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So I am planning a return trip to the UK for this year and considering adding Ireland to our itinerary. I freely admit that I was awake until 5 a.m.-ish investigating Ireland--no judging--that's how I do it.

On my second dive into Ireland this afternoon and it occurred to me that our public school systems, high school specifically, should assign class projects that involve planning a trip to another country.

Think about it. You've got to figure out passports, air and ground transportation, possible water transportation, compare rates, coordinate transportation times, study conversion rates, investigate the country in question, places of interest, geography, history, religion (maybe), cost of tours, learn about trip insurance (is it worth it or not), health insurance (does your plan cover international travel and how?) medical needs such as possible needed inoculations, where hospitals are located, what the emergency room system is, what to do in terms of a say a terrorist threat, how to get help if you lose your passport, how to use your cell phone to get the best rates, paying customs/tariffs, local customs, food, lodging, shopping, entertainment, figure out language needs, and (I just forgot what I was going to say because I'm sleep deprived) oh and use technology visiting websites and using calculators to do your investigations, prepare your sample itinerary and trip budget.

Wouldn't that make an awesome senior year project?

Y/N?

I really need a nap. Later.

:-)

I often think it'd be fun to travel. Then reality hits and I realize how expensive and uncomfortable it is. Maybe when my kids are older.

ajax18 wrote:I often think it'd be fun to travel. Then reality hits and I realize how expensive and uncomfortable it is. Maybe when my kids are older.

It's not all that expensive if you can save up and pay whatever is possible in advance and play your cards right by learning how to economically book flights. I don't have my notes from our first UK trip but it was appox. 1200$ per person including all 3 flights and hotel. I had to pay an extra round trip to get to the East Coast, that would've been ballpark 450$ and also had to get a new passport which was If I recall correctly, $140. I think the passport is good for 6 years or so? Don't quote me on that I'm blitzed out from lack of sleep.

The rest of the expenses were ground transportation, food, and whatever touristy purchases we made. We took no tours except one that was a free self guided tour. Ireland seems affordable so far but I've only just begun on it. I won't know if we're going there until I plan several versions/configurations of the trip.

As for uncomfortable...no, I wouldn't want to do a long haul flight with young children if I could avoid it. Domestic flights? I'd do it in a heartbeat with young children and I have. Even coast to coast. I actually flew twice alone with infants. They fell asleep!

As I am going through this process again I did think it would make for an awesome senior student project. I recall in the old days (dinosaurs) we did reports on various countries but a integrated project like planning an actual trip would be so beneficial in terms of combining academics and practical life skills building. Man, I'd be tempted to throw seniors right in to the deep end and not give them any information upfront but mentor them through their process.

For example: When you get off the plane, how are you getting to your hotel?

I think your education idea is more practical than wilderness survival one might do in boyscouts.

I'd love to go to Patagonia for a month. But at this point in my life the biggest expense is not being at work and lost wages. Plane tickets and hotels are small in comparison.

I love cruises and am still amazed how cheap they can make it.

Jersey Girl wrote:... our public school systems, high school specifically, should assign class projects that involve planning a trip to another country empiricism.

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FIFY