Road trip.
The EHS Gifted Academy offers educational and cultural tours through EF (Education First) Tours. A leader in global education, EF offers tours to international locations across the world. Academy students traveled to Paris and Barcelona in the spring of 2013, completed a multi-city tour of Italy in the spring of 2015; and toured London and Paris in 2016. In 2018, Academy students will travel to Central Europe. Trip highlights include cultural and educational activities in Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Munich, and Dachau.
Parents and students (class of 2019) who will participate in the Academy international trip to Central Europe in the spring of 2018 should plan meet periodically throughout the school year in preparation for their trip.
About EF.
EF Tours began in 1960 when Bertil Hult, a Swedish high school student, traveled to London to better learn the English language. Having struggled with dyslexia for years, he was surprised when he learned the language in a few short months, something he attributed to his immersion in the language and culture of England. EF Tours was created, and has been a global leader ever since. With more than 50 years of experience, EF is able to offer students the best pricesand most secure travel in the industry.
What to expect from a tour with EF.
Students can expect to travel for 8-10 days (generally during Spring Break) with a group of their peers and teachers. EHS Academy teachers will chaperone the trip (1 adult chaperone to each 6 students). Students should expect to fly overnight to the first location and to begin their tour immediately upon arrival (no time for jet lag!). EF coordinates local accommodations near the city center; students should expect to share a hotel room with 1-2 other students. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily, but students are encouraged to explore local cuisine at lunch time.
Each day will be packed with activities: walking tours, museum tours, sight-seeing, lectures, and some free time to shop or explore in smaller groups. Visit EF's website for a sample itinerary, or contact Mrs. Smith or Mr. Towry for specific details.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of international travel is the hands-on (experiential) learning offered to students. Instead of reading about other countries or cultures or seeing pictures, students will be immersed in the language, food, and culture of other countries, providing a competitive edge over their peers. By studying and traveling with EF, students will:
-
increase awareness of global perspectives.
-
foster appreciation for different cultures.
-
strengthen new or emerging language skills.
-
see curriculum come to life.
-
sharpen 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and global competence in a global setting.
-
develop leadership skills to successfully navigate new experiences with confidence.
Students will return home inspired, confident, and more connected to the world around them. But for most, this isn’t the end of their journey; it’s just the beginning. The memories, experiences, and discoveries they make abroad will continue to shape their perspective, as well as their future. EHS students who toured Paris and Barcelona in 2013 and Italy in 2015 agreed unanimously that they plan to continue to travel internationally, and plan to study abroad while in college.
For more information, please visit EF Tours' website at http://www.eftours.com.