Am I expecting too much?

[cleo]

I thought I'd post this question over here, since everyone on this board has taken an International flight and can probably understand where I'm coming from.

We are taking my 14 year old son to Dublin, Paris and London later this summer and it will be his first overseas flight, first time out of the USA. I keep thinking about my first time overseas (England) and how it opened my eyes, so to speak. It was a profound experience, one I will never forget.

I know my son will enjoy his visit, but I wanted to ask those of you who have travelled overseas with teens (or AS teens!), how did they react to being overseas? Was it a 'Wow' experience for them? Did they realise they were doing something pretty special or did they see it as just another holiday?

Please share your experiences!

 

[Claire L]

My first trip to Florida was in 1990, when I was 16, so it was meant to be a 'once in a lifetime experience' and I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did my Mum and her sister who came too! Well we loved it so much that two week later we were booked to go to the West Coast the following year and as they say the rest is history.

As for teens today as the world is a more accessable place I am sure there are often different feelings, such as it not being such a 'once in a lifetime experience' unless you go to one of the more off beat places such as Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands for example.

I am sure your son will enjoy his experiences outside of the US and will learn greatly from them.

Claire

 

[florida sun]

Susan

My daughters first trip to Florida was when she was about 9 and there was a definate Wow factor about it for her, but I think that was more the fact that it was Disney than Florida, however she has been 3 times since and is now 16, and although she still loves Disney, the appeal about flying to the States or any other international country has now taken over, and the WOW factor is more for the country than the parks and entertainment. So much so, her dream is to travel internationally and to eventually live and work in the States.

I think its a wonderful experience for them and Im sure your son will enjoy every minute of it.

 

[wicket2005]

My sons who are now 16 and 18 enjoy Orlando immensely. It is a wow experience and not just another holiday. Remember though we are only a small island so it is very easy for us to jump on a plane, train or ship and be in another country. America is special as well because it is so far away.

Your son will have a fantastic time. The differences in cultures will be such an eye opener for him. We took our sons down to London for the first time in March and they loved it.

 

[Dimplenose]

My first trip abroad was an amazing experience as I was 14 and had never flown before. My children have been travelling abroad since they were 4 or 5 and now that they are teenagers enjoy holidays abroad, but I'm sure they don't have the same "wow factor" that I did.

Libby

 

[carolfoy]

My first trip abroad was with a friend to Ibiza when we were 17, everything was wow for us, and I'm sure thats why I still get so excited about travelling, my son though has been every year since he was 2, sometimes three or four times a year, but he still retains a real excitement about it (hes now 11) he does tend to look on long haul flights though as just a means to an end as he's got past the initial newness of everything about airports, airplanes and landing procedures. he does like reading up about places before we go though which is good as it gives him a sense of geography and recognition when he gets there.

I hope he has a wonderful time Cleo and it all lives up to your expectations

 

[Netty]

I thought I'd post this question over here, since everyone on this board has taken an International flight and can probably understand where I'm coming from.

We are taking my 14 year old son to Dublin, Paris and London later this summer and it will be his first overseas flight, first time out of the USA. I keep thinking about my first time overseas (England) and how it opened my eyes, so to speak. It was a profound experience, one I will never forget.

I know my son will enjoy his visit, but I wanted to ask those of you who have travelled overseas with teens (or AS teens!), how did they react to being overseas? Was it a 'Wow' experience for them? Did they realise they were doing something pretty special or did they see it as just another holiday?

Please share your experiences!

It depends on your son, AS is such difficult thing for some teens to cope with depending on how severe it is etc. but saying that, teens travelling for the first time abroad will find it scary and also awe inspiring !! I wouldn't worry sure h e will be fine

 

[mumloveseeyore]

my son 14 has AS we did the normal thuings, showing where we were going, what we would be doing and he absolutely loved it, it probably helped that this is a trip he really wanted to make. Hope your son has a great time, Gill

 

[swilshire]

I know my son will enjoy his visit, but I wanted to ask those of you who have travelled overseas with teens (or AS teens!), how did they react to being overseas? Was it a 'Wow' experience for them? Did they realise they were doing something pretty special or did they see it as just another holiday?

Please share your experiences!

My two oldest and I went to London with the HS band when they were 17 and 15. Since we're going back next month, I've had stacks of library guide books around. My son, who was the 15yo at the time, kept showing me pictures saying "I remember going there", "Do you remember that?". Frankly, some of it I didn't even recall until he mentioned it. Then I could dredge up a vaque memory.

This time we're traveling with 21, 19, 13 and 8yo kids. Wish me luck. At least we won't be with 100 hs students and their assorted parents. The parents were always the ones holding up the bus by not showing up at the appointed times.

I'm going to miss Monica, our previous tour guide. What a hoot she was! And it sure was simple to just stroll onto the bus and go wherever they had planned. I appreciate that more now that I've spent so much time planning our independent trip.

Sheila

 

[Minniespal]

My dad travelled quite extensively with his job... As a child and a teenager I visited Egypt, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Italy and parts of USA.

I loved it, from the moment I went in the car to the airport until the moment I returned home it was one big adventure for me. Some places I liked more than others but it was always something new and exciting for me. As an adult it still is.