In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Swaney, an experienced educator, to discuss how to handle medical emergencies while traveling with students. From pre-trip preparations to responding to emergencies on the ground, Carolyn shares essential tips for ensuring student safety abroad.

Key Highlights:

Pre-Trip Preparation: Learn what steps Carolyn takes before the trip to ensure preparedness, including gathering the right medical information from students and parents, and making sure every student has proper travel insurance coverage.

Responding to Emergencies: Carolyn walks us through real-life scenarios, sharing how she manages medical situations abroad, handles language barriers, and keeps the group calm during a crisis.

Working with Local Healthcare: Find out how to navigate local healthcare systems when you need medical assistance abroad and how to find reputable healthcare providers quickly.

Post-Emergency Handling & Communication: Discover the best practices for communicating with parents back home while managing the emergency on-site, and gain valuable insights into lessons learned from Carolyn’s experiences.

Whether you’re planning your first international trip with students or are looking for ways to improve your emergency preparedness, this episode provides practical, real-world advice to help keep your students safe and ensure a smooth experience during medical emergencies abroad.

Don't miss this informative discussion on how to handle the unexpected with confidence!

If you are looking for great resources that will make your trip abroad with your students, be sure to check out the resources like The Ultimate Group Leader’s Travel Bundle; it literally has everything you need to set you up for success on your next trip abroad.

Episode Overview:
In this episode, I sit down with Sara, an experienced group leader who shares a valuable story about the importance of travel insurance and how to navigate flight delays with student travelers. Sara recounts a challenging experience where her group's flight was canceled, and how she had to manage the situation while ensuring her chaperones—who were traveling on a separate flight—were also taken care of when their flight was delayed.

Sara explains how travel insurance played a crucial role in helping her group navigate this nightmare scenario. Thanks to insurance, they were reimbursed for expenses and managed to turn what could have been a disaster into a manageable situation. Sara also shares her insights on selecting the best chaperones for your group—those who are well-traveled, calm under pressure, and ready to handle any emergency situations that may arise.

Join us as we discuss:

Why travel insurance is a must-have for student group trips

How travel insurance helped Sara’s group during a flight cancellation and delay

The importance of choosing the right chaperones who can manage emergency situations

Tips for preparing your group for potential flight delays or cancellations

The role of communication and preparation in managing unexpected travel issues

Why You Should Listen:
This episode is packed with practical advice for group leaders, teachers, and chaperones who want to ensure their student trips go smoothly—even when the unexpected happens. From the value of travel insurance to tips on selecting experienced chaperones, Sara’s insights will help you be better prepared for any travel challenges that come your way.

Guest:
Sara is an experienced travel leader who has successfully managed countless student trips. With firsthand knowledge of how to navigate travel disruptions and the importance of proper preparation, she shares her wisdom and advice on making trips as stress-free as possible for both travelers and chaperones.

Episode Overview:
In this episode, I interview Stefanie, an educator who takes her students on enriching and impactful trips that align with her curriculum requirements. Stefanie exclusively organizes Service Learning Trips, STEM Tours, and Summit Leadership Conferences for her students, and in this conversation, she shares the incredible value these tours bring to both her students and their learning experiences.

Stefanie discusses how these travel experiences enhance her curriculum in unique ways, offering students the opportunity to immerse themselves in global issues, tackle real-world challenges, and develop skills that go beyond the classroom. Whether it's problem-solving through STEM education, participating in global leadership conferences, or making a direct impact on communities through service learning, these trips provide lifelong learning opportunities.

Join us as we discuss:

The benefits of STEM Tours and how they help students think critically and creatively to solve global problems

The power of Summit Leadership Conferences for fostering leadership skills and preparing students for the future

How Service Learning Trips give students hands-on experience with nonprofits and NGOs, allowing them to make meaningful contributions to global communities

How to integrate these types of trips into your curriculum for enhanced student engagement and learning

Why You Should Listen:
If you're an educator looking to enhance your curriculum through global and immersive experiences, this episode is for you! Stefanie provides a wealth of information and inspiration, and she encourages other teachers to consider these three impactful trip options for their next student tour. These travel experiences go beyond sightseeing—they offer transformative learning opportunities that prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Guest:
Stefanie is an educator with extensive experience organizing tours that focus on Service Learning, STEM education, and global leadership. Through these transformative trips, she inspires her students to think critically, collaborate across cultures, and become active global citizens.

*Have you always wanted to travel the world with your students , but you don’t know where to begin? CLICK HERE to learn how to take your students on an adventure of a lifetime!

Are you already a teacher who shows your students the world? Visit www.teachershowmetheworld.com and be sure to check out these free educational travel resources to help you show your students the world.

