Program Reviews

This was my second year attending a travel for teens trip and I have loved every moment of it. This past trip to Barcelona and Paris was truly an incredible experience that I will never forget. Not only did I love the friendships I made with people who I still talk to to this day but I also just love the opportunities that I was able to have because of this trip. These were two places that I had never been to before and after this trip, I want to go back immediately. I loved how we got to immerse ourselves in the culture of both places while still being able to have fun and experience life away from home. This trip was the perfect balance of learning and gaining new knowledge along with enjoying a relaxing summer and a beautiful country. My favorite thing that we did in Barcelona was the Bike Tour because I loved being able to see a lot of the city at once and learn from a local about the incredible history of the area. While in Paris my favorite thing was visiting the Eiffel Tower and trying all of the incredible food pastries and desserts. The staff was amazing and truly helped make this experience one of a kind, Not only were they light-hearted and funny and kind but they were also intelligent and knew a lot about travel and about different areas, therefore They were able to teach me lots of new great information.

It was very beautiful in Ireland, and we got to explore very popular places but we also were able to go to less known places. Everywhere we went we were able to choose what activities we wanted to do. We went to achill island which was the highlight of the trip and got to swim in a bog, surf paddle board and hang out with friends we made on the trip. We got to go on hikes with locals that would tell us what the history of whatever place we were in, and hear stories from many people. We also were able to try all of the local foods, which were homemade and very scrumptious. It was a wonderful experience.

I traveled with Travel for Teens on the Barcelona and Paris Explorer trip for 8 days. This was the best 8 days of my life, it was my second time ever visiting Europe and my first time traveling all by myself. Upon arriving in the airport and meeting with my group, everyone was super friendly and the counselors were super inviting. When we got into the cities it was initially a shock about the authenticity of of our travels. It felt like I was living like a local, being allowed to walk around my my new friends and choose where we want to go, from walking everywhere and taking the public transit it felt like I was authentically experiencing the cultures of these cities. What I took home from this trip was a newfound confidence in myself and my independence. I have also made a lot of lifelong bonds with my peers on the trip.

I am so happy I chose TFT for my first summer trip abroad as a teen. My trip was the Costa Rica Service and Adventure. I was able to go kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, zip lining, and swimming, while also doing community service and giving back to students at a local school.  It was an incredible adventure; all the staff was nice, friendly, welcoming, and made the whole trip a positive experience. I met a very nice group of friends, and created bonds and friendships I can hold onto forever, as well as tried awesome new activities that I would never have the good fortune to do! I felt such pride in being able to help the children.  I am extremely thankful that I had this opportunity, and excited to take another trip this summer! 

The Travel for Teens program gave me an opportunity to begin exploring the world. I began looking for a program march 2023 and found the france explorer trip. My trip went from Paris to normandy then Aix-en- Provence and finally Nice and I ended up in a very small group of 6 girls. With such a small group it was very easy to get close and by the third day of the trip we were like a family. The trip itinerary was perfect, starting in a big city and ending on the coast. One thing my parents worried about before sending me on the trip was safety which turned out not to be an issue. My phone even broke on the last few days of the trip and my counselors made sure that I had a safe trip home by printing out my boarding passes for me and ensuring I know where I need to be. In all the Travel for Teens program is amazing and I plan to attend another trip next year.

Travel for Teens Costa Rica Animal Rescue Service was a life-changing experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship that continues even after the trip. Engaging with exotic animals sparked a deep passion for veterinary medicine within me, fueling my aspirations for future volunteer work in Costa Rica. However, this journey meant more than just volunteering; it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the vibrant Costa Rican culture, embark on thrilling day trips, explore the beautiful beaches, and create lasting connections with my fellow teenage volunteers.

Beyond the volunteering aspect, the trip was brimming with unforgettable moments. Exploring Panama and its picturesque islands, delving into the intricacies of cocoa farming and crafting chocolate from scratch, and visiting the BriBri tribe left an indelible mark on my heart. Witnessing the daily life of the BriBri people provided a unique perspective, enriching my understanding of diverse lifestyles.

Above all, the trip felt like a voyage with close friends I had known for years, fostering an environment of mutual support and adventure. Travel for Teens Costa Rica Animal Rescue Service has undoubtedly left an indelible imprint, igniting within me a desire to continue exploring and contributing to the world in meaningful ways.

My Travel For Teens trip to Prague, Vienna, Slovenia, and Croatia was one of the most incredible few weeks of my life. Filled with so much adventure, exploration, and culture, as well as amazing new friendships and experiences I will never forget. This trip helped me build my confidence, skill set, and independence unlike anything else. Even through setbacks, the leadership and communication of TFT made the trip seamless and unproblematic when it could've just gone downhill. I will be forever grateful to TFT for the bonds and memories I made on this trip.

This was my first trip with Travel for Teens and I'm so glad it was. I spent ten days exploring Oahu and Maui with a very fun group of people, wonderful counselors, and a lot of excitement. Not only did I visit all of the most common tourist locations, but I also got to have experiences a regular tourist would likely never be able to have, such as doing community service with a marine wildlife center, visiting Haleakala Volcano early enough to see the sunrise and then biking down it later, surfing at Waikiki Beach, and trying numerous wonderful Hawaiian and other Polynesian dishes. Hawaii was incredibly beautiful and I'm so glad that I went there with Travel for Teens.

In France I was able to practice my basic French that I have been learning in school. Many people of the locals were happy that I was trying to speak their language and I got to learn and practice new things. many times, I had the Parisens correct me on my French and it was amazing. We went bike riding throughout Paris, visited the Palace of Versailles, and the louver. I tried so many different kinds of food some of which I have never heard of before and they were all so good. I also got the opportunity to learn more about the French culture such as the Battle of Bastille and claim the Eiffel tower.

The overall experience was a blast. Berlin was just the first country we went to. We stayed in a hostel where we got to meet other students from other countries visiting Berlin. We went bike riding and tried their delicious cuisine. I was able to meet people that I am still in contact with. We went to holocaust museums and had an enriching experience in having a deeper understanding of the heart ships people went through. We also went to parliament and go to see the city from above. I learned that you had to pay for water everywhere you went, and public bathrooms weren't a thing, so be ready.