Travel For Teens: France

Travel for Teens provided me with the opportunity to not only explore new cultures and sights, but also allowed me to experience life as a local not a tourist. My trip to Italy, Switzerland, and France completely changed my life by instilling an appreciation for other languages, foods, and traditions. One of my favorite parts was traveling with a group of students my age and the extremely knowledgeable and passionate counselors who I still communicate with to this day. Each day gave me the chance to do a varied array of activities from hiking, going to museums, the beach, shopping, eating, and even paragliding. This trip made me want to study abroad in college and continue traveling throughout my life. I look forward to continuing to travel with Travel for Teens next summer and in the future!

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.

Barcelona and Paris: two AMAZING cities and 10 days. What an adventure! This trip was so much fun, exploring the cities and immersing ourselves in the culture. The itinerary was full every day with different activities for us to participate in, as well as having some built-in free time to explore the cities. The counselors were super supportive and amazing people to have on the trip with us. This trip and TFT gave me the opportunity to explore yet another country in the world and learn the art of being a traveler and NOT being an artist! 10/10 would recommend

I aboslutley loved my trip from TFT. The Trip directer and Senior counciler were just wonderful. They were always considerate and good friends. Put our enjoyment and safety above anything else. I'm naturally a very timid person and they brought me out of my shell and I have become more sociable since I have traveled with them. I would love for more people to get this opportunity and to enjoy the world. It is honestly an amazing journey that should be taken if possible.

Entering my freshman year of high school, I elected to take French to fulfill my language graduation requirement. In a short amount of time, French quickly became one of my favorite classes and something I was extremely passionate about. I wanted to learn more outside the classroom, I wanted to experience France instead of just reading about it in textbooks. However, I knew I wouldn’t be able to experience what I craved if I travelled with my family. I wanted to travel with French speakers, and to feel fully emersed in the culture. So, my parents found TFT and signed me up for the 22 day language trip in Paris and Nice. It was without a doubt the best decision we made.
I met an amazing group of kids who all came from different experiences and backgrounds. I was able to meet students who I wouldn’t usually be friends with, and because of that they became some of my greatest friends. Through bonding over our different hometowns and states, we all came together to experience our common passion for traveling. While traveling around France, every single member of our group became close. Not only that but our counselors were exceptional. I still keep my counselors updated with my experiences and travels two years later. Both of my counselors spoke French and were able to help me expand my knowledge.
This TFT trip was without a doubt the most amazing experience I have ever had. It has inspired my future studying abroad in France, and my desire to study French in college.
If you are considering doing a trip with this program, coming from a shy-at-first girl, you should without a doubt sign up as it will be a life changing experience.

I am going on my third TFT trip this year, and I cannot wait! My first two trips were amazing; I learned so much about the countries and met so many people! On my trips to France and South Africa, the counselors knew so much about the countries, making the experiences even more meaningful. Being immersed into the culture through morning French classes and afternoon adventures around Paris, I learned so much about the French culture and country, while improving my french. The optional excursions to Giverny and Disneyland Paris added even more to the experience and are definitely worth it. Since I am not that interested in art, I was hesitant to go on the trip Giverny, expecting to learn about just another artist, but by seeing Monet’s inspiration firsthand, it heightened my appreciation for his work and gave so much meaning to paintings that I had never recognized before. This was my first TFT trip (and I had only been planning on doing the one) but as soon as I got home feeling more confident than ever before after the best summer of my life, I knew I had to go on another trip the next summer!

One summer with Travel for Teens and BAM, you're life will instantly transform. (Mine did!) Before my first TFT trip, like most people, I lived for summer vacation. Being able to just sit back, relax and not worry about school work. But I was missing something. I was missing the sense of doing something. How can you expand your worldview, meet awesome new friends, maybe even learn a language while you're just sitting at home doing nothing. For some, this may be ok, but for me, I needed more. My first TFT trip was to France, where I went to language school in Paris and then "vacationed" in Nice. While only three weeks of my life, this experienced changed me forever. I made bonds with peers I will keep forever and experiences that will live with me for the rest of my life. Culture that gives me a broader understanding of life that will guide me until the day I die. Not to mention having TONS of fun and two INCREDIBLY AWESOME counselors!!!! Last summer, I went on a second trip, this time to the U.K., where I had the same super-positive reactions. All in all, for an enriching and exciting summer that will positively change your life forever while providing some good, old fashioned fun...look no further than TFT. With so many trips to all sorts of crazy, wild destinations, there's bound to be something for everyone. Feeling adventurous, TFT has a trip for you. Want to interact with locals in a way you never could have without an experienced, practically local person right at your side? Check. Want some great food????? OF COURSE TFT's got that, too!!
So, if you want a summer filed with jam packed, pure awesomeness, GO TFT!

I was standing on top of Gaudi’s La Pedrera looking in awe at the city in front of me. The skyline was one like no other. Glancing to my right I saw my Travel for Teens counselors watching all of the Barcelona and Paris program participants making sure that they were happy, safe, and one with the city. Turning back to the view it felt like time had stopped: no distractions, only the view holding my absolute attention. Being one of the first days in Barcelona, Spain, I was fully prepared for the trip ahead of me. The sites, smells, and activities were yet to be experienced. The Spanish culture was one that I had never experienced before and I was excited for the journey ahead.
After the conclusion of the program, I realize now how lucky I am to have chosen such a trip. It opened my eyes to what the true meaning of life is: to live in the present. Do all that you can in the day and live like it is your last. Take all opportunities available and live your life. The TFT Barcelona and Paris trip allowed me to do this by shaking me into reality and showing me how important traveling is and the growth of knowledge for other cultures.