Join our FaceBook Group of like-minded teachers and connect, learn from and be inspired by other teachers who show their students the world.

In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Stefanie who runs an incredibly successful non-school sponsored travel program at her school. She shares her journey of building this program from the ground up, including how she recruits students, engages with parents, and uses social media to create a thriving travel community.

We dive into the benefits of running a travel program that’s not school-sponsored, and how being in charge means she has the freedom to design the program on her own terms. From choosing destinations to managing logistics, she’s calling the shots—and it’s paying off.

Join us as we discuss:

How she recruits students for her travel program and keeps them engaged year after year

The power of social media in building a community and promoting travel opportunities

The unique advantages of running a non-school sponsored program, from flexibility to creative control

Tips for teachers looking to start their own non-school sponsored travel programs

This episode is a must-listen for teachers, educators, or anyone interested in organizing student travel without the constraints of school bureaucracy. You’ll walk away with new ideas and inspiration to take your travel programs to the next level.

Guest:
Our guest Stefanie is an experienced teacher and travel program organizer who has successfully created a popular, non-school sponsored travel program that continues to grow each year. With her passion for education and travel, she’s inspiring other teachers to take control and bring international learning experiences to their students.

In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned group leader who shares a real-life experience from a recent tour, where one of their travelers lost their passport in a foreign country. With international travel often being unpredictable, it’s a scenario that could happen to anyone. We explore the steps, decisions, and emotions involved in handling such a stressful situation while also ensuring the rest of the group remains on track.

Join us as we discuss:

The immediate actions taken when a passport went missing

How to stay calm under pressure and keep the group organized

Navigating local embassies, consulates, and emergency travel documentation

Tips for preparing travelers for worst-case scenarios before embarking on a trip

Key lessons learned for future tours

This episode provides valuable insight into how to manage a crisis on the road, and offers essential advice for travel leaders, tour guides, and travelers themselves. Tune in to hear firsthand advice on what to do if one of your travelers loses their passport—and how to recover from the worst-case scenario with confidence.

To help stay organized while on tour, be sure to use the Ultimate Digital Travel Binder to keep all of your important documents at your fingertips. Check out more World Travel Resources that will help prepare your students for traveling overseas by clicking here! In addition, be sure to join the Teacher Show Me the World Facebook group to be a part of a community of like-minded educators who show their students the world!

In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Sklar for an engaging conversation about how teachers can create enriching, educational experiences for their students before, during, and after a trip abroad. Stacey shares her expert advice on how to go beyond just being a trip leader and instead, actively design learning opportunities that make the most of each moment. We dive into how teachers can build excitement pre-trip while setting clear educational goals, and explore strategies for making the destination come to life through pre-trip research and activities. Stacey offers fantastic tips on setting expectations, fostering student engagement, and turning everyday experiences during the trip into valuable learning moments.

The fun continues as we talk about ways to keep the learning going once back in the classroom. Stacey shares creative ideas for post-trip reflection and how teachers can help students share their experiences to deepen their understanding. If you're looking to enhance your world travel program and truly maximize the educational potential of your trips, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and inspiration. Teachers will walk away with actionable strategies to make their student travel programs more impactful than ever!

Get Your Students Ready for Their Global Adventure! 🌍✈️

Before you head off on your next big trip, make sure your students are fully prepared with the Global Traveler Challenge Simulation! This engaging, hands-on tool helps students explore key aspects of global travel—like cultural awareness, budgeting, navigating foreign destinations, and problem-solving—before stepping foot in a new country. It's the perfect way to ignite excitement while building essential skills for a smooth and educational trip.

Ready to be the ultimate group leader? Check out the Ultimate Group Leader’s Travel Bundle for every resource you'll need to guide your students through their travels. From pre-trip planning to on-the-ground activities, this bundle ensures you're equipped for success at every step of the journey.

🔗 Global Traveler Challenge Simulation: Get it here!
🔗 Ultimate Group Leader’s Travel Bundle: Get it here!

Start preparing for the adventure of a lifetime today! 🌏📚

In this episode, I sit down with the dynamic Marah Walsh, founder of the EF Group Leaders Facebook page and a passionate full-time travel agent.

Marah’s story is a testament to following your passion and making bold career shifts. She begins by sharing her unique journey from a successful marketing career to becoming a leader in the travel industry.

With a love for exploring the world, Marah has visited numerous countries, and she’s eager to inspire others to do the same. Her journey into the world of travel was fueled by a deep love for adventure and cultural exploration, and today, she helps others live out their own travel dreams.

