You've been working hard ... it's time for a break right? How about a break to see a bit of the world? Or maybe you're just wondering how to travel as a teenager? There are a handful of ways to take a break, but if you ask me? I'm glad ILP gave me the chance to see the best places for teens to travel to.
There's really nothing like a vacation to break up school a bit, especially if you're thinking of traveling after high school. I know when I started running through senior trip ideas, I was so glad I found volunteer abroad programs high school students could go to (once they were 18 years old). Say "hi" to ILP! I loved the idea of spending a whole semester somewhere instead of just a quick little trip. Plus, they have tons of programs to choose from — Exchange options and Humanitarian ones that both fit right into volunteer trips for teens and college-aged students.
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Think about the chance to spend a semester volunteering in Europe ... or Asia ... or the Caribbean. You'll be able to really experience the culture because you're not just a tourist. The time away from home will really give you a break from school but can honestly give you so much more.
If you're new to the ILP adventure, you'll want to know a few things before you start picking out your country!
First things first, International Language Programs (or ILP) is a non-profit organization that sends volunteers to countries all over the world. Each volunteer goes for a semester (so 3-5 months) where you’ll be helping children learn English or volunteering in an orphanage … and taking vacation time to see all the cool places nearby, of course.
If you're someone who is looking to be adventurous, are motivated to explore a new country, dive right into a new group of friends and totally new experiences, it sounds like this is the start of a pretty beautiful friendship. Our organization is set up to help you begin your trip, but then the experiences you have are up to you.
Not sure what you want to major it? I cannot tell you how influential teen travel was for me when I was deciding my future. Where I lived, there wasn't abroad programs high schools offered, which meant I started looking for any travel abroad for high school students .... or teen service trips. Luckily, I found ILP.
This program isn't purely focused on travel for teens, but I did have some 18 and 19 year olds in my ILP group. And we all got a better understanding of what we wanted to do next, just because the program exposes you to a lot of unique opportunities like teaching English, navigating a new culture, learning a new language, exposing to you so much art and history, etc. Even things like learning to cook in a different country or navigate a new metro system was a huge experience boost.
So even if ILP isn't one of the standard high school travel abroad programs, lots of our volunteers realize that exploring the world and serving others really shows strengths ... and may reveal what you want to do in college. You may even decide to change your major like Brianna did.
You won't even have to exaggerate on your resume after volunteering for a semester abroad! As an ILP volunteer, you'll not only have the best volunteer section of a resume, but you'll also gain marketable skills that are beneficial for any job. While you explore, travel and teach, you'll learn leadership, accountability, confidence, independence and growth.
It's also becoming more and more common to travel in your 20s (even travel for teens is growing!), but a four month trip volunteering in an orphanage program will say a lot more than a five day party-vacation to the Caribbean. You'll find way more resume-builders on this type of adventure than you would on high school study abroad programs or programed teen mission trips because ILP's it's a more independent program.
Instead, let your trip do something for your resume — come make a difference with International Language Programs ... and choose between these countries, all over the world.
You're working hard in school — in college, that may mean taking 15+ credits, working part time, and trying to balance a social life takes its toll. And in high school? There are some of the same pressures plus the added stress of getting into a good college. Your hard work ethic will get you ahead, but after four or more years of school you're going to need a break.
You can see why so many are interested summer service trips for high school students or just the opportunity to travel abroad between semesters ... it's an amazing fresh start that will be the break you need.
Taking time to experience new activities, foods, friends, cultures and sights will give you the rejuvenation you need. Many volunteers say they felt more focused and gained more purpose after teaching English abroad as an ILP volunteer.
If not now, then when? Now's definitely the time for your own teen adventure travel opportunity! It only gets more difficult to travel for a significant period of time when you have more responsibility. Once you're working full-time or have a family, the chances that you'll be able to set aside four months to have this life changing experience become much lower.
This isn't just a bucket list thing (walking through this dreamy Romanian castle is a pretty cool thing to say you've done) ... spending four months submersed in another culture, serving and traveling will be an unforgettable experience that you will forever look back on — trust us. ILP gives you the chance to not only live abroad, but to spend weekends and vacation days checking out the best places to travel as a teenager (or college student). We have programs all over the world.
Convinced you need a break?
International Language Programs is a travel program that works with your university schedules, so you can either take a break from school by deferring for a semester, or maybe you join our summer volunteer programs while you're off school anyways! Come learn more about how it all works here: