How to organize a school trip to France or the United States

If you have a partnership with a French or an American school and if you plan a trip to visit the area where they live, here is some advice based on the experience of some schools to help you plan and organize the trip successfully:

- TRIP TO FRANCE

Visit Federal Consulate websites for travel advice/information:

• French Embassy

• Consulate in New York

• French Government Tourist Office/Maison de la France

- TRIP TO THE US

Visit Federal Consulate websites for travel advice/information:

• American Embassy

• Consulate in Toulouse

- Contact a travel agent for information on transportation, and group rates

- See with your partner teacher in France the possibility of pairing up the students and having them host their partner when they visit (and reciprocally)

- Create a budget

- Plan a fee schedule

- Meet with parents and students

- Distribute itinerary, information, fee schedule

- Arrange for necessary papers (passports, student I.D., badges, foreign currency...)

Useful links and documents :

- Medical Information for Americans traveling abroad. Information from the US Department of State.

Le B.A. BA du voyage scolaire à l'étranger-Guide du professeur Jacqueline ANGIBEAUD, Michel LANDRON, Françoise MAÎTRE CRDP des Pays de la Loire, 2005