In a break from the ordinary, adventurous individuals use their designated breaks from school and work to embark on journeys near and far. Students feel the concept of exploring the world, whether traveling alone or with family can get rather mundane or, more commonly, stressful. As group travel rises in popularity, all ages seek to enhance their experience through aspects like cheaper prices, less anxiety about planning activities, and meeting people from completely different backgrounds. This plunge into the unknown appeals to those who seek to widen their horizons and create memories otherwise not attainable through previous ways of travel.

   Jeffrey Kessler (’24) used his last summer break before high school ends to travel to Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. Part of a group trip with the company, Passports, he was paired together with a group of unlikely individuals. 

   “At first I was really nervous because this was my first time traveling overseas, and I was doing it by myself with a bunch of random people. We had group meetings to break the ice, but nothing compared to when we spent pretty much everyday together. I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. I got to experience first hand completely different cultures that pretty much bonded me to the people also on the trip, and I still talk to them to this day,” Kessler said.

   Group travel additionally becomes more apparent in relation to school activities and competitions. Olivia Wheatcraft (’25) takes plenty of these group trips for her involvement in Yearbook and Band. Traveling together to places like Boston and Orlando.

   “I enjoyed going on those trips because I feel like it bonds the group together more and you learn a lot of new things through the experiences on the trip,” Wheatcraft said.

   Organizing, chaperoning, and developing group trips like these, Gina Schulaski (FAC) promotes group trips to her students and some of her personal friends. Taking trips from Germany and France to Spain and Greece, Mrs. Schulaski doesn’t fall short of well traveled.

   “My most memorable memory always is when students see the Eiffel Tower for the first time, or the Colosseum. I love showing students the world, education doesn’t stop in the classroom,” Schulaski said.

   Traveling with different types of people can open individuals to plenty of unexpected experiences that can even lead to friendships and possibly even new travel buddies. There are always trips to join that depart this summer or maybe even a year or two from now. Email Ms. Schulaski or Ms. Andrade about the upcoming group trips that they are hosting to embark on trips across the world.