I could not wait to board my flight back to Bali.  I was stressed, tired, and completely overwhelmed with life. I sat down for a full 24 hours of travel knowing that when I landed in Denpasar, everything would immediately be better. Except—it wasn’t. Not immediately anyways.

Bali never fails in teaching me valuable lessons. Last year’s lesson helped me come to terms with beginning a new life, while this year’s lesson brought about a hard dose of reality—and tears because my throat was literally on fire. So here we go:

Let Go, Love Bali

I have tonsillitis. Actually, let’s rephrase that. I have tonsillitis…. in Bali…. And if we are being honest, it’s pretty much my fault. I understand that’s a bold statement, as nobody ever chooses to get sick on purpose—but as I laid awake patiently waiting for a café to open, I realized I shouldn’t have let it get this far.

Several years ago, I picked up a Giving Key. For those who are unfamiliar, Giving Keys are necklaces. The beauty behind the necklaces is that the keys represent people, flawed, yet one-of-a-kind, and are stamped with daily inspiration to carry us through seasons of life. Once worn for a period of time, you pay it forward by giving the key away to someone who needs it more.

My phrase was “Let Go.”

Why?

Because I can’t. I overanalyze. I overthink. I overwork.

I will be the first one to tell you that I am an ambitious workaholic who will run herself into the ground making sure that everyone else is ok. All the while, I still consider myself to be incredibly blessed. I am doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing (or so I thought), and I worked very hard to get to where I am today. Most people don’t necessarily have the opportunity to do life over, and at the age of 27 I restarted, everything.

Even though I restarted, I still held on to a few things that haven’t necessarily allowed me to be at peace moving forward. I never “let go.” For example, I didn’t allow myself the opportunity to think about what I actually wanted in my new stage of life. I was still going through the motions and doing what I thought I should be doing based on society’s standards.

The school year restarted, and I was teaching three subjects. If you are not familiar with the education system, three or more subjects is absurd. You can’t possibly excel because there is not enough time in the day. I left defeated daily because I thought I was doing a disservice to my students—always.

In addition, I was approached to coach lacrosse—in a way that was like if you don’t coach, you aren’t doing enough for the school. I loved teaching, and I loved my students more than anything. I couldn’t fathom the idea of letting the school down, so I said yes to coaching.

What. A. Disaster.

Not because of the girls. My lacrosse players were some of the best parts of my day. I simply could not breathe. I was up at 6 in the morning teaching until 4 in the afternoon, coaching until 7 in the evening (later if there was a game), and then I came home to run a business. Most nights I was up past midnight.

Ventre’s Adventures morphed into something much bigger than a passion project. This, again, was my doing because I am an overachiever. The request for trips increased and the pressure to stay “relevant” on social media amplified. I still am completely taken aback by the amount of support my company received, and I am so excited about the direction that it’s going in. However my excitement increased my workload. Most people think that traveling is easy. Y’all—leading trips is not a vacation. In fact, I work during my vacation days. That’s typically when Ventre’s Adventures departs.

As I left for Bali, things began to crack. My eighth year of teaching took a massive toll. By February, I knew that I needed a career shift, but I worried about abandoning my students. Seriously, I never allowed myself to catch a break.

Personally my life was messy too. I was lonely. I lost many friends. Partly because I worked so much, and partly because I couldn’t relate to people anymore. I’m not married. I am chasing two careers at once, and I find solace on an airplane. Dating—nonexistent. I have been on some disaster dates all ending with the synopsis of me as overly ambitious woman with a big personality that travels more than necessary. Thank you, next.

I’m not complaining. That’s not what this post is about. I chose this. All of this. I wanted to accomplish so many goals and to adventure to far off places. I just stopped being proud of myself in the process. I was overthinking and overanalyzing everything. I became too intimidated to tell my parents that I wanted to change careers, too scared to tell friends that I needed help, and too worried about letting people down.

