11 Travel Organizations YOU Should Know About
When it comes to encouraging inclusive travel experiences and closing travel disparities that students in under-resourced communities often face, the conversation often leads to a few specific challenges, primarily around accessibility and awareness.
the first being a general lack of awareness of travel opportunities and organizations that help facilitate student travel. these organizations often shoulder some of the burden that parents or educators may face in trying to find travel abroad experiences and coordinating all of the finite details of a successful experience.
Another challenge is that student travel experiences may lack diversity in staff, chaperones, or travelers. often times these organizations may not have adequate first-hand experience or training in navigating challenges that students of color may face when traveling abroad.
When it comes to cultivating a desire and curiosity to travel abroad, a perception shift is needed. many students don’t see others from their community traveling abroad, so they don’t know it’s a possibility. there is a saying, “What you see, is what you’ll be,” meaning when you see someone that looks like you doing something new, that thing becomes possible.
at the too fly foundation, or mission is to tackle those challenges, To inspire the curiosity to travel abroad, equip students from under-resourced communities with passports, travel grants, and educational experiences so that they, too, can see the world. with that, we want to share travel organizations that share our vision and address these challenges. Whether you are a student, parent, educator, or community leader we hope you’ll amplify the work of the organizations that are “doing the work.”
These organizations are serving communities we care about. Get familiar with their why and their impact.
1. beGirl.world
beGirl.world (bGw) empowers teenage girls through global education and travel. bGw challenges girls to think beyond their neighborhood, dream bigger than their city limits, and create possibilities outside their country's borders.
2. Birthright AFRICA
Birthright AFRICA has been committed to providing a free educational trip to Africa for every youth and young adult of African descent ages 13 – 30 in the United States. With our Education Partners–high schools, colleges, and community-based organizations–61 scholars of African descent have received their birthright to explore the resilience and brilliance of their heritage locally, nationally, and across the African continent.
3. Black Girls Travel Too
Black Girls Travel Too curates travel experiences with the intent of stretching, growing, and enriching women through travel. They are encouraging women of color to leave their backyards and live through travel.
4. Experience Real Cartagena
Experience Real Cartagena (ERC) provides exemplary tour experiences in Cartagena de Indias. Sharing experiences with the real history, culture, and people of the city (specifically highlighting the Afro-Cartagena experience). ERC also has a “social projects” initiative which looks to build up the neighborhoods and educate the people.
5. The Global Intent
The Global Intent is a travel group specializing in Global VolunTourism from the Black Millennial perspective.
6. Go Overseas
Go Overseas is your guide to 18,000+ programs that will change how you see the world. They offer study abroad, volunteer abroad, teach abroad, and intern abroad opportunities.
7. No Barriers x Learning AFAR
@nobarriersusa
www.nobarriersusa.org
No Barriers looks to change the trajectory of the lives of young people in underserved communities through transformative experiences, educational content, and community-building activities that foster positive development. The partnership with Learning AFAR ensures that all youth, regardless of background or ability, have the opportunities to experience the world and their place in it.
8. NOMADNESS
NOMADNESS Travel Tribe represents the voices and industry impact of black and brown travelers. The mission is to show the world that travel has no racial, gender, religious, economic, or interest limitations.
9. The Pathways Project
The Pathways Project looks to reduce hiring inequalities in the Group Tourism industry by creating pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation.
10. Teens of Color Abroad
Teens of Color Abroad provides high school students of color with language immersion study abroad programs.
11. Verto Education
Verto helps to provide travel experiences for college-aged students. They look to help shape and prepare the next wave of global leaders through their programming.
