What is Following the Equator?

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,
and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.
Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot
be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth
all one’s lifetime.”      — Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

No one quite captured the importance of travel and education the way Mark Twain did more than 100 years ago. So, as we began to create EF Educational Tours' first blog, we turned to our favorite American travel writer for inspiration. Thus, Following the Equator was born.

Following the Equator was Twain’s fifth and final travel book. By 1894, Twain was forced to declare bankruptcy, and he launched a round-the-world lecture tour to recoup his losses. His 1895-96 journey—from Paris, across the United States, through the South Pacific and Australia, to Sri Lanka and India, around Africa and to London—resulted in his last travelogue. Not as well-known as the above-mentioned The Innocents Abroad, Following the Equator nevertheless endures for his observations on the world.

Our version of Following the Equator offers observations on the world of educational travel.

Following the Equator is for teachers and students who travel—and for anyone interested in educational travel. Our blog follows the latest news and discussions about travel and education. We'll offer comments and insights, plus conversations with EF Group Leaders and staff, tips for traveling with students and interesting stories from educational travelers.

But, first and foremost, Following the Equator is a forum for discussion. So, don't vegetate "in one little corner of the earth," but let us know what you think! Email us with your ideas, thoughts and suggestions. Or, better yet, add your comments.

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Following the Equator is edited by Eric Beato, a veteran writer with EF Educational Tours. Eric inherited his love for education from his father, a longtime high school English teacher in Illinois. Eric's love for travel came much later—during his honeymoon throughout Italy.

Comments

[justin]

"Following the Equator" was a great set of books (though pretty long) and gave a great insight into what traveling across the world was like in the 19th and early 20th century. Learn from the best, and read "Following the Equator" on your own travels across the globe.

... Not to mention that Mark Twain is an uncle of mine (he was married to my great-great grandmother's sister!)