BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
GLOBAL CLASSROOM
UPCOMING INFO MEETINGS
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January 21 @ 6pm: Cafeteria. German-American Exchange Program (GAPP)
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Feb. 5 @ 6:30pm: Rm. 321. South Korea & Japan EF Tour (July 2026)
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Feb. 5 @ 6:30pm: Rm. 220. Central Europe History Tour (June 2027)
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March 26 @ 6pm: Cafeteria. Europe EF Tour Info Meeting (July 2027)
We believe that learning never ends and some of our most memorial moments happen when we are out exploring the world. Experienced educators offer domestic and international trips as well as exchange programs throughout the year to students and community members.
We post trip 2 or more years in advance and encourage travelers to enroll early so they are guaranteed the lowest program fee and an affordable monthly payment plan. Long term planning also gives travelers time to fund-raise and look forward to the adventures ahead.
Space is limited on our trips, which often fill to capacity, causing travelers to be wait-listed and sometimes even turned away, so start planning now.
Where will YOU go?
The Global Classroom Krewe offers community tours in partnership with EF Educational Tours, as well as exchange programs in partnership with Benjamin Franklin High School.
GLOBAL CLASSROOM
To enroll or learn more, visit a tour's website by clicking on its title or photo. You may also email the tour's group leader by clicking on his or her name. Students, along with their friends and families are welcome on all tours. Alumni are also encouraged to travel as well.
INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
STUDENT-CENTERED
Student-centered tours include high activity levels, budget-friendly hotels and accommodations, service project opportunities and high school/college credit opportunities.
COSTA RICA Service Trip / June 1-8, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable and meaningful trip to Costa Rica where students will volunteer at a local school and different ecological conservation sites. This will be our second time working with our partner school in San Jose as well as exploring the rich culture and history of the country as well as some fun activities along the way. Families are welcome and students will received a generous amount of service hour credit.
Contact: John Parauka at jparauka@bfhsla.org
CHINA / June 7- June 20, 2026
This tour combines iconic cultural sites and natural wonders — similar to many recommended China itineraries that aim to balance history, nature, and urban life. These kinds of multi-city tours are a common option for about 10–14 days in China with stops like Beijing’s Great Wall & Forbidden City, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, Guilin’s river scenery, and Shanghai’s skyline.
Contact: Maria Qin at mqin@bfhsla.org
ITALY & GREECE / June 10 - 19, 2026
Wander from ancient wonders in Athens and Delphi to Renaissance treasures in Florence. Follow in larger-than-life footsteps, like Julius Caesar’s in the Roman Forum and gods and goddesses’ at the Acropolis. Just remember to dial your time machine to present day to compare life in Italy and Greece now as you explore energetic areas like the Plaka District and Piazza della Signoria.
Contact: Natalie Beck at nbeck@bfhsla.org
SOUTH KOREA & JAPAN / July 1-11, 2026
This immersive journey begins with an overnight flight to South Korea, exploring Seoul’s historic palaces, vibrant neighborhoods, and scenic viewpoints, followed by high-speed rail travel to Busan to experience coastal temples, memorials, parks, and beaches. Students return to Seoul to learn about Korean history and culture through an observatory visit and hands-on cooking class. The adventure continues in Japan with stops in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, featuring iconic temples, shrines, castles, and bamboo forests. The trip concludes with views of Mount Fuji, natural caves, traditional villages, and guided tours of Tokyo’s most famous cultural landmarks.
Contact: Rachel Becker at rbecker@bfhsla.org
Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest / JUNE 2027
Travel through the Iron Curtain and World War II to Gothic cathedrals and ancient cities that are now more vibrant than ever. Berlin mixes historical significance, rich culture and an exciting cosmopolitan energy. Prague, which escaped the bombs of World War II, woos you with old-world charm. And in Kraków and Budapest, two of Europe's most underrated cities, architectural gems await around every corner.