Marah also dives into the creation of the EF Group Leaders Facebook community—an invaluable space for Group Leaders to connect, share tips, and support one another. She explains how the group grew from a simple idea to a thriving hub for travel organizers.

Today, Marah focuses on adult group travel, a shift she made to meet the evolving needs of her clients. As she shares her experience of leading group trips, Marah reveals the essential tools and resources that have helped her build her successful travel business and provides insight for anyone considering organizing their own trips.

The episode wouldn’t be complete without Marah reflecting on some of her most unforgettable travel moments, the challenges she's faced as a trip leader, and the personal transformation travel has had on her life. With her down-to-earth advice and candid storytelling, Marah encourages listeners to take that leap of faith and explore the world—whether on a group tour or an independent adventure. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and practical travel wisdom!

Welcome to a special one-year anniversary episode of Teacher Show Me the World! In this milestone episode, I reflect on the incredible growth of the podcast and shares five game-changing New Year’s resolutions for taking international trips with students to the next level in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting to think about taking students abroad, these practical resolutions will help you stay organized, enrich your students’ travel experience, and step up your travel game.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Get Organized with My Digital Travel Binder– Tips for streamlining all your trip logistics in one easily accessible place to keep you stress-free and ready for anything.

Pre-Trip Enrichment for Students –Global Traveler Challenge Simulation: How a fun and interactive pre-trip simulation can help prepare your students for the culture and logistics of international travel.

Go Liquid-Free in Our Carry-On Bags – A resolution to simplify packing by switching to TSA-friendly solid and powder travel products, making your journey smoother and more efficient.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone – Why pushing yourself to take on new travel challenges (like exploring new countries or managing unfamiliar logistics) will benefit both you and your students.

Growing the Teacher Show Me the World Community – Help me grow the Teacher Show Me the World community by sharing the podcast with fellow teachers, leaving a review, and joining our Facebook Group Community.

Tune in to hear how these resolutions can elevate your travel program in 2025, and let’s make this year the best one yet for taking your students around the globe!

Never led a trip before, then what are you waiting for?! 2025 is the perfect year to finally take your students abroad. Learn how life changing it will be for your students. Click here to learn more!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Link to Digital Travel Binder

Global Traveler Simulation

Links to recommended TSA-friendly travel products

In this festive episode of Teacher Show Me the World, I dive into seven fun and engaging ways to teach your students about Christmas traditions from around the world. Whether you're gearing up for a teacher-led student trip abroad or just want to bring global holiday cheer into your classroom, I share practical resources to get your students excited about the season. From creating worksheets that highlight holiday customs to taking virtual tours of Christmas villages, your students will love discovering how Christmas is celebrated in countries like Germany, Italy, and Finland.

I also suggest hands-on activities like making cultural Christmas ornaments, trying out holiday recipes from different countries, and inviting guest speakers to share unique traditions. These ideas not only help students understand and appreciate global customs but also encourage them to compare and contrast U.S. holiday traditions with those from around the world. Tune in for creative ways to prepare your students for a global holiday adventure and inspire them to explore the world this Christmas season!

Be sure to read my most recent blog post that highlights these ideas and includes links to various enrichment opportunities to share with your students.

*Have you always wanted to travel the world with your students , but you don’t know where to begin? CLICK HERE to learn how to take your students on an adventure of a lifetime!

Are you already a teacher who shows your students the world? Visit www.teachershowmetheworld.com and be sure to check out these free educational travel resources to help you show your students the world.

Join our FaceBook Group of like-minded teachers and connect, learn from and be inspired by other teachers who show their students the world.

In this episode of Teacher Show Me the World, first-time group leader Angela reflects on her experience leading a trip for the first time. With enthusiasm and honesty, she shares everything she learned—from what worked well to what she'd change for her next trip. If you’re a teacher or educator considering leading a group trip, Angela's insights, tips, and lessons are invaluable for ensuring a smooth and successful experience. Whether it’s managing logistics, connecting with students, or overcoming unexpected challenges, Angela dives deep into the highs and lows of leading a group.

She also provides practical advice and resources to help first-time group leaders prepare, including strategies for building team cohesion, creating detailed itineraries, and setting expectations.

Angela was generous enough to share a valuable resource with a lot of tips and tricks for first time group leaders and seasoned group leaders alike.

*Have you always wanted to travel the world with your students , but you don’t know where to begin? CLICK HERE to learn how to take your students on an adventure of a lifetime!

Are you already a teacher who shows your students the world? Visit www.teachershowmetheworld.com and be sure to check out these free educational travel resources to help you show your students the world.

Join our FaceBook Group of like-minded teachers and connect, learn from and be inspired by other teachers who show their students the world.