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Our Story

Education and personal growth are at the heart of everything we do. Our programs provide opportunities for students of all ages and from all circumstances to explore beyond the classroom and unlock a passion for lifelong learning.

10,000+

Teacher-led programs we bring to life every year.

900,000+

K-12 students who participate in our career immersion programs.

100+

International universities we partner with to create our exciting study abroad programs.

Our History

For over 55 years, WorldStrides has been the organization of choice for millions of students, parents, and teachers looking for experiential educational travel. Our journey to becoming a trusted leader in educational travel all began with Phil Wendel, a social studies teacher who witnessed firsthand the impact of immersive educational travel on his class.

Our Approach

At WorldStrides, we create unforgettable immersive learning adventures and life-changing moments for students of all ages. Our programs offer students the chance to discover something new about a subject they’re interested in, about the world around them, and about themselves.

K-12 students participating in an adventure organized by their teacher or coach are actively engaged in the learning process through our trademarked educational philosophy: LEAP™—Learning through Exploration and Active Participation. LEAP activities provide students with hands-on learning opportunities like learning how to cook local cuisine or taking a folk dancing lesson.

K-12 students can also explore their passions as part of our career exploration programs. These multi-day immersive experiences introduce students to a variety of potential career paths in their field of interest, whether that’s medicine, engineering, government, leadership, or veterinary science. Students work alongside similarly passionate peers from around the country to tackle challenges, gain new skills, and apply their knowledge.

Post-secondary students turn the world into their classroom as part of our higher education study abroad programs. Students can spend weeks, semesters, and even full academic years immersed in a new culture, taking classes at one of our partner universities or completing an internship.