Have you ever done a school trip to Europe?

[MaryAnnDVC]

We went with our DD last night to a meeting about a trip to Spain next April (she'll be a Junior, and in Spanish 4), and I'm just DYING to go as a chaperone!! I've never been to Europe, and I'm THRILLED that my DD has the opportunity to go. But I want to go too...and it's OK with her if I do. But it is a bit of $$$. Plus, I've got two younger kids at home that DH would have to rearrange his work schedule around, yada yada yada. If it works out that only DD can go, that's fine...I'm really excited for her, and want my kids to have opportunities I never had; I WOULD worry, with the state of the world being what it is, but I'd worry anyway...it's what I do best.

So...have you ever gone on a trip to Europe as a student, and/or as a chaperone? What was your experience?

 

[DwarfMaster]

I went to England/France nearly 10 years ago. I was about 15, and our school had made arrangements to go, but then backed out. I still really wanted to go, so my mother contacted the tour group and arranged for me to go, alone, with another school from California. I didn't know anyone but I had a great time!

I would love for my children to have the same oppurtunity when they get older. I know it was a big expense for my family, and I'm very grateful that they were able to make arrangements to send me.

She may never get this chance again...If you can do it now ~ go for it.

 

[Disfan1]

I went to England as a senior. I had a great time overall, but my jet lag was almost crippling. I still highly recommend that you let DD go & if possible, try to find a way for you to go, too. DH recently took me to England last summer and to avoid jet lag I would get up at 4AM for a couple of months before we left. It worked since I did not have jet lag at all this time. Good luck and have fun - it will be worth it!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

my best friendd went to spain last year when we were seniors..she went over spring break for i believe 10 days...her mom was afraid because of the way the world is, but jess had a great time

 

[kaseyC]

I did both. In 1981, when I was 15 I went with my Latin class on a 10 day Tour of Italy and Greece. It was an awesome trip and so much fun. Thats where I discovered wine!
In 1993 as a Social Studies teacher I chaperoned a 10 day trip to France and Germany with a group of our schools language and History students. It was alot of fun as well but a totally different experience. As a chaperone with co-ed students you have to constantly be on your toes. Our group had a total of six Chaperones with 26 students.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

We didn't do any trips like that! What a wonderful opportunity!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I went to England as a senior way back in 1981! It was a blast. We stayed with families that lived in Windsor. My friend and I were lucky enough to get placed with a young couple in their 20's with a 2 year old. Definitely go if you can!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

When DD was a freshman in high school, her band went to England. She had to make the commitment before she even started in that school. As she was only 14, I had reservations about her going with a group that, at that time, I had barely met. DH had always wanted to go to England so we stretched the $$ and he went also. He wasn't a chaperone but was one of several parents that went. They had a great time and it was nice that they had some father/daughter time. There have been no regrets, except that DH wishes that DS and I had gone too.

 

[isyne4u]

I went to Spain when I was in high school (1988) and I had the best time!!! I had to earn all my own money for the trip but I loved every minute of it. I think it would be great if you could go and share that with your daughter!!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

ps. Where in spain are they going? How long?

 

[eeyoreforever]

I went when I was 15 with a group from school, but was part of a larger group going through AIFS (American Institue for Foreign Studies). We were gone for 28 days. We went to France, Italy, Switzerland and England. Not to worry you, but we weren't chaperoned very well. One teacher went as the chaperone and there were 13 kids. We were supposed to attend classes, but only went about half the time. We did do all the tours with the group though. We never deliberately broke any rules, but our chaperone really didn't give us any, so looking back on it, I'd have to say we were pretty wild. Now mind you, this was about 27 years ago, so when I say "wild", it was wild back then, but would probably be considered pretty tame now. Anyways, I am so glad I had the opportunity to go, but wish that I had taken it a little more seriously.

I hope you get to go with your dd and make lots of memories.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The trip is over April vacation, so they'll leave Friday after school, and return Sunday...10ish days, including travel.

The school committee no longer sanctions these overseas trips, since 9/11, so technically it is considered a non-school trip.

The itinerary includes Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, and Barcelona.

There will be one teacher for every 6 students PLUS any other parents who go. The teachers have done this trip, and trips to France (they alternate every year) many times. The kids will have some free time to go off on their on (in groups of 3, preferably more), but it's a very intense tour with very little down time.

Reading these stories is getting me so excited!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sounds great, Mare, what a neat opportunity. When I was her age, we hardly knew Europe exisited, LOL. We had a choice between Iowa or Wash DC. Enjoy the planning.

 

[isyne4u]

Oh I'm so jealous!! That was like my trip but without the Barcelona component. We started in Madrid and worked our way south to the Costa del Sol. I have never seen so many beautiful pieces of architecture. The churches, the Mosques, the Roman structures!! Oh I remember everything we did!

It sounds like your group will be well chaperoned. We were well chaperoned too (well for the most part ) I was most surprised at how clean Madrid was and how wild the bus drivers could be.

I'm excited for you just thinking about it!! Good luck being able to go with your DD!!!!!

tara

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

isyne4u, the Barcelona component is a new addition to the tour this year.

Dan, she might also be going to Washington DC next year AND WDW, depending on the activities she's involved in!!

 

[DoeWDW]

My school did a trip to France for 10 days when I was a senior. There were 2 teacher chaperones and 14 - 16 girls (all had at least 2 years of french classes) as I recall. We had a wonderful trip and I'd love to go back someday.

I hope you can scrape together the money for both you and your DD to go. I really don't think you'll regret it!!

 

[auntie]

That sounds so wonderful...my daugher would love to do that. I only wish our district offered such trips. I wouln't mind tagging along either. I think it would be a great opportunity for you both, and memories you'll always treasure.

 

[cats mom]

I hope you can work your schedule/finances so you can go too.

I was able to travel to Europe a couple of times with my family while in high school.

I liked it so much I did a 6 month study abroad program in college.
It was a lot of money - but I have never regretted it.

 

[skuttle]

My college had a summer school program in few different countries. I participated in the Paris program in 1998. I spent the summer in Paris...it was about 45 students and 3 or 4 teachers from my college. We had classes in the morning and then our afternoons and weekends were free. I must say that it was one of the best experiences in my life! Never will I be able to go to Paris for that long for so "cheap". It was just a wonderful experience...something I will definitely encourage my children to do if the opportunity is there.

I hope you get to go, too!!

 

[JKanownik]

I went to Madrid, Spain when I was a junior in high school in 1996. My Spanish teacher's wife is from Spain and he invited myself and my friend Denise to go with him and his family. Denise and I had taken Spanish since 5th grade and were the top 2 in all of his classes. We stayed with a Spanish family and really got to experience the culture. We had a wonderful time. Spain is such a beautiful country. We went to museums, historical castles, farms, parks. We did some shopping and dined at some fabulous restaurants. It is an experience that I will never forget. It is because of my trip to Spain that I have decided to go to school for teaching. I would love to teach Spanish to young children. I think it is so important to know more than one language. If you have an opportunity to experience a foreign country as a student or a parent, take it. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you will not be disappointed. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

-Colleen

 

[gemmie214]

I did Germany, Austria ans Switzerland as a junior. It was a great experience