Get to know EF
Travelers share their own EF Tours reviews
We’ve got a lot to say about student travel—partly because we’ve been bringing travelers abroad for over 55 years. But it helps to hear from other people. People like you, who’ve been through the whole experience. Before planning your trip, read EF travel reviews from past and present customers to get a feel for what it’s like to travel with us.
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I am so glad that we were traveling with EF
– Barbara B., Group Leader, ID
The response to the virus and rerouting us home early was bar none. While we were sightseeing in London, EF was busy providing transportation, hotel lodging, and flights home. I am so glad that we were traveling with EF and not on our own during this crisis. Again, I cannot say enough about the overall positive experience and thank you for getting us home safely!
EF can and will avoid putting us in harm’s way
– Pam F., Group Leader, RI
I have personally experienced EF’s ability to move a destination of a tour in hours. For example, in the early 2000s, we were headed to Athens, Greece on an EF tour, and there was rioting in the center of Athens near where we were staying. Before we arrived, EF had already changed our hotel to outside the city. They changed the itinerary of the tour to keep us far from the problem while still making it an awesome educational experience. We don't know what will happen in the world any time we travel, but I feel confident that EF can and will avoid putting us in harm’s way.
Read more travel reviews on Athens & The Islands →
The thing that struck us is the level of detail
– Audie J., Group Leader, TX
Grateful to be part of the EF Family
– Bettie B., Group Leader, TX
I find solace, as well as pride, in the extraordinary care that EF is providing for them. These are some crazy times, but I have never been more proud of EF and grateful to be part of the EF FAMILY. You all are doing an amazing job under such trying and unprecedented circumstances.
Professionally. Personally. Responsibly.
– Becky B., Group Leader, CO
I have been traveling with EF for 15 plus years. 2 years ago, we were in the epicenter in Japan for the earthquake. EF was 100% amazing! Within minutes of the earthquake I was chatting with EF and parents were notified so when they woke up in America, they had no worries. EF handled it professionally. Personally. Responsibly. They were in constant contact with myself, the tour director and parents. EF being the top safety tours, already before we came to Japan had made sure we were in earthquake proof hotels. ❤️
Read more travel reviews on Japan: Land of the Rising Sun →
"I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a safe and secure, no-hassle, very reasonably priced experience."
– sharn888, Parent, HI
Hear more from fellow families →
Never once was I worried
– TravelerReborn, Chaperone, KY
I was invited to be an adult chaperone on our school’s spring break trip to Italy. At first, I was very anxious to travel abroad since I was new to the whole thing, but from start to finish, our trip was thorough, smooth, and well organized. Our tour leader was fantastic and great with the students. EF/our tour leader was very considerate of another adult on our trip with a severe nut allergy and made sure that her meals were always safe for her to consume. Every location that we visited was amazing and our tour guide was very patient with the varying needs and interests of our group. Never once was I worried for our safety.
Thoughts on safety while on tour?
They think of everything and nothing is too much trouble
– Sister Christine, Group Leader, NY
Fantastic experience
– MaineMom1, Group Leader, ME
From the moment we landed in Vietnam until the moment we departed we had a fantastic experience. Our Vietnamese Tour Director met us at the airport in Hanoi and stayed with us through our travels to Da Nang and on to Saigon. Our transition from one activity to another was seamless thanks to his facilitation and EF’s planning. Not only did we tour major sites, experience local cuisine, and have free time to walk the towns and cities we visited, but we also visited with a U.S. Vietnam War Veteran, now living in Vietnam, to talk to us about his experiences both during and after the war, and now, many decades later. The trip was a blend of history, the obvious impact of the Vietnam War, and the culture and traditions which exist today for the people of Vietnam.
Thanks to everyone who helped with this crisis
– William B., Group Leader, TX
We haven’t lacked a single thing which we might have needed from EF since [the COVID-19] travel ban was announced. We were contacted shortly after the announcement, we received our flight information for our evacuation much sooner than we expected, and our Tour Director, Gavin, was there to help in any and every way up until we entered the security checkpoint at the airport. He even told us that he would wait there until our flight took off, just in case someone had a problem. I can’t think of a single thing that EF could have done better under these circumstances, and my travelers seem to agree with me. Thanks to everyone who helped with this crisis!
Genuinely care about my students, my community, my family
– Brady R., Group Leader, IN
Every single time I go and do one of these experiences where I’m in contact with people from the company, I feel this deep resonance in caring about the experience of students, and making sure that those students are really experiencing everything that the world has to offer. The personal relationships that I’ve managed to build with people at this company—who genuinely care about my students, my community, my family—is inspiring to me. It means a lot to know that there are people working every single day who want what I want for my students and my community. And they’ve shown that to me. I’ve had conversations with my Tour Consultant, I’ve had conversations with the Regional Director that has worked with me, and they will remember students by name that I have mentioned. And that just means a lot to me as a teacher. When a company like EF can show that they care about my kids as much as I care about them, I know I’m working with the right people.