Fast forward to me dying at my Airbnb in Canggu, and we are officially all caught up. It was 4:12 am. The earliest café opened at 6:00 am, which meant that I had 2 hours to entertain myself before I could eat and take the antibiotics.

It was in that moment of solitude that I realized my life needed to change, again. I didn’t want to be intimidated, to overthink or to overanalyze. I began to tell people how I felt, immediately. From a poke bowl lunch, to tearful phone calls to friends, to a stressful conversation about a career change, I put myself out there. I let go.

Were the conversations hard? Absolutely. Did some of the conversations crash and burn. Yes—but each time I began to feel a sense of relief, a sense of happiness.

Before returning to Atlanta, I watched the most beautiful sunset with that rare kind of company who appreciated everything about me, flaws and all. As the sun was fading, I remember hearing, “Bali must love you because she is giving you a stunning goodbye.” Smiling, I couldn’t help but think I actually love myself too.

So that’s the lesson.

Let Go.

Have faith in whatever will be will be, but fight like hell for what you want. Be proud of who you are, and not ashamed of how someone else sees you. The people who are meant to stick around will. The people who don’t are doing you a favor.

Be fearlessly authentic. Allow yourself to chase your dreams and choose your happiness. Have those tough conversations. Lay it all out there because life is too crazy and too short for you to miss out on something amazing.

Oh—incase you’re wondering, I have officially passed on my Giving Key.

To whom?

Well let’s just say it’s the rare kind of company I hope to reunite with again soon. Until then, I’m doing my very best to let go.

The post Let Go, Love Bali appeared first on Ventres Adventures.

Let me start out by saying that when my alarm goes off in the morning, I always press snooze. Always. Which is funny because I absolutely love everything that I have going on in my life right now. However just because I love it, doesn’t mean that I am immune to the snooze button.

My life goes one thousand miles an hour. Seriously. I wish I was joking, but it’s true. Currently I am in my 8^th year as a high school teacher, and I am teaching three different subjects—two of which I designed curriculum for. I am the head Junior Varsity Girl’s Lacrosse Coach. And oh yeah, I launched a business that is currently planning 6 different international trips at one time, while meeting with brands and potential partners.

Yikes…please send coffee.

Most people who know me well understand that I thrive when my plate is abundantly full. Perhaps that’s why I am incapable of slowing down. Then again, why should I? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had multiple encounters with the “you may just be single forever” folk—but, whatever.

If these past two years have taught me anything, it’s that you can have your cake and eat it too. You just need to be selective about the kind cake you want and the times in which you allow yourself to eat. If anyone tells you any differently, then that person is holding you back from who you are meant to become.

Beyoncé

I frequently see this quote on Instagram:

Ok, cool. I get it. Beyoncé and I have the same amount of hours in a day. No disrespect to Beyoncé, but she and I are on two entirely different levels or playing fields. She gets nominated for a Grammy, and she steps into the stoplight beautifully with her kids thanking everyone who took the time to notice the intricacies of her newest album. I get nominated for Atlanta’s Most Inspiring, and my head is on my desk while I am Face-timing my mom, holding a glass of wine, and trying to figure out how I am going to be in two different places at one time. Clearly—feeling super inspirational at that moment.

I always preach time management to my high school students, and it was at that moment of “inspiration” that decided to maybe adjust my schedule. So I did. It’s been four months, and my energy has increased ten-fold. I am still doing everything that I want to, and I am much happier doing it. Hence the “you can have your cake, and eat it too.”

So here we go.

Five tips on how to effectively manage time, so that you can have your cake and eat it too.

Time Management Tip #1: Get Organized

I have two offices: my classroom and my personal home office. The difference between the two is quite ridiculous. One looks like a tornado rolled through, and the other is pristine. Regardless of the set up, both are organized to a fault. Step one in managing your time is managing your things….all of your things: specifically the space where you will do your things, as well as the actual things you need to do.

