Learn by Doing: Travel That Transforms
There are some things you can only learn by doing.
Educational travel takes you into the heart of a culture. Instead of reading about traditions or watching videos in class, you’re living them – whisking matcha at a tea ceremony in Japan, tracking rhinos with a conservation team in South Africa, or learning to weave alongside artisans in the mountains of Peru.
Experiences like these help you see the world through a wider lens. You start to notice how people live, what matters to them, and how those differences can shape the way you think about your own life and learning.
Our programs give you access to places, people, and experiences that most tourists don’t get. Thanks to local connections and thoughtfully planned activities, you’ll dive into hands-on learning that makes everything you’ve studied in school feel more real and relevant.
And the learning doesn’t stop when the activity ends. It sparks conversations with your group, with the people you meet, and in your own mind that can shift how you see global issues, your place in the world, and what it means to truly connect with others.
As you step into new environments, you’ll likely step into new versions of yourself. You’ll face unfamiliar situations, work through challenges as a team, and grow in ways that are hard to explain until you’ve experienced them yourself.
Educational travel turns a lesson into something you can feel, remember, and carry with you. It helps you understand the world more clearly and your place in it with more purpose.
Your daily schedule will vary based on the theme and destination of your trip, but most days follow a similar rhythm. You’ll start the morning at your lodging with breakfast, then head out for an engaging, hands-on activity—this could be anything from a cultural workshop to an outdoor adventure or expert-led project. In the afternoon, you may have a more relaxed activity or excursion before returning to your lodging for dinner, group reflection, and time to unwind and connect with friends.
Once you enroll on your TEPA trip, you’ll receive a daily schedule of your trip.
TEPA organizes trips specifically for your school, so you’ll be traveling with your classmates. Depending on how your school designs the program, you might also spend time with students from other grades. This creates a great chance to connect with classmates outside the classroom and in a fresh setting.
If you’re interested in traveling with students from other schools or meeting new people, TEPA’s sister organizations offer programs designed for mixed groups. You can explore those options at terraeducation.com.
While you’ll participate in many full-group activities and typically stay with your entire group in the same accommodation most of the time, you may also be assigned to smaller groups upon arrival. These smaller groups are used for activities that require fewer participants. The flexibility to switch between small and larger groups provides opportunities for more personal, one-on-one interactions with individual students and allows you to enjoy the full experience group.
Our itineraries are carefully designed to help you build independence throughout the trip.
While you’ll have chances to make decisions, take initiative, and manage daily activities, you’ll always be supported by school chaperones and TEPA staff who provide 24/7 supervision—especially for minors.
For university trips, students typically enjoy more independent time.
Our goal is to help you grow in confidence and self-reliance within a safe, supportive environment.
