Exploring new places reshapes who we are. It expands our worldview, introduces us to lasting friendships, hands us unforgettable moments, and occasionally points us toward our true calling (it certainly did for me).
Not everyone gets the chance to travel, and doing so remains a luxury reserved for the fortunate few. Whether you scrimped and saved for months, secured a job in another country, scored a free trip, or got lucky with a cryptocurrency investment, being able to explore the globe puts you in a rare and privileged category.
Cast your mind back to your inaugural international adventure. Can you still feel that rush of liberty, possibility, and anticipation? What ignited that spark and made you vow, "I've got to keep doing this"?
For young people especially, venturing beyond their borders can prove even more transformative than it is for grown-ups, since it immerses them in fresh perspectives, customs, and communities during a pivotal stretch of personal growth.
Over the past several years, I've poured my energy into expanding international opportunities for high schoolers.
I still recall the student group I encountered during my very first overseas journey back in 2003, and how fortunate they seemed to have such an opportunity. I met Conor and Carolyn — children of my pals Dani and Craig — while passing through Bangkok. They were spending a year abroad while receiving homeschooling along the route. Today, as grown adults, they still cite that journey as one of the most defining chapters of their lives. It shaped them into better human beings.
However, not every child has parents capable of whisking them off on global expeditions or funding semesters overseas. The majority of public high schools struggle to keep their arts and physical education programs afloat, never mind organizing excursions beyond their zip codes.
A couple of years back, I launched FLYTE — the Foundation for Learning and Youth Travel Education — with the mission of opening doors to international travel and study abroad for young people who otherwise couldn't afford it. Since its inception, we've organized three expeditions: a class from Atlanta traveled to Mexico; another from Washington D.C. headed to Cuba; and a third from Newburgh, New York, journeyed to Ecuador. To pull this off, we've generated more than $100,000 in contributions.
In total, roughly 45 students have benefited from overseas educational journeys through our efforts, with lasting positive effects on their personal development.
None of this would have materialized without YOUR support. Over a thousand subscribers have played a role in getting this initiative up and running!
So I want to express my gratitude immediately: thank you, thank you, thank you! Seriously, it's incredible! Beyond myself, the students, families, and educators at the partner schools are utterly amazed by your kindness.
Right now, I'd like to highlight FLYTE once more for a couple of reasons:
First, we dedicated the summer to revamping our online presence and internal operations. We've unveiled a freshly designed website showcasing our previous journeys, a brand-new volunteer opportunity for interested participants, and an updated system that now processes yearly contributions (fantastic!). On top of that, our social media presence has expanded considerably, so follow our accounts for the latest news on our students, staff, developments, and snapshots from the expeditions. You can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep tabs on everything!
With the help of interns and volunteers pitching in, the organization is gaining real momentum. We're planning in-person fundraising gatherings in early 2018, we've committed to submitting two grant applications each month, and we're actively pursuing additional corporate sponsorships. In fact, the Golden Rule Foundation contributed $11,000 to our cause! (Amazing!)
Our organization is charging ahead — and I wanted you to know about it!
Second, and arguably more significantly, we're currently reviewing submissions for our upcoming grant cycle. If you're a high school educator in the United States hoping to lead your students on an international experience, submit your funding request and let us help bring that vision to life!
As a participating school, our criteria include:
- A minimum of 40% of your student body qualifies for free or subsidized meals.
- Your students fall within the 14-18 age range and are currently enrolled in high school when the program takes place.
- Every student involved is a legal U.S. resident.
- You have backing from your school leadership and administration to organize the overseas journey.
- You'll be able to recruit at least three chaperones willing to cover or fundraise for some or all of their associated costs.
If you're an educator eager to take your class on an international trip, click here to explore the details and submit your application. You'll find the full list of requirements and expectations on that page.
(If teaching isn't your role but you know educators who might qualify, pass that link along! Help us amplify our reach and connect with additional schools and students.)
Lastly, like every charitable organization, we depend entirely on contributions. Throughout this season of giving, let's empower young people to engage with the wider world and spark a lifelong passion for travel and global awareness! The greater our financial resources, the more students we can send abroad.
You're welcome to make a one-time gift or set up recurring contributions! You can click here to make a donation.
Furthermore, committing to recurring donations generates a far more meaningful and sustained effect by allowing us to underwrite journeys for additional schools. As an added bonus, you'll unlock these perks:
- Early notification of our chosen partner school and travel destination before the general public
- Seasonal newsletters featuring progress reports from our partner schools and collaborators
- A permanent 25% discount on my guidebooks
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to trip highlights through curated photos and videos
To enroll, simply click here, pick the monthly option, and choose your preferred contribution amount. (Once more, you can click here to donate.)
This past summer, we sent a cohort of students to Ecuador. The experience left a lasting impression on them — entirely because of FLYTE and the support you've provided. Watch this clip of the students reflecting on their journey:
***At a moment when so many people are raising walls — both literal and figurative — I believe it's crucial to show young people that a vast, opportunity-rich world exists beyond their neighborhoods, that their classroom lessons connect to real-world contexts, and that countless possibilities await them. For youngsters hailing from communities facing economic and social hardship, this concept — which the rest of us take for granted — frequently becomes a revelation that reshapes their entire outlook.
So let's transform someone's future — and the planet — hand in hand.
P.S. — I'm organizing a casual get-together in Bangkok on Christmas Day! Come raise a glass with me and swap travel tales. The specifics are still being finalized, but it'll take place somewhere along Khao San Road. Keep an eye on the Facebook event page for the latest information.
The post Helping More Teenagers Journey Overseas: Fresh Progress from FLYTE appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