Organization of your work space is absolutely crucial. My classroom at the end of the day looks like a disaster, but y’all I have 150 kids. My students know exactly where everything is located: the essential question, the projector, the supplies,  my snacks (unfortunately), and my computer.  Things move faster in my classroom when everything has a place, and when things are written down accordingly.

My home office is much more organized. I have a massive homemade chalkboard with goals, a wall calendar detailing important dates and payments, a set of Joanna Gaines approved filing cabinets for all of my paperwork, and a backup hard drive with alphabetized spread sheets. Now I totally understand that some people may find that a little OCD, but the more organized I became—the less time I spent trying to find what I was looking for. Another added bonus is the fact that everything I need is in one room. When I am trying to unwind and separate myself from all of the work I have, nothing is out in the kitchen, living room, etc. I can zone in to work, and then completely set it aside when I am finished.

In addition, it’s really easy to stress about all of the things you need to get done when you’re constantly thinking about them. Excess thinking doesn’t make your stress level decrease, and it sure doesn’t complete all of the tasks you have either. Write down everything: the dates, the payments, the lacrosse plays, the lesson plans—everything that keeps you awake. I am a firm believer that once you write it out, you are no longer left with anything to think about.

Which brings me to my next point…

Time Management Tip #2: Create Manageable “To Do” Lists

I’m sure you’re thinking that writing everything down doesn’t actually help you accomplish the tasks at hand.  Step two in managing your time is managing your to-do lists. This was and probably still is the hardest for me to do.  As soon as I write everything down, I instantly think: nope…not happening. I actually lost time and productivity because I became increasingly overwhelmed with everything I needed to get done.

Rachel Hollis helped me with this one. Girl Wash Your Face is my new Bible.  “To Do” lists need to be focused, close ended, and prioritized.

My To Do List was a hot mess.

I took the Rachel Hollis approach. After writing everything down that I needed to get done, I prioritized, and set deadlines.  Instead of trying to complete 30 tasks in a day, crying, and drinking wine (obviously my “To Do” list wasn’t the only thing that was a hot mess), I gave myself 2-3 manageable tasks a day. Each task was specific, and created based on the set deadline.  All my tasks are colored coded based on teaching, coaching, and marketing—but that’s just me.

It is the most satisfying feeling to cross an item off the “To Do” list.

Time Management Tip #3: Get Rid Of Your Cell Phone

Ok, this doesn’t need much explaining. Do you know that the average person spends 4 hours a day on his or her phone? That means that we spend ONE DAY a week on our phones.

Step three in managing your time is managing your cell phone usage. I remember the first time my phone gave me my weekly screen time report. I thought how intrusive of you, Apple, to tell me how long I stare at my screen.

This is actually my new favorite IPhone feature. I spend way too much time scrolling, specifically on social media. To be fair, Ventre’s Adventures requires a social media and blog presence, but moderation is key. I make my students put their phones in what I call “the phone spa” every day, so I started leaving my phone in the other room when I needed to get things done.

Believe it or not, it works.

Then again I also have text messaging on my computer—but baby steps y’all.

Time Management Tip #4: Keep Your Promises

Another tough one, and another Rachel Hollis tidbit. You absolutely must honor your commitment to yourself, to your career(s), and to your tribe. Step four in managing your time is managing your promises.

Do not… I repeat, do not quit on yourself. Women tend to have this bad habit. We talk about the things we’d like to do, be, try, and accomplish, but once we get to the moment of actually doing it, we fold faster than card table at a sip n’ shop.

I know that blowing off a workout, a date, a deadline, or an afternoon organizing your expenses doesn’t seem like a big deal—but it is. It is a really big deal. Our words have power, but our actions shape our lives. If you choose, today, not to break another promise to yourself, you will force yourself to prioritize.

I work out 4-5 days a week. How? I write it down on my calendar and on my to do list that I am going to.  I schedule the gym into my busy workweek. I honor my promise to myself. Some days—yeah I may feel like skipping because I have too much going on…but a shitty workout is way better than a missed session altogether.

