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First Time Group Leaders Getting Started with EF

There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to the tour planning process—from selecting your itinerary, to promoting your tour, to prepping your travellers for their first big experience away from home. We spoke with two new Group Leaders to hear about how they’re getting their very first tours off the ground, why they’re doing it, and how EF is helping them through the process.

Meet two teachers, who are first-time Group Leaders with EF; Nicole R. and Quinn M.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH EF?
Nicole: I got started with EF through word of mouth. Some of my colleagues had used the company and had great experiences. When I went to their website, it became apparent how well respected the company was. I put my email in and then Joanne (a Tour Consultant) contacted me a couple of hours later. It was so fast, which was great. I was also impressed with how long they had been in business. That made it all feel very secure.

WHY PLAN A TOUR NOW?
Quinn: It’s one of those pieces that have been missing for a lot of these kids in the past three years. I think it’s going to be impactful for them to look back and see, “Wow, I got to do a little bit of travelling before I decided my life path.” That’s huge for young people—to be able to experience completely new things while they’re still in that developmental cycle. Where do they want to be? Where do they want to land? That’s pivotal in these four years.

HOW DID EF HELP YOU PLAN YOUR FIRST TOUR?
Quinn: I was expecting a lot more work on my end in terms of planning an itinerary and getting more information. I have 9 billion things to do in my day. I probably wouldn’t want to plan a trip out as my 9 billion and one thing that I need to do in one day. It’s really nice to have [EF’s] support team say, “We’re going to handle this. Just make sure that you can hold a meeting. We’ll get to give you the material. These are some things that you want to say.”

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FIRST TIME GROUP LEADERS?
Nicole: Take the opportunities. EF Tours came to Winnipeg and we had a meet and greet, which was really useful to me, to talk with other teachers who had taken kids. I got quite a few tips from them. Just take advantage of everything that [EF] provides, because it’s great.

WHAT WAS HOLDING YOU BACK?
Nicole: The reservations I initially had were mostly around how I was going to deal with all the logistics of a tour. I was impressed with how EF took care of all the details. Everything was laid out clearly.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ON TOUR?
Quinn: The “wow” factor when [the students] finally experience a completely new environment. This trip will allow them to experience a new culture, a new environment, and an entirely new timeline for their lifestyles that will be unforgettable for them. I get to go along and see them experience it all!

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Teaching Beyond Borders: A Teacher’s Adventure as a First-Time Group Leader

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