School trips are an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom – to explore new places, encounter different cultures, and experience the world first-hand. While local or short haul trips (travel within Europe) have their place, long haul travel offers something deeper: broader perspectives, richer experiences, and a chance for students to step outside their everyday environments and into truly different worlds.
The case for long-haul school trips
Long-haul school trips might involve longer flights, more planning, and a bigger commitment – but they offer life-changing rewards. Here’s why they’re worth it:
- Cultural immersion: students experience languages, customs, food, and ways of life that are vastly different from their own, helping them become more open-minded and globally aware.
- Widened Horizons: Seeing how other people live – whether it’s in a U.S tech hub or a rural Vietnamese village – helps students understand different perspectives and global issues more deeply.
- Curriculum connections can come to life: topics like world history, geography, politics, and economics become far more real and engaging when experienced in the places they actually happened.
- Personal Growth: Long haul trips often push students beyond their comfort zones, encouraging independence, adaptability, and resilience.
- Memories that stick: the farther they go, the more vivid the memories – from watching a sunrise over a canyon to eating street food in a bustling Asian market.
Discover the USA: A country of contrasts
East Coast: Living History
New York
New York City showcases diverse cultural experiences. Students can pay their respects at the 9/11 memorial and experience the monumental struggles faced by the nation in the 9/11 memorial museum. Mural graffiti is a fundamental element of community art in New York, taking a street art tour can highlight major murals which express different themes such as cultural shifts and reference to music artists such as Bowie.
“This trip met all my expectations as a trip leader. Travelbound were more helpful than any other company that I have used before to go to New York, this trip was smooth and easy in the planning process thanks to the support from Holly” HSDC
Philadelphia
The East Coast of the USA, especially cities like Philadelphia, is a dream for students studying history, politics and culture. Walk in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers at the Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell up close, and explore the roots of American democracy. It’s a powerful school trip to experience for anyone studying U.S. history or civics. Philadelphia has lots on offer for art students. The Barnes Foundations displays an impressive collection of work by Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh is featured here, which is perfect for those students wanting to know more about post-impressionist and early modern art.
Boston
Students can gain great insight into the lead up to the declaration of independence in Boston, which will really immerse students, helping them to visualise the struggle and repression which led to the liberation. Sites of the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party are crucial to include in this excursion. Students can also learn about the days of slavery during the Black Heritage Trail and explore the development of a free Black community in Massachusetts.
Louisiana
The geographical creation of hurricanes, in particular hurricane Katrina can be discussed during the Katrina tour in Louisiana. The wetlands can also be explored at the Manchac Swamp, a close encounter with amazing wildlife, which can then be translated to students’ geography syllabus.
The cultural celebration of Mardi Graz is must-see. Visit the art studios and witness the excitement and passion for those working on parade floats and creating new designs for next year. It is great for student to experience communities being proud and celebrating their culture. This in turn will translate to a wider understanding and appreciation of the world around us.
West Coast: The future in motion
Across the country, the West Coast can tell a completely different story. In Silicon Valley, students get a close-up look at the world’s most innovative companies and hear directly from tech experts. This is where tomorrow is being built, and it’s an inspiring trip for future engineers, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
San Francisco
Beyond the tech world, San Francisco is a bustling city with so much for students to explore. Located in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz is rich in history: starting of as a military fort, but best known as a maximum-security federal prison, students will be engaged when learning about American gangsters and the history of the island. Additionally, there are many opportunities to expand learning opportunities with cross-curricular options. The Tech Interactive Museum located in San Jose provides several hands-on exhibitions from building social robots to ‘Solve for Earth,’ an exhibit displaying clever ways we are tackling environmental issues.
Los Angeles
Why not see how the magic happens in Los Angeles, with a behind the scenes tour of Paramount studios and hold a Q&A session with a film industry expert. Walk along Hollywood Boulevard and visit Dolby’s Chinese Theatre to learn about iconic movie moments, or see how technologies such as Dolby vision create a captivating movie-watching experience.
Natural Wonders: Deserts and Canyons
Las Vegas
Las Vegas can also be included in the excursion, with juxtaposing landscapes of Death Valley and Bad Water, to allow students to comprehend the impacts of geographical elevation.
It’s just a short trip to Zion National Park, where students can experience some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States. The Zion Canyon Visitor Centre can inspire students about sustainability and renewable energy. Students can also explore and discuss the process of animal and plant adaptation, when discovering wildlife throughout the canyon. Similarly, why not see the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park California, with jaw-dropping waterfalls and home of the giant sequoia Mariposa trees.
“Travelbound provided us with a trip of a lifetime for our A-level geography students. We were able to fit in so many sights down the West coast USA and memories that will be with the students for a long time!” Cayman Prep and High School
Canada is bursting at the seams with culture and creativity, which can easily support students with their comprehension. Toronto is perfect for cross-curriculum excursions. Hone in on students artistic flare at the Royal Ontario Museum or see the erosive power of water at Niagara Falls, which will certainly grab your geography students’ attention.
Head East: Asia's rich culture and rapid change
Beijing: Asia’s rich culture and rapid change
In Beijing, ancient wonders stand side by side with cutting-edge development. Students can visit landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square, while also gaining insight into China’s role in the 21st-century world. Immerse your students in the traditional Chinese culture, with dumpling cookery lessons or a walking tour of the protected areas of Hutong. Mandarin and Calligraphy lessons can allow students to be engrossed into the culture first-hand, allowing them to appreciate the diversity around them. It’s a destination that sparks questions and opens minds.
“A great value trip which offered a well-balanced mix of education and fun activities. Highly recommend! There were so many memorable moments: climbing the Great Wall, exploring Hutongs and visiting a local family, a relaxing morning at the Temple of Heaven as well as interacting with locals.” Jeannine Manuel School
Vietnam: A journey of learning and reflection
From bustling cities to peaceful countryside, Vietnam offers a deep, immersive look at Southeast Asian life. Ideal for history students, Vietnam is bursting with culture and heritage. Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, showcases traditional Vietnamese architecture. As well as being a historical relic, you will often see students come to pray for luck in their upcoming exams. The temple, in particular the Thái Học courtyard was used to provide shelter for victims of the first Indochina war.
India: an immersion of bold culture
Experience an early morning sunrise at the Taj Mahal before taking in the everchanging aromatics of the Old Delhi spice markets in India. The Golden Triangle tour is a standout trip for students, highlighting Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur in immersive detail. Drawing visitors from around the world, the Blue City of Jodhpur is a sight to see, with enchanting hues of cobalt and lapis, to signify the holy skies.
The Mehrangarh Fort is now a museum for the students to glimpse into the history and culture of the Jodhpur region. The museum also holds several galleries each highlighting unique angles of Marwar’s cultural legacy.
Final Thoughts
With so many possibilities, long haul trips can be tailored for all. Allowing students to be immersed in the cultures and environments they learn about in the classroom is crucial for both their engagement in the classroom, and their understanding of the world outside it.
For more inspiration on long haul trips, why not read some of our other blogs:
Comments are closed here.