The same holds true to your career and your goals. If you make excuses and push tasks off to the next day, you will never accomplish what you set out to do.

Keep. Your. Promises.

Be that person that shows up ready to seize the day knowing that even if you don’t do your best at that one moment, you still showed up. You still crossed that item off your “To Do” list.

Time Management Tip #5: Just Say No

I know I said that you could have your cake and eat it too, but at some point you are going to have to make a decision. This is where the whole choose the cake you want to eat statement comes into play. Step five in managing your time is managing your “yes.”

I teach, I coach, and I run my own business. I also still want to be a human being, and go out with friends, go on dates, and see family….and travel. I always want to travel.

As I progressed through this journey of teacher, boss babe, and coach, I quickly realized that I couldn’t say yes to everything—but I did anyways. If I’m being 100% honest, I didn’t even want to do most of what I committed to, but I felt like I was going to miss out on some opportunity: being teacher of the year, finding the love of my life (ha!), or adventuring with friends.

Saying yes actually did more damage than saying no. Saying no showed me who my real friends were, and helped me prioritize what I needed to accomplish. Saying no helped me keep my promises.

Do I need to re create a new lesson that was perfect last year? No.

Do I need to meet with every brand that is interested in Ventre’s Adventures? No.

Do I need to go to every social event? No.

Saying no is as empowering as it is comforting.

My students still did phenomenally well on their exams. Ventre’s Adventures is thriving. And guess what? My best friends are still here, just as supportive as ever. My prince charming is clearly lost on a turtle, but that’s beside the point.

The best part of saying no was that I could totally focus on what I wanted to do in that moment. I am no longer running around or cramming things into a schedule that never worked to begin with.

Insert breathe here.

So there it is.

Those are my five steps to improve time management. The best part is that as I began to better manage my time, I began to better manage my happiness and my health.  It’s funny how sometimes it may seem like life is totally spinning out of control, but with a few decisions everything can subside.

That’s why I don’t like the people who tell you that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Those people don’t know me, and those people don’t know you. You are completely in charge or your own happiness in life. You are never stuck.

Manage your time. Chase your dreams. Venture Further.

Some Tools To Help:

The post 5 Steps to Improve Time Management appeared first on Ventres Adventures.

2018, wow.

You know that saying “Shit Happens?” Insert that saying here.

2018 forced me to accept some life changes I wasn’t ready for, but I made it (with 2 days to spare)–and I learned so much about myself in the process.

When I was in Patagonia in April, I learned about a small group of flamingos that inhabited the cold wilderness at one of the southern most points of South America. Relatives to the Andean flamingos in northern Chile, these adorable pink birds can survive some of the harshest weather conditions. They stand on one leg to conserve body heat, while facing directly into the wind so that the water doesn’t seep into their feathers. Sometimes the temperature drops low enough that the flamingos actually get frozen into the water overnight! Not to worry, though. They eventually thaw out in the morning.  Absolutely crazy!

At this point you might be asking yourself, what do these flamingos have to do with 2018? Well—everything.

2018 was the year of change. To me, the whole concept of change is almost ironic. Everyone goes through it. In fact, most people even search for it. At the start of each New Year, we all look to change a certain behavior, a certain lifestyle, or a certain something about ourselves and/or surroundings that we don’t particularly enjoy.

However 80% of resolutions fail by February. I believe that the irony surrounding change lies in the fact that we don’t always like it. At least not at first. Change can be unbelievably uncomfortable.

As a teacher, I always told my students that change is great. New beginnings bring new opportunities, and new opportunities should be celebrated. I definitely did not look at all of my changes, self-created or not, with the same sense of optimism that I preached to my students.

