Program Reviews

Travel for Teens totally changed my life. TFT not only helped me become more independent, but it’s also helped me make life long friends. The overall experience was one of a kind, and it is one that I will never forget. The counselors were amazing and they made the trip so much more fun and relaxing. The trip was very organized which helped my family always know what I was doing, and by having a schedule as a group we were able to see so much more. With the schedule we were also given quite a lot of downtime which we could use to explore the local areas and hang out with her new friends. I did the Ultimate Europe for 21 days and I totally recommend taking a trip with TFT! My favorite part of the whole trip was visiting Switzerland and also visiting the Warner Bros. studio and Monday to see the Harry Potter studio tour.

This trip is the perfect way to expose yourself to Thai culture and participate in a fun community service experience. The first part of the trip we went to two different elephant sanctuaries. The information that I was able to obtain from these sanctuaries was intriguing and I learned so much about Thai history in regard to elephants. Along with informative talks, we had the opportunity to wash the elephants, give them mud baths, feed them, and take them for walks. To be able to touch and interact with such huge animals was the coolest thing I have ever done and I will never forget it!
After a few days at the elephant sanctuaries, we explored the cities nearby. I tried food I had never even heard of and by the end of the trip I was obsessed with Pad Thai, a delicious noodle dish. We also spent time on the islands. We spent a day on a private boat and I went scuba diving for the very first time!
This trip really opened my eyes to Thai culture and allowed me to experience things I could have never imagined! By far one of the best trips I have ever taken. I got to bring home so many new memories and months later I still talk to my new friends I met on the trip. Overall- amazing trip!

This past summer, I had the pleasure of going on TFT’s Ultimate Europe 30 days trip. For some, 30 days can feel like a lifetime away from home. Yet, the environment I experienced with my counselors and fellow participants became my new home. There was never a dull moment and every minute was spent experiencing the world around us and making it our own personal adventure. From surprise trips to Disneyland Paris to canyoning in Interlaken, I broke out of my comfort zone so many times that I lost count. I was greatly mentored by our counselors and I not only returned as a more self-actualized young adult but am able to articulate what I want in my own life: new experiences, adventures, and friends to last a lifetime, the true Travel for Teens experience.

This trip was truly amazing in so many ways. This was my first trip outside the US; not only is Korea amazing in itself, but the staff are very fun, helpful, and knowledgeable. Some people warn not to jump into travel in more exotic places like Asia, but South Korea is very safe and welcoming. When I went, the group only had 11 travelers, so we all got to know each other really well. It felt like one big family, adventuring across the beaches, snacking on new flavors (be it spicy, fruity, stinky, or sweet--my favorites), shopping along the streets, and drinking in the Korean culture. Warning: it's hot and humid in the summer, but it's really worth it. It was a completely unique and diverse experience that has everything from historic temples to modern cities to rocky sea views to relaxing spas. I had so much fun and really felt immersed! Thanks Kylie and Simon!

This past summer (summer 2018) was my second year traveling with Travel For Teens, and my first year as a counselor in training, or CIT. In July, I set off with TFT on Peru Service and Adventure. This was the trip of a lifetime! For 21 days we traveled around the beautiful countryside and immersed ourselves into the rich Incan culture. What I loved about the trip is the equal balance of both the service work and the thrill-seeking. The community service we did for the schools and in the town of Misinay, Peru was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. This portion of the trip is where we got a sense of what life is really like for these people. For a few days, we were a part of the family and community. We were welcomed with open arms and were sent off with the warmest of hugs and heavy hearts. The goodbyes were bittersweet, as we all would miss our host families, but were excited about continuing on our adventure. The other half of the trip was just as inspiring as the first. Being the adrenaline-junky that I am, I was thrilled to go white-water rafting, walk across suspension bridges in the Amazon Rainforest, stand in awe of the beauty of Macchu Picchu, and visit the great floating islands of Lake Titicaca! Everyday was a new adventure and an checkmark off the bucket list! I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience it with TFT, the memories and the friendships that I made will last me a lifetime. Also, for me I had the unique experience of being the CIT for the trip, which gave me insights on what goes on behind the scenes. It was a new level of responsibility that allowed me to bridge the gap between the students and the counselors. I loved this incredible learning experience and it added so much to my trip! Needless to say the trip was an once in a lifetime adventure for me, and Peru now holds a very special place in my heart. All thanks to TFT!

I traveled with TFT the summer of 2016 and have not forgotten a moment of it. From the beautiful site seeing to adventurous white water rafting, I had loved every minute. Travel for Teens did something to me that no other experience has been able to do: Give me the travel bug. I have such a love and yearning to travel and experience new cultures and have TFT to thank! The staff was incredible and I can honestly say that they were the ringmasters to making the trip as wonderful as it was. The travelers with me were kind and funny and I still think of them often! I went on the “Thailand Elephant Service and the Islands” trip and although I had never been on a trip like this before, I felt completely safe and like I had been traveling to countries like it my entire life. We experienced swimming in a serene waterfall, feeding and bathing gorgeous elephants, and relaxing on the beach. With a perfect mix of calmness and adventure, there isn’t a trip I could recommend more!

This past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Australia and anew Zealand with Travel for Teens. I was nervous to go, because my group contained 17 other people going with me. However, once I got there, the people I was with made me feel at home. I made friends easily. Those people I am still in contact with. Besides the friends aspect of the trip, we did so many amazing things in these countries. My personal favorite was scuba diving at The Great Barrier Reef. Another favorite aspect of the trip was our last stop, Sydney, Australia. The city was beautiful and I had so much fun just wandering the city with my amazing new friends and my amazing counselors. I recommend this trip to anyone who is interested, you definitely will not regret going on this trip of a lifetime.

When I was first offered to go on a trip with Travel For Teens I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it so much because I was going to be the oldest person on the trip, but I'm am so glad I decided to go. I chose to go on the Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip and it was absolutely amazing. It has always been one of my dreams to go to Hawaii and Travel For Teens made my dream come true. On the trip I was able to try scuba diving for the first time and I loved it! I also got to swim with sea turtles which was fantastic. One of the coolest things about the trip was getting to learn more about sea turtles and how we can help them survive in the wild. The staff was amazing and were great to hang out with and talk to. Travel For Teens Helped me face my fears and learn that there is a beautiful world out there. I would recommend Travel For teens to anyone that is trying to give there child the trip of a lifetime.

This trip to Italy was such an amazing time. From swimming in the Mediterranean Ocean for the first time, to eating true Italian cuisine, this was such a great trip. I saw and experienced a whole different culture from mine. Modes of transportation, housing and the food were all different from what I was used to. I got to see the magnificent, old ruins of the ancient city Pompeii, and explore the cities of Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. I got to eat true Italian gelatto and make and paint my own ceramics. I loved swimming in the water on the pebble beach looking at the volcano in the distant. I learned more skills on working with peers and in a group to figure out the best way to complete tasks and time management. Also, I met some really cool people! I cannot wait to go back to Italy again one day.

I went on the Australia and New Zealand Service trip and it was life changing. I met some amazing people, which I became close with after about a day. I saw some of the most beautiful landscapes that I have ever seen. I visited the place where my favorite movie, The Lord of the Rings, was filmed and I was blown away with the beauty of it. I held a koala, fed and petted wallabies and went glamping in the outback. I interacted with the locals and most importantly, I ventured out of my comfort zone, which makes for a more interesting adventure. The counselors were amazing and helpful and despite the age difference, no one ran out of things to talk about. TFT allowed me to experience something amazing and at such a young age, I was able to travel to a whole different world.