Not all education happens at school. There is so much additional benefit to travel than the words holiday and vacation seem to imply. I think the act of travel teaches life lessons that can only be learned when you are immersed in a different culture, in a foreign land and in strange situations.

My 18 year old nephew Jake graduated high school last year and is currently working and trying to figure out his next steps in life. He hasn’t had much opportunity to travel and my husband and I felt it was the perfect time to take him out to see a piece of the world. After visiting Kenya last May, I knew this was the place to return with him in tow. Kenya is so impactful; the happiness people display despite the amount of poverty they live in, the animals in the wild and the fascinating cultures of the local tribes.

For this trip we went with G Adventures; the Canadian founded company that truly puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to their involvement in local communities and ensuring you interact with the local culture in an authentic way.  Our fellow travellers ranged in age from 21 to 73 and came from Norway, Australia and Canada. The experience of spending a week traveling and camping with strangers was an unexpected plus and a great experience for a young person. It was great to see Jake embrace the group; be confident in who he is and be questioned like an adult on the next steps of his life. Unlike when his mom or we question him about his future, he was discussing life plans with new friends at various stages of their own careers and lives and thinking on his own terms.

The impact on Jake’s life I think will truly be seen in a few years, but I did ask his mom if she saw a change and she has. He has stopped taking some things for granted, is more respectful and seems to have a bit more focus. Time will tell for sure.

Whether you are parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts I recommend taking a trip that challenges your mind. An All Inclusive resort or a trip to Disney is good for family fun but go somewhere that stretches your mind and challenges our North American outlook.  If not Africa, South East Asia - Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos – are great choices. I went there with my niece when she was 11 and I know it had a profound impact on her. Jake’s brother, Luke, volunteered for two months in Thailand when he finished high school and there is no question he was a much more mature and confident person when he came back. 

G Adventures has suggested a few tours that would have a positive and meaningful impact on teens:

  • Kenya Camping Safari – This is the trip Jake and I went on. Between now and April 30, 2014, Canada AM viewers can take advantage of an exclusive 15 per cent discount on all G Adventures Kenya trips with promo code CAMKY15. The Canadian small-group adventure travel tour operator offers 22 itineraries that visit Kenya in four Travel Styles including Comfort, Local Living, yolo and Classic. Viewers must travel by December 31, 2014.
  •  The Inca Trail - Conquering the Inca Trail can offer a sense of accomplishment; a visit to the Planeterra-supported Women's Weaving Co-op offers a culturally immersive and meaningful exchange
  • Best of Yunnan - China is a large country with diverse offerings; this trip takes travellers deeper into China to less-travelled regions where they'll have opportunities to meet a variety of ethnic minorities
  • Essential India - From the infamous Taj Mahal to Varanasi, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, there's no place like India. It's definitely an attack on your senses.
  • Local Living Ecuador: Amazon Jungle - It doesn't get more immersive than this. Travellers stay with a Quichua family in the Amazon Jungle and learn about their way of life.