I went through many life changes in 2018, and I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t great at handling all of them. I became single for the first time in 4 years. I found myself home most weekends I wasn’t traveling because I lost people who I thought were my friends. (Side note: divorce isn’t contagious. Relax, people). I started my own business Ventre’s Adventures, which is a huge investment—one of time, money, and wayyyyy too many Instagram pictures.

I was hopeful and eager for new opportunities, but I actually found myself…insecure.

• A failed marriage brought insecurities to new relationships.
• Weekends home led to insecurities of “missing out.”
• New business ventures led to insecurities and doubts of success.

I dealt with many of those insecurities through traveling. I figured if I could push myself far out of my comfort zone, than real life would get easier. So in 2018, I ventured—far. I traveled to 10 countries in 6 months, and I thought about not returning quite a few times. Creating a new reality seemed easier than dealing with all of the changes that had become my new norm.

Through each adventure, change became easier, and some of my insecurities eventually faded. Similar to the flamingos in Patagonia that were once frozen in water, I “thawed” and became a little more comfortable with my new conditions. It definitely was not an overnight process. I overanalyzed, overthought, and got in my own head.

But, slowly, I began to accept and face the changes head on.

My resolution for 2019 is much different than previous years. Instead of seeking self-change, I am seeking self-acceptance…and, I challenge you to do the same. Change is inevitable, and at some point in 2019 we are all going to be faced with it whether we wanted to or not. When that change does happen we have two options: we can remain frozen, or we can “thaw.”

So no matter what you decide your resolution to be in 2019, (weight loss, career change, relocation etc.), I hope your change brings you peace and, most importantly, self-acceptance.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

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With the holidays just around the corner, I put together a gift guide of my favorite things that are essential for the traveling student.

Need a few ideas? Scroll through my favorite gifts below and click on any of the images to purchase!

Porter Osprey 46

Osprey Atmos 65

Long Champ Medium Tote

Patagonia Quilted T-Snap Pullover

Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover

Fujimax Instant Camera

Nikon D5300 DSLR & Kit

Aviate ATL Hat

Monogrammed Necklace

Suede Wrap Journal

Set of Flower Notebooks

Passport Cover & Luggage Tag

Passport Cover

Wireless Beats Headphones

Portable Charger

Portable Blow Dryer

Northface Women’s Raincoat

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

Major Carly Sorel Boot

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright!

The post The Gift Guide For Those Who Study Abroad appeared first on Ventres Adventures.

And so she thought to herself, adventure is the best way to learn.

There are a multitude of travel companies out there, and it can be overwhelming when deciding which company to choose when venturing abroad.

So why choose us?

Ventre’s Adventures Triad Model of Values

1. Education: We believe in transformative learning experiences that challenge your academic, cultural, physical, and personal comfort zones. Each trip is carefully designed by teachers, and targets specific learning goals. Our founder, Kristy Ventre, believes that the best learning environments extend far beyond four walled classrooms, and into a globalized community and culture.
2. Small Business Approach: We believe in the power of small and localized businesses because we are one. Forget big buses and generic vibes. Ventre’s Adventures partners with local vendors, all of which are accredited through their country’s tourism board. We prefer a communal approach to travel, and we love to give back to the local economy.
3. Eco-Friendly Tourism: We believe international travel is important, but that traveling correctly is crucial. Traveling is changing. Thanks to social media and the multitude of travel blogs (ours included), destinations are becoming overcrowded with several sites seeing severe degradation. Ventre’s Adventures sees the responsibility in leading by example. Therefore we participate in safe and sustainable travel through our partnerships with eco-friendly companies and conservation organizations.

Curated, Boutique Experiences

We understand that you want to make the most of your time abroad. Therefore Ventre’s Adventures includes some of the best activities. We are excited to help you check off that bucket list adventure, get off the beaten path, and capture that Instagram worthy shot. 

Customized, Personal Support

We are so excited to make your international travel dream a reality. From the very first day you enroll to the day you arrive home from your adventure, you will have a personal advocate by your side. Forget impersonal 1-800-numbers! Just send us a text, or give us a quick call. We’ll be there to help with enrollment meetings, pre departure information, and post departure follow ups.