Vast network of educational partners
– Angie M., Administrator, NY
EF has made the logistics easy and the enrichment strong. I appreciate that the tours can be customized for each school but more importantly, they are safe. I have been super impressed with the attention to detail and their vast network of partners allows opportunities to pivot and adjust when needed. The leaders and tour guides are well equipped. EF provides programs that are both fun and educational which provides a great value-added. From a financial perspective, I feel like there is great value for the money, and protections, which we saw with COVID, are top-notch.
EF will take care of you
– Kirstyn S., Group Leader, AR
EF really cares
– beast, Student, TN
Everything was excellent about this trip. EF really cares. They take care of you for everything. The tour guide was just as amazing. She was fluent in five different languages and she was like a mom. She knew the best places to visit, food to eat, and things to do. I love EF so much I'll be going back on a trip with them next year!!
Support through it all
– Elana Marie M., Group Leader, NJ
I have made a couple of hospital visits with students on tour, changed tour dates due to soccer championships, and, on my last trip, I had to get two of my travelers back home immediately due to a death in the family. EF had a representative in front of me making flight arrangements within 15 minutes—and that was in the heart of Paris during peak tourist season. I knew that although the coronavirus was going to change everything, we would be taken care of by a team of professionals. Knowing that EF had my back allowed me to be a source of stability and reassurance for students and parents on my 2020 tour.
I was amazed
– ADJ80, Student, CO
From the get-go, the tour was so organized to the smallest detail I was amazed. Safety and education are EF Tours main goals. I learned a lot, had lots of fun and came home with memories for a lifetime! Thank you EF!
Contingency plans for everyone
– Kelly G., Group Leader, OR
A month before our departure, mainstream news was just getting a hold of the information regarding the virus outbreak. It was very shortly thereafter we heard from EF with options for travelers should they be very concerned about traveling. The travel advisories, at this time, were all only at a Level 2 for the countries we planned to visit, and those had been issued months before due to possible terrorism and protest issues, not due to the virus. Yet, here was EF giving my travelers options to ease their nerves—recognizing that for many, this was a once in a lifetime experience that might be greatly marred by their fear. My group was so impressed to be offered these choices, recognizing that, had they made these plans on their own, they would have few choices beyond travel or lose all the money paid out. EF went so far as to allow customers a chance to change their plans up to a week before their departure. I was so impressed with the amount of communication and calls I received from the company in this time. All of it reassuring me, and therefore my travelers, that EF was our watchdog—that they had our backs, and they had contingency plans for everyone.
We decided to travel to another country, far away from the virus
– Ashley S., Group Leader, GA
EF did it in a day!
– Linda H., Group Leader, CT
Just today my Japan trip was rerouted to Belize for 72 people. EF did it in a day! This proved the commitment to safety and support of all the GLs, families, and students. I have been traveling with EF since 2006. I have always been impressed (that's why I am still with them), but their handling of the recent COVID-19 has been fantastic! I will keep traveling with my students with EF forever! They have worked quickly and mindfully while rebooking our group. They have been supportive every step of the way. Thank you for giving us options and for really standing behind your word.
“They have been really fabulous with the rescheduling and moving things around. I really feel like they are professional, they handle things very quickly.”
– Sheri, Parent, CA
Hear more from fellow families →
Above and beyond
– Aaron A., Group Leader, KS
Over the years, my Tour Consultants have been really flexible to work with and anytime I need anything they are always there. When talking through options regarding COVID-19, my Tour Consultant provided instant communication on that level. Some parents had questions and he was willing to talk with them. He’s gone above and beyond.
Thoughts on EF's flexibility?
Challenges them to step outside their comfort zones
– Bruce E., Group Leader, TX
Traveling with my students is just more than taking a summer “vacation” with the students. An educational travel experience helps students to put into practice the concepts they’ve learned in the classroom. It also challenges them to step outside their comfort zones and helps them develop skills, habits, and mindsets closely associated with future success. I have noticed that stepping out of their comfort zones is the most beneficial aspect they get out of our travel program. Rooming with kids they normally don’t room with. Flying on an airplane. Visiting cities and states that they would never get a chance to visit. These are the experiences that I enjoy offering to the kids.
“As a teacher, I’m happy to see them apply all of the learning strategies and techniques we practice in school. It’s great to watch them walk through a museum or visit a memorial and see them broaden their horizons.”
