Should your school offer overseas trips? Pros, cons and how to make the decision

If you’re planning a school trip this year, this guide explores the educational benefits of international school travel, including cultural awareness and personal growth, while also examining the key challenges, such as cost, safety, inclusivity, and environmental impact, helping schools to make a balanced and informed decision about whether to go overseas.

So, should your school offer overseas trips to your students?

It’s a question that many schools have had to debate as they try to balance educational value, student safety, cost and inclusivity.

Whether it’s a cultural trip to Paris, a history tour in Rome or a science visit to Tokyo, travelling abroad can be transformative for students. But this kind of trip brings with it financial, logistical and ethical challenges.

For this reason, deciding whether to offer such trips requires a careful look at both the benefits and the drawbacks, along with a clear framework for making the right choice for your school and students.

The benefits of overseas school trips

1. Real-world learning beyond the classroom

Going abroad can bring subjects to life in ways that textbooks simply can’t. For example, a history class studying World War II gains a much deeper understanding of the subject by visiting famous landmarks in Berlin, or language students can immerse themselves in the culture while practising Spanish in Madrid.

Experiential learning like this increases engagement and helps students retain more information. Plus, these opportunities allow them to connect abstract concepts to tangible experiences, which often leads to improved motivation and academic curiosity.

2. Cultural awareness and global citizenship

We live in an increasingly interconnected world, and cultural competence is an essential skill for the future. Overseas trips expose students to different customs, foods, traditions and perspectives.

These experiences can help strengthen their transferable skills, such as empathy, open-mindedness, and respect for diversity. Students learn that there is no single “normal” way to live, which can challenge stereotypes and broaden their worldviews.

3. Personal growth and independence

Travelling abroad often pushes students outside their comfort zones and can help them to grow on a personal level. They will have to navigate unfamiliar environments, adapt to new schedules, manage their belongings, and collaborate closely with their peers. These challenges build resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

For lots of students, an overseas school trip may also be their first time away from their families for an extended period. Successfully managing this experience can be a milestone in their development and independence.

4. Strengthened relationships

Shared experiences create strong bonds and lifelong friendships among students, and this can deepen as they work together to navigate new environments like airports, museums and cultural differences.

Not only that, but teachers and students can also develop more positive relationships during trips, seeing each other in a new context beyond the classroom. 

The downsides of overseas trips

1. Higher costs

One of the most significant barriers to overseas trips is the expense. Flights, accommodation, insurance, meals and activities can cost hundreds if not thousands per student. Not all families can afford this, which raises concerns about equity and inclusion.

2. Safety and risk management

Travelling internationally carries risks like illness, accidents or unexpected political or environmental events. While careful planning can reduce this danger somewhat, no trip is entirely risk-free, and parents and students must be aware of this.

Plus, teachers and chaperones have a duty of care. Managing safety concerns, passports, medical needs, and communication with families adds even more complexity and responsibility.

3. Academic disruption

Trips overseas are usually longer, and, therefore, extended trips can interrupt regular lessons. Students may miss important coursework, assessments or extracurricular commitments.

This is why there is often the overhanging question of whether the educational value justifies the time away from structured learning, especially if the trip is in term time. 

4. Environmental impact

International flights contribute to carbon emissions. As climate awareness grows, some schools question whether overseas travel aligns with their own sustainability goals. Schools committed to environmental responsibility may need to weigh the benefits of global exposure against ecological costs and value. 

How to make the decision

Rather than viewing the issue as a simple yes or no, schools need to approach their decision-making strategically. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to book the overseas trip this year, here’s what you need to consider. 

1. Clarify the educational purpose and value 

Every school trip should have clear learning objectives, particularly if you’re travelling abroad. Ask yourself:

• Is it linked to curriculum outcomes?

• Does it offer experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom or locally?

If the educational value is strong and measurable, the case for offering a trip abroad becomes more compelling.

2. Prioritise inclusivity

The cost of going abroad can be a huge factor for students, so schools should explore fundraising, scholarships or payment plans to ensure broader access to these trips. Transparent communication about costs and financial support is essential right from the start. 

3. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments

A robust safety plan is non-negotiable when taking students abroad. This includes selecting reputable travel providers and group flight consolidators, ensuring appropriate staff-to-student ratios, securing the right travel insurance and establishing clear behavioural expectations.

Engaging parents early in the planning process builds trust and helps address any safety concerns they may have. 

4. Consider environmental responsibility

Schools can offset carbon emissions by choosing longer trips, less frequently, rather than many short ones, or incorporating sustainability education into the travel experience. This ensures that environmental awareness becomes part of the learning journey.

5. Gather parent and stakeholder input

Before making a final decision, schools should consult students, parents, staff and governors. Surveys or information evenings can be a great way to explore community priorities and concerns, and taking a collaborative approach ensures that the decision reflects shared values and ideas. 

Are you planning a school trip overseas? 

Offering overseas trips can provide powerful educational, cultural and personal benefits to your students. It can broaden their horizons, make them more independent and give them lasting memories with their friends.

However, high costs, safety responsibilities, inclusivity concerns, and environmental impact cannot be ignored.

Choosing to work with reputable companies, such as group flight specialists like BTG Travel, can help to take away some of the stress and administrative burden and make travelling overseas feel instantly easier and more accessible.

So, if you’re planning an overseas school trip this year and you’d like to know more about booking group flights, get in touch with our talented team to see how we can help.