Risk Management Preparedness

Safety is our number one concern at Ventre’s Adventures. We take a proactive approach to safety on all programs. We spend a substantial amount of time researching locations, interviewing partners, and deciding on the safest itinerary. We are constantly monitoring current events and the U.S. State Department’s travel advisements.

Students on tour are required to follow precautions designed to minimize potentially dangerous situations. Prior to departure, all students and parents are briefed over rules, policies, and safety precautions. All students are registered with the US embassy, and are required to obtain travel insurance. Students are required to stay in groups with a chaperone at all times.

Clear communication is a key component to safety. Ventre’s Adventures will be transparent and forthcoming regarding any issue whether communicating with a student, adult, local vendor, and/or insurance company.

Family Feel

Traveling transforms you. Not only do the experiences shape your future, but also the people you meet impact your life. Ventres’ Adventures believes in the power of positive and meaningful relationships, and we really go the extra mile to make the process as comfortable as possible. Additionally purposeful small group enrollment provides a sense of nomadic camaraderie and bonds for years to come.

Ready to Jet Set? Start Here

The post Why Choose Ventre’s Adventures appeared first on Ventres Adventures.

Bali, July 2018:

I thought I was going to die…like actually die. I suddenly found myself second-guessing my decision to chase after an Instagram worthy picture because at that exact moment I was sitting on the back of a scooter flying down a narrow mountainous road.

A nomadic acquaintance tried to reassure me by calmly stating we had complete control of the brakes. However as I held on a little too tight and squeezed my eyes closed, I knew that was entirely not the case.

So how did I end up in Pura Lempuyang, Bali, on the back of a scooter with a stranger, holding on for dear life? Whelp, let’s back track—shall we?

 Last year I entered my seventh year as a high school teacher, and honestly, I started second guessing my career choice. No, this is not a post about the lack of appreciation for teachers, even though the lack of gratitude is a real problem. I was simply exhausted. I taught three different preps with maxed out class sizes. I was also the curriculum lead for all three preps meaning that I designed the majority of the lessons and the exams.

The professional part of teaching was only one facet of my job. My students are like family. I have always cared greatly for them, so I constantly poured myself into my job making sure they were “ok.” A lot happens in high school, and when you’re young, everything feels as if the world is ending. In a community obsessed with perfection, I worried about my students. I always made sure I was there for them when needed. I was burning out.

When the school day ended, I came home to an even more stressful situation. My marriage wasn’t working—at all. We were constantly arguing, and I was always crying. My parents were, and still continue to be, the best role models for marriage. In trying to be in tandem with them, I did whatever I could do to make my marriage work: attended counseling, canceled plans with friends, and changed my entire personality to fit this particular mold of marriage.

Unsurprisingly none of that actually worked. Instead I was burnt out with work, unhappy in my marriage, self-isolated from family and friends, and completely lost to who I was as a person. I became so many things to so many people that I forgot who I was to myself. I desperately needed a change. It was in that moment of helplessness and despair that I remembered what I always told my students:

There are days that you may feel defeated and down, and that the whole world is against you; but you are never stuck. You can always push forward. You can always change the course or direction in your own life.

My amazing family and I, not in Bali.

As teachers, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves when serving others.  I forgot about myself. In fact, I lost myself. I needed to take my own advice, and push forward.

So I did.

I filed for divorce.

I finished the year out teaching.

While I can steadily write those two sentences now, the process was everything but easy.  The unwavering support of my family and friends helped me through the divorce, and the hilarious personalities of my students (you all know who you are) helped me finish my year teaching.

But—something was still missing. I was still missing.

I booked a last minute flight to Bali.

