Author: Scott Hemker
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Student Thoughts on Student Travel
As a Group Leader, my number one goal is to ensure that my students have the best experience possible when traveling with me abroad. I want to see them grow in a number of ways, ranging from building self-esteem and confidence, to strengthening language skills and broadening their worldly perspectives. My trips aren’t about me; Read more…
Perks for Loyal Group Leaders – Teacher Convention Tours
One of the perks of being a Group Leader with EF Educational Tours is that one can earn Global Rewards Points based on the length of the tour and the number of full-paying participants that travel. Book early, and one can earn triple or even quadruple points. Refer a friend and earn $1000 or 300 Read more…
10 Tips for Traveling to Puerto Rico
A few days after Christmas, my wife and I attended a 6-day EF Convention Tour in Puerto Rico, or in English, “rich port.” It was our first visit to the beautiful island and we enjoyed celebrating New Year’s there with several other teachers and Group Leaders from around the country. On the flight home, I Read more…
7 Must Read Tips for Running a Successful Parent Meeting
Recruiting students is a highly important and critical aspect of planning student travel. Without students, there is no student travel. Most group leaders use their classrooms and their teaching experience to help them recruit students. They build strong relationships with their students. They share their own passion for language, culture, and travel. They create a Read more…
5 Gift Ideas for Travelers
With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, people are beginning to prepare their Christmas wish lists and also looking to get a head start on buying gifts. We all know how difficult it can be to come up with gifts that people will surely like or even use. Sometimes it just makes sense Read more…
5 “Must Have” Items for Day Trips
Most days on tour start the same. The alarm goes off early. Everybody takes turns showering and getting ready. People start heading down for breakfast. After some morning conversation and food, everybody returns to their rooms. With a few minutes to spare before the bus departs, students and chaperones alike pack their backpacks for a Read more…
5 Tips for First Time Group Leaders
As I’m currently planning my eighth international student tour, I’ve decided to draw from my experience and share a few quick tips for first time group leaders. 1) Educate yourself: Before you even hold your first recruitment meeting, you should do a lot of homework in order to be sure you fully understand the ins and Read more…
5 More Reasons to be a Group Leader
Two weeks ago I began my list of reasons why I became a group leader and why I think you should too! I hope these points inspire you to look into leading your students on an educational tour and showing them the world. 6. Builds Life Long Relationships Around the Globe Every time I’ve traveled, Read more…
5 Reasons To Be a Group Leader
In the fall of 2000, I entered in to my first year as a Spanish teacher at St. Louis High School in St. Louis, Michigan. I had taken the place of the Spanish teacher (yes, our district only has one language teacher) who retired at the end of the previous school year. I spent Read more…
Independence Day in the USA and Mexico
America’s Independence Day During this 4th of July, millions of Americans are preparing to travel by plane, train, or automobile to spend time with family and friends and celebrate the holiday. Like many fellow Michiganders, my family and I made the trip “up north” to the family cottage located on a beautiful inland lake, Lake Read more…
