Felix Caraballo, an English teacher with 8 years of experience, chose Explorica’s London and the Countryside tour for his first international student trip. “As an English teacher, I always dreamed of going to England.  After considering Explorica’s tour to London and the Countryside, I thought it was the perfect opportunity.” When his group of 20 returned, each student came back with more than just photos and souvenirs. They had caught the travel bug.

“After that first trip, we formed the World Travel Club at our school. There are about 25 students in the club now, and we meet twice a week during 6th period,” explained Felix. “These students have first pick of where we go and as well as seniority with regard to which students are eligible to travel.” Previous clubs have chosen trips to Rome, Florence and Venice (view their Tour Diary) and the Best of Greece tour.

“It’s funny because in this year’s club a lot of the students are interested in anime. That drew my attention, and when one of them suggested Japan as our next destination, they all got really excited.” Hence, Felix is preparing for his 4th Explorica tour, a group of 40 students and parents, traveling during this Spring Break to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

After three tours, Felix’s tour planning routine is down to a science. “First, I meet with the school’s principal, Mrs. Carmen Morales. She’s really supportive of student travel and likes to get involved early,” Felix said. “We discuss where the students want to go and agree on the trip. We also discuss the selection process, including grade requirements and expectations for behavior.”

With the support of his administrator, Felix gets students pumped up by posting pictures and posters of the tour destination on his bulletin board — usually a year in advance. “I have a bulletin board just for the World Travel Club. Students know that it’s there and they look for it,” he said.  Along with photos, he posts a sign-up list for students.

“Anyone can sign-up, “he says, it’s not limited to club members or his class. “And in the first semester, I’ll invite the enrolled students and their parents to a meeting at the school. There’s food and I give a presentation and hand out the tour itinerary. I also have a computer there to walk them through the TourCenter and MyExplorica,” said Felix.

He uses the TourCenter he has created months before to show parents the exact tour details. “Parents are always concerned about the price,” he explains. “So to be as precise as possible, I create a TourCenter as soon as I know where we’re going”.

In addition to the materials provided by Explorica, Felix has saved up files and documents to use year after year:  Emergency contact forms, Medical background forms, and parent consent forms, among others. He also ensures that he keeps all the paperwork in a binder for easy access throughout the process.

“One year at the airport, while getting ready to depart, an airline official asked me if I had permission to be taking over 20 minors out of the country. I didn’t panic as I had my binder there and ready, so I was able to show him the parental consent forms for the group. It helps to be organized,” he said.

When he returns from Japan, Felix plans to start all over again for Spring Break 2008. “We’re thinking France for next year,” he explains. “We thought about Egypt and China, but after going to Japan we thought it might be too soon to go back to Asia…so we agreed on France. And as soon as I get back I’ll promote the next trip by posting pictures from Japan on the bulletin board. I use each trip to promote the next.”