My love for traveling and adventure have never steered me wrong in the past. I figured if Bali worked for Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, then it could work for me too. Bali indeed changed my life. I rediscovered myself there. Bali’s sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields exuded peace and serenity. I trekked in the jungle in the middle of nowhere. I got way too sunburned at Padang Padang Beach. I sank (literally) into the rice fields near Amed. I made the best of friends in Canggu, and I ran away from all the monkeys in Ubud.

Not only did I venture into the unknown, but also I picked up the pieces. I laughed loudly, sat silently, and talked way too quickly with a new found excitement for life once more. Fast forward back to my scooter hurling down the side of a mountain towards Pura Lempuyang, and we are officially all caught up.

Life is hard. Sometimes really hard. In fact, in the realms of “adulting,” I’m not quite sure if I’m making it. I am a divorced, almost thirty year old who totally changed the path of her life; yet I think I’ve finally come to terms with it all. In a sense, my scooter ride to Pura Lempuyang symbolized my life this past year: crazy, unpredictable, and a little out of control. But when the ride ended and my nerves subsided, I was facing the Gates of Heaven—one of the most beautiful and breathtaking views I have ever seen. I suppose that’s like life too. When all the craziness subsides and you hold true to your new path, you are left with something absolutely beautiful.

So book that flight. Find your Bali. Discover the people, the places, the things that leave you marveling at life because while everything may be in complete disarray, you may end up exactly where you needed to be the entire time.

The post Find Your Bali appeared first on Ventres Adventures.

If you’re an educator like me, you are continuously pushing the limits in your classroom to better connect with the students that are inside of it; to create a lasting impact in their lives and to help them find their individual passions and pursuits for the future. As a social studies teacher, I am constantly plagued by the complaints of teenagers who could truly not care less about any historic event prior to World War II. And during some years, World War II is even a stretch.

When I managed to make content “cool,” I felt victorious. However most days I found myself with my head on my desk, defeated.

If there is one question I get asked more than anything else by my students, it has to be the dreaded “so why does this matter?” I, as an educator, can answer that question with a multitude of reasons. But my students still didn’t care. I needed to change my tactics. If I wanted my students to marvel at something, I needed to give them something to marvel at. I, very hesitantly, decided to bring my passion for travel into the classroom. That decision transformed everything.

My students fell in love with the people I met, the stories I told, and the cultures I immersed myself in. Eventually my students began asking if they could travel with me. Caught completely off guard and a little too eager, I committed to a trip in 2012. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There was no advice or guidebook available. Nothing written by teachers for teachers, and it was unnerving.

Fast forward six years and hundreds of panic attacks later, I have successfully established a program that takes high school students abroad every year. Through my experiences, I discovered that teachers must possess certain qualities should they choose to travel with their students.

So, if you want to travel abroad with students, consider these personal attributes.

1. You have experience.

This may seem like a no brainer, but you will be surprised how much this matters. There is something to be said for those who learn as they go. However in order to successfully recruit your students to travel abroad you must convince their parents.Students will flock to your trip, but parents need reassurance. Even if you haven’t been to the particular location that you are taking your students to, it is important to have a basic understanding of international travel: packing, currency conversion, transportation, medical requirements, etc. The more experience you have, the smoother the trip will be for both the parents and the students.

2. You spread good vibes.

Let’s be honest. Teenagers complain—a lot. In fact, there are some days traveling where I question why some of my students signed up for the trip to begin with. Do not let that deter you and your positive attitude. If you submit yourself to even a thought of negativity, the students will see that as an opportunity to unleash their complaints. Fake it ‘til you make it is the perfect motto for this situation.

Trust me. Everyone will be tired. There will be food that students will refuse to eat. Things will not go as planned. And the bathrooms—well, there will be some interesting dynamics. The point is that you as a teacher must spread good vibes. You are the leader and the role model of the group. That’s not to say that you can never be tired, or that you should never freak out over a hole in the ground that is essentially your toilet. However what that does mean is that your students will be watching you and your responses all the time. You should never be tired or cranky in front of them.

