Teachers Travel Free: Educational Trips Shaping Minds in Korea

Education trips offer invaluable opportunities for teachers and students. They enrich classroom teaching materials, enhance student engagement, and foster global exploration in students. As a perk, they are also a way for teachers to travel free.

At Rustic Pathways, we truly appreciate the dedication of teachers who go the extra mile to introduce global learning experiences to their students. Through our student group travel programs, we strive to provide diverse travel opportunities for teachers and students.

To continue our Teacher Appreciation Week series, we shine a spotlight on two teachers from Incheon, South Korea who share their insights on the impact of experiential learning beyond the classroom on their students and its role in shaping them into global citizens.

Teachers Travel Free: Spotlighting High School Teachers Rebecca Laders and Jason Musselman

Rebecca Laders and Jason Musselman are high school teachers at Cheongna Dalton School in Incheon, South Korea who have been running trips with Rustic Pathways since 2015.

Here is an excerpt from Rebecca and Jason as they share their insights on the educational trips they took with their students:

Education Beyond the Classroom

Education is not something that belongs trapped within the four walls of our classrooms. We believe that these trips are incredibly valuable for the development of our students. Service learning and cultural immersion allows them to see and experience the world around them in life changing ways.

Rustic not only helps plan and support teachers to execute great trips, but they also help facilitate our students’ personal growth throughout the journey. Through trips like these, our students develop a valuable aspect of our schools mission: becoming a global citizen. Also, it is great to see our highly stressed students let their hair down and be their authentic selves. On Rustic trips we always have a lot of fun together, and we look forward to them every year!

International Education Travel Opportunities

Since beginning trips with Rustic we have gone on four trips to three different locations in Cambodia and Thailand. These trips are easily the highlight of our year and really enhance our relationships with our students.

COVID-19 has been a real downer because we haven’t been able to really share experiences with our students beyond our computer screens.

Our trip this year was just about a month or so before our school campus closed. While the last few months seem to be a blur, the experiences we shared and relationships we built seem as clear as the day we left!

Our favorite part of these trips are being able to present our students with a whole new experience, and we love seeing them grab that opportunity, and really run with it.

Students Participate in Service Learning

Last year, the group had the option to go play in the pool and hang out at the hotel, or stay behind at our worksite and play with the kids.

About 90 percent of our students chose to stay behind and interact with the kids. We, as teachers, were so inspired and impressed as it ran counter to what we thought they would have chosen. Seeing them smile, play soccer and engage with the kids they had served not only impacted our students but also how we as teachers viewed them.

Building Strong Connections with Students

Getting the chance to build great relationships with students by being our own authentic selves is another thing we love. During the school year we have a lot on our plate and building strong relationships often comes second.

It is through these trips that we are again reminded of the power of these connections. It is amazing to share laughter and tell jokes that continue to bring us together well beyond our return to “normal life.”

We have already started planning things for next year and hopefully will be able to offer two trips for our students! In chats with our student leaders, they brought up that a smaller group might be better for organization and service.

Bringing the students in on this planning has been extremely instrumental. Raising student voices and building leadership has really made this trip a long lasting tradition here at Dalton. We even have some students who are looking forward to their THIRD trip!

We are honored to be recognized by Rustic Pathways in this spotlight and hope other teachers and fellow educators to take advantage of these incredible travel opportunities for their students!

-Rebecca Laders and Jason Musselman

Teacher Travel Opportunities and Planning FAQ

Is it possible to travel for free as a teacher?  

Yes it is possible to travel for free as a teacher!

Teachers who accompany students on a Rustic Pathways trip not only travel for free with no registration costs, but also get free room and board. You and your students can also participate in multiple trips.

Which countries offer free flights for teachers?

Countries listed in our school group travel programs offer teachers free flights.

Is it cheaper to travel with a tour group?

Yes, it is cheaper to travel with a tour group. On group travel tours, you can minimize travel costs and save time when planning your trip.

We recommend checking our program specific itineraries and included services.

We’re also finding new ways to make travel more accessible for students in addition to teacher travel opportunities.

Are group travel tours worth it?

Yes, group travel tours are definitely worth it. Typically group tours offer a convenient and stress-free way to explore new places.

In our school group travel programs, teachers are not responsible for leading daily activities and you and your students save money and time planning for your next trip.

How do I plan an international trip with a group?

Request our free program catalog and contact Rustic Pathways today! Our team will help your school identify the perfect programs for your students.

For more information about creating a customized trip for your students, visit Rustic Pathways Group Travel.

How to travel over the summer as a teacher?

Contact our team and volunteer to be a flight leader for your school’s group travel program. Travel alongside your students as they take off on their global adventure.

Educational Trips and Programs FAQ

What is an educational trip?

An educational trip is a journey undertaken by both teachers and students to enhance their understanding and knowledge outside of traditional classroom settings.

It typically involves visits to museums, historical sites, study tours, and offer a unique insight to the host country you are visiting. These trips provide hands-on learning experiences and foster personal growth.

Which place is best for an educational trip?

The best place for an educational trip is wherever you’re personally interested in traveling.

Whether it’s discovering the ancient ruins of Delphi, Greece or patrolling Costa Rica’s beaches to safeguard turtle nests, educational trips serve as dynamic classrooms to enhance student learning experiences.

Are international school trips worth it?

International school trips are undoubtedly worth it for all program participants.

For students, every corner of the globe holds the potential for educational discovery and personal development. These trips can provide crucial learning opportunities on international environmental issues such as climate change and valuable insights into their own geographic awareness.

For teachers, international school trips provide a unique professional development opportunity. They present avenues for professional development, curriculum development, and provide teachers with the chance to connect with their students outside the traditional classroom environment. These shared experiences create stronger teacher-student relationships and foster trust and mutual respect.