– Andrew T., Group Leader, IL
It's so important to change the mindset of students
– Mitch S., Group Leader, GA
I truly enjoy seeing my students experience different cultures during our travel time. For example, I had a student last trip that only ate burgers and fries. Once we experienced our French cooking class, he started to eat all the French foods we had. This was an awesome moment for me because he realized that he could experience other cultures through food. It’s so important to change the mindset of students by having them experience other cultures and understand that we are all the same with different experiences.
EF plans itineraries with that education piece first and foremost
– Brady R., Group Leader, IN
Read more travel reviews on Berlin, Prague, Krakow & Budapest →
What a great skill to teach students
– Chuck C., Group Leader, SC
I advocate for travel because the world is vast and diverse. If we want to truly understand our neighbors in other states or countries, we must reach out and meet them where they live. Travel provides a glimpse into another world that our students may have Googled or watched on a device, but living it with the smells, food, smiles, and various challenges teaches flexibility, tolerance and understanding, and empathy. What a great skill to teach students how to navigate an international airport, use public transportation like The Tube in London or The Metro in Paris, and take risks. I remember last spring break eating Escargot in the Tuileries Garden of Paris and watching our students get out of their comfort zones to try snails was priceless! Oh, they tasted amazing! In April 2019, I was traveling to Paris with 41 students, parents, grandparents, and teachers. We planned to show our group the Eiffel Tower and it was close to dusk. With the help of our EF Tour Director, we found a great place to observe and, at 9 PM, the tower lights up and blinks! The students were hooked on Paris and “wow-ed.”
It’s fun watching that confidence being built
– Rachel K., Group Leader, MS
The first milestone on any trip is watching students and adults who have never flown during their first take off. We live in Mississippi, so we take a small plane to larger airport. I usually film the new flyers. By the time we get to the first stop they’re strutting through the airport like seasoned travelers. It’s fun watching that confidence being built as they learn to navigate through new experiences.
An inspiring feeling
– Bobby T., Group Leader, GA
I love traveling with my students because I get to know each one of them better and I get to see them at their best. As a history teacher, it’s an amazing feeling to see my students light up and get excited about “that thing we talked about in class”. Not only do they get a rich educational experience but watching them transform from scared teenagers who have never left home into young adults who are eager to take on more travel is an inspiring feeling. I can easily say that after each trip, the students that traveled with me have been the ones that I have grown closest to and the ones who began to succeed more in my classes. On my last EF tour to England and France, there were too many memorable moments to count. I think one of my favorites was watching one student run circles in the craters left on Pointe du Hoc in Normandy and falling over. I also loved when the shortest, most shy of my AP European History students helped us get a table and order food for lunch in Saint-Malo because she spoke the best French. Finally, I always make my students keep a travel journal that they usually roll their eyes at, but are entertained by my own journal readings on the bus. While they may roll their eyes at having to write in their journal at first and certainly at sharing their entries, by the end of the trip, most of them want to share and take it home as their best souvenir. Listening to their journal entries is always a highlight on my EF trips.
Read more travel reviews on England and France →
Living it is completely different
– Andrew T., Group Leader, IL
At our school, we emphasize student connections with the community, so I really enjoy seeing the students outside of the classroom and in a larger setting. It’s great to watch them walk through a museum or visit a memorial and see them broaden their horizons. As a teacher, I’m happy to see them apply all of the learning strategies and techniques we practice in school. But D63 focuses on the whole child—going beyond academics—and seeing teens taking an interest in the world we live in is so gratifying. That’s why I think travel is so important for adults and students: it gives us the chance to experience something beyond our “normal.” We can push our own boundaries, try something new, and become part of a different culture. When students travel, they get to experience a part of the world they didn’t know about before. Seeing these places on YouTube or Instagram is one thing, but living it is completely different.
Educational, fun, and life changing
– David O., Student, PA
This trip was very educational, fun, and life changing. It was just such an amazing experience and I encourage everyone to take the chance and go on this trip because you will not be disappointed. I made a lot of new friends that I still keep in contact with on a regular basis and we are trying to plan another trip in the future. The days were very well thought out and our Tour Director gave us the schedule each day so we knew everything that was happening throughout the day. Overall, this trip was a trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to plan my next trip with EF!
Coming back, I was a totally different person
– Kayla P., Student, MA
Leaving home and my parents to go to China was not the easiest thing in the world because I’m more of a home body than a traveler. However, this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Coming back, I was a totally different person. I was more confident and independent now that I had done things that I would have never thought I would be doing when I was younger. Before the China trip everyone who knew me would say that I was super shy and reserved. During and after the trip, I actually learned how to have fun and be more myself around people. Traveling with my friends to a whole new part of the world allowed me to be more comfortable in my own skin and more comfortable around other people. Overall, the trip has definitely changed me for the better.
Share your thoughts
Hearing from people who’ve been there and done that is a big help for those considering traveling with EF. If you’ve traveled with us before, write your own EF Tours review.