My students always poke fun at me because my enthusiasm reminds them of being a little kid. I always enjoy reminding my students where they are in the world, and how awesome this adventure truly is. The more positive I am, the more positive my students will be. The more positive my students will be, the more positive the overall trip experience will be.

3. You are the calm in the chaos.

Picture this. You are on a speedboat with 20 students charting out to the Galapagos Islands. The water is serene; the sky, picturesque. Suddenly the weather begins to change. The sun sinks behind tempestuous clouds, and the waves slowly begin to rise. Your speedboat with 20 students travels directly into a storm. The adrenaline kicks in as the speedboat rides out the enormous waves that smash into your seats. After fifteen minutes, the storm subsides. However the worst isn’t over.

After battling the waves, the speedboat stops running. The captain and crew realize that the speedboat ran out of gas. You are now swaying in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The adrenaline dissipates from your students, and they succumb to seasickness, quickly.

For some, this scenario brings about an immense sense of anxiety. For my students and I, this scenario was simply just another day in Ecuador. Although the mission was a little….sketchy, we eventually were rescued and everyone survived. While this example is definitely a more extreme scenario, situations arise on trips with students—constantly. As a leader, you must remain calm. Preparation and travel experience helps with this. Students are already a little weary about traveling to another continent. If you panic, the situation will only escalate. Take deep breaths. You got this!

4. You are in good health.

Wow—teenagers have a ton of energy. It never stops, which is ironic because students tend to never have any energy in the classroom. If you want to travel with students, you have to be able to keep up with them. Typically that means waking up before they do and staying up after they go to bed, walking long distances daily, and participating in most of the activities. If you are unable to keep up with your students, the group will run behind schedule causing students to miss reservations. It’s important that your students take advantage of every opportunity abroad on their trip.

5. You are selfless.

Let’s face it. You love to travel. Why else would you contemplate taking students abroad? The idea of strolling through Florence, visiting the Sydney Opera House, or cage diving in Gansbaai, South Africa excites you! Here’s the thing though—this trip isn’t for you. It’s not your vacation. This is a study abroad opportunity for your students, and honestly, they’re not going to always do what you want to do. If you want to travel with high school students, you have to treat the trip as a job for you but as a vacation for them. You must continue your acts of selflessness far beyond the extent of your classroom. For me, that means staying up late to create the perfect itinerary for my students. It also means planning multiple avenues for free time, and taking about a zillion pictures of all my students for their parents when abroad.

6. You are tough when necessary.

Sometimes being a teacher means being the “bad guy.” While this may be easy to execute in the classroom, it is absolutely crucial to set and maintain the same tone abroad. Teenage students will push to try and get away with as much as possible, and this only amplifies when they journey outside of the country. Their safety is more at risk outside of the classroom, and as a teacher, you are one hundred percent responsible for their overall wellbeing. If you want to travel abroad with high school students, you must be tough when necessary. A good rule of thumb is to establish the rules before you and your students venture abroad. With expectations already set, the trip will run much more smoothly. For information on how to create rules abroad, check back for a post coming soon!

7. You really, really, really, love your students.

I have always loved to travel. I am actually kind of obsessed. In fact, I just need an excuse to get on an airplane. However traveling with my students is my absolute favorite way to travel. For many of my students, traveling with me is their first time abroad. Watching them experience everything for the first time is amazing. They are unfiltered, uneasy, and unapologetically themselves.

Each group becomes a family. We are together 24 hours a day for 2 to 3 weeks in the summer. Every conquered fear and bold beginning happens together, as does almost every meal of the day. The laughs echo through every mode of transportation, and the tears always fall on our last day. Giving my students the best trip possible is the most fulfilled I have ever been in my career. Watching them grow as people and continually keep in touch when we return is a never ending blessing. Just look at these videos that my students put together:

Ready to take your students abroad? Email me at Kristy@ventresadventures.com to get started!

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