! We would go to the beach and into the little beach town of playas del Coco every day, coco was our home by the end of the trip:)) But we also got to experience the cloud forest in monteverde and the aerenal volcano! The sunsets were beyond belief and everyone on the trip and all the locals were the most amazing people! I easily became completely comfortable and fell in love with Costa Rica! And the friendship I made through the trip will last a life time! I have already visited friends hundreds of kilometres away and it’s only been a few months! Thank you so much Blyth for the best month of my life I will never forget it! Pura vida!!!

I went on the Blyth Costa Rica August trip this past summer and it was the most amazing experience of my life! You spend 3.5 weeks living with a bunch of other kids your age from all over Canada which may sound intimidating, but is honestly an experience unlike anything else. You make lifelong friends within hours and every single person there is in the exact same situation as you are making it easy to go up and talk to anyone. Costa Rica is an absolutely stunning country with the most amazing beach sunsets I have ever seen. In the beach town where you spend the majority of your time, you stay in apartment-like villas which are just a 5 minute walk from the beach and some restaurants and coffee shops, and only a 15 minute walk into town. Since it is off season there are hardly any tourists which almost makes you feel as though the beach is private and gives you a better sense of the Costa Rican culture and more opportunities to build relationships with the locals. The small but lively town has so much to offer as well as the other two places you stay on the trip. I took grade 11 biology and instead of learning in a classroom we often would have class on the beach or by the pool which lead to a generally happier and willing to learn class environment allowing not everyone to only memorize the material but understand it. I was very skeptical when signing up for this trip as I was scared it would not be as much fun as I hoped it would be, however after only a few hours I learned that it was even more. Whether you go with a friend or by yourself, this trip will end up being the best month of your life so do it!!

Spending a month abroad with a group of complete strangers was on of the best decisions I ever made! Not only did I earn a high school credit, I met some of my best friends!! I continue to meet up with people I met on the trip (even though we love hundreds of kilometres away!) During the trip I had the opportunity to zip line, horse back ride, snorkel, banana boat and hike across different terrain in Costa Rica. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in exploring a gorgeous country and meeting amazing people while earning a high school credit! Truly the best month of my life this far! One of the most amazing things about the trip was how I learned to be a more independent person and how many life experiences I learned beyond the classroom!
Thank you Blyth!!!!

The Rome & The Greek Islands trip is highly recommended by me and was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned, explored and grew over the course of this trip. I got my grade 12 English credit and I loved my teacher. It was amazing being able to experience what the setting was in the novels that we read. For example we read Oedipus The King and then did presentations by the Parthenon. I made lots of lifelong friends over the course of the trip and I am glad that I was able to experience this program with such a nice group of people. The staff was also very kind and helpful. In both Italy and Greece I had some of the most delicious food I have ever tried, from pizza to calamari it was all amazing. I was also immersed into different cultures and saw magnificent landscapes. The trip was 10/10 and I highly recommend it.