Contact: Natalie Beck at nbeck@bfhsla.org
England, France, Swtizerland and Italy / July 2027
From England to Italy, go in depth with some of Europe’s most loved cities. Witness London’s royal tradition outside Buckingham Palace. Experience Paris’s artistic heritage at the Louvre. Marvel at the grandeur of the Swiss Alps. And learn how Italy transformed the world two times: Florence produced the Renaissance, and Rome was the center of an empire.
Contact: Rachel Becker at rbecker@bfhsla.org
DOMESTIC TRIPS
More information coming soon.....
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
A high school exchange program allows students to live and study in another country while immersing themselves in a new culture, language, and education system. Through daily life with host families and local schools, students build global awareness, independence, and cross-cultural communication skills. These experiences foster personal growth and prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
GAPP exchange with Wili-Graf Gymnasium in Berlin / May 25 - June 24, 2026
GAPP is an exchange program developed by the Goethe Institute and supported by the US Department of State. The GAPP Program started in the 1970s and has continued to grow. The program is designed for German and American students to exchange and experience another culture while applying their language skills. The students from Germany will come to the US, live with our families, and attend school; we in turn will do the same. The exchange is an excellent opportunity for your student to have the chance to experience Germany and its culture through living with a family and attending school.
Contact: Rachel Becker at rbecker@bfhsla.org
adult travel
Enjoy a private group experience designed just for adults wanting to relax and get the most out of their tour. Includes: more relaxed pace, upgraded accommodations, and choice dining with adult beverages included. Students are welcome to attend if they are accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. Our main travel partner is Go Ahead Tours which is part of the EF educational tour parent company. Join our adult travel Facebook group to for updates and announcements.
Barcelona, South of France & the Italian Riviera / November 9-21, 2026
Discover the essence of the Mediterranean with a journey through the sun-kissed landscapes and distinctive cultures of Spain, France, and Italy—plus a glamorous surprise in the form of Monaco’s iconic coastline. Begin in Barcelona, Gaudí’s architectural playground, before meandering through medieval Avignon. Greet the Mediterranean, starting with Nice’s azure waters, before winding through the cliffside tapestry of Cinque Terre and reveling in the Renaissance in Florence. Extend your trip to Rome and fill your heart with the Eternal City’s living history.
Contact: Natalie Beck at nbeck@bfhsla.org
Paris, Normandy, Brittany Coast & the Loire Valley / march 23-april 2, 2027
Grand and romantic. Moody and medieval. Historic and meaningful. Northern France offers an undeniable combination of stories and scenery. (And patisseries!) Immerse yourself in World War II history on the beaches of Normandy, visit larger-than-life landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Mont-Saint-Michel, and treat your eyes to whimsical countryside chateaux in the Loire Valley. Along the way, feast on fresh oysters, local wine, and landscapes that will set your heart aflame.
Contact: Christy Read at cread@bfhsla.org
ITALY & GREECE JULY 2027
There’s something comforting about arriving in Italy: Azure waves lapping at picturesque seaside towns, piazzas teeming with locals sipping aperitivi, and monuments that have witnessed thousands of years of history all come together to create a sense of timelessness. Linger over a limoncello and savor Italy’s lush Sorrento Peninsula and Isle of Capri before continuing to the ruins of Pompeii and the Eternal City—Rome. Your journey then winds through Greece, where temples and colossal amphitheaters still stand amidst modern metropolises. Extend your trip to Santorini and revel in the sun-splashed island’s iconic whitewashed buildings and pristine beaches.
Contact: Natalie Beck at nbeck@bfhsla.org
EGYPT & THE NILE / MARCH/APRIL 2028
Descend into a world of ancient wonders to discover the land behind the legends. Walk past towering stone icons, through avenues of sphinxes, and into royal valleys tucked amid desert sands. Then, cruise down the Nile and anchor at remote islands under the watchful gaze of the Theban Hills. End your adventure in Cairo, where the prayer calls of historic houses of worship echo amidst the modern bustle. Extend your trip across the Sinai Peninsula, to Jordan, to explore the umber-colored remains of Petra and take a dip in the Dead Sea.
Contact: Christy Read at cread@bfhsla.org
