10 Tips to Be Everyone's Favorite Program Leader
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Leading a group of high school students on a teen summer travel program with CIEE is an unforgettable adventure where you can become a skilled travel guide, compassionate mentor and enthusiastic fellow traveler.
The trip will be full of growth, and you'll be challenged to become a better leader, whether navigating travel logistics in a new country, untangling cultural miscommunications, or finding your inner storyteller.
This blog will give you ten tips on how to make this study abroad trip one you and your cohort will remember for a lifetime.
1. Be Organized
Traveling with teens halfway around the world? Organization is your new best friend. It's perhaps the most important element of how to be a good chaperone.
CIEE takes organization seriously and starts preparing Program Leaders for their summer early. You'll attend CIEE training in the spring, where you'll learn all about the program curriculum, travel safety by country, and travel logistics.
Once summer rolls around, you'll be ready to roll with schedules and activities that combine learning with real-world experiences.
Stay on top of the details once you're at your destination, and your summer program will run like a dream.
2. Get to Know Each of Your Students
How to be a good mentor begins and ends with strong relationships with your mentees. Unlike in a classroom setting, you are much more than their teacher. You will be the adult they turn to for everything, however temporarily.
That means that trust is key.
Get to know each student individually. Ask what their interests are and what their home life is like, and, most importantly, check in with each student every day to see how they are experiencing the trip.
Through check-ins and thoughtful reflections (individually and as a group), you will help your students to feel supported, move past any challenges, and truly appreciate all the magic of their experience.
Read our blog detailing why Program leaders are vital components of our CIEE High School Summer Abroad programs.
3. Prepare to Be Active
CIEE programs are no sit-in-a-classroom-all-day kind of experience. Get ready to be on your feet—walking through bustling city streets, hiking through scenic landscapes, and diving into local activities.
You'll clock in about six to eight miles daily, so pack your comfiest shoes. Whether swimming, biking, or trekking to the next site, you're in for an active, exciting time.
4. Speak the Target Language—All the Time!
For Program Leaders guiding Language & Culture Programs, you and your students will have pledged to speak the target language 24/7. It's an incredible opportunity for your students to make huge strides in their language skills, often improving by an entire proficiency level in just a few weeks!
This is also your chance to sharpen and freshen up your own language skills.
Practice with them, encourage them, and make the language come to life through everyday interactions. Whether ordering food or navigating public transport, you'll be the language role model they need!
5. Share Your Enthusiasm
Excitement is contagious. Many Program Leaders have already traveled to or lived in the cities or countries they're leading students through, and those personal connections are invaluable.
Share your favorite memories and the little things that make the place special to you and watch as your students catch that same enthusiasm. When you're passionate, they'll feel it, and their curiosity will grow as they explore this new place with fresh eyes.
6. Tell Stories—And Jokes!
Nobody wants a history lesson straight out of a textbook. Bring the culture to life by weaving in stories, interesting facts, and, yes, even a few jokes!
Whether it's the tale of an ancient battle or a quirky local tradition, the human element makes it all more relatable. You don't have to be a comedian, but a lighthearted approach helps break up the serious moments and keeps your group engaged.
7. Prepare for Culture Shock and Homesickness
New country, new culture—it's a lot to take in, and it's common for students to feel a little overwhelmed. Your role as a Program Leader is to help them navigate those emotional ups and downs.
Reassure them when they miss home, offer tips on adjusting to new surroundings and a different culture, and remind them that what's "normal" at home isn't necessarily the case abroad.
Guiding students on homesickness and culture shock is a part of CIEE Program Leader training, so you will be well-prepared with strategies for your trip.
8. Be on the Lookout for Magic Moments
One of the most rewarding parts of being a Program Leader is seeing your students' eyes light up as they experience the wonder of travel. Maybe it's their first time confidently using the local language or the moment they're star-struck, staring at an incredible landscape.
Keep an eye out for these moments and help your students reflect on them—they'll remember these little sparks of joy forever, and their passion will ignite your love for the world.
9. Remember That Teenagers Can Be Forgetful
Teenagers are a lot of things—curious, energetic, excited—but they can also be forgetful. Keep an extra stash of essentials like sunscreen, water bottles, tissues, and Band-Aids, because chances are someone will need them.
Being a Program Leader who's always prepared for the little things will make you the hero of the day more than once!
10. Recruit Your Class to Join You (And Get Perks!)
Already got a group of excited students in your classroom who want to join the fun? CIEE's referral program offers awesome perks for Program Leaders who recruit students for summer abroad programs.
Get eight to 11 students to sign up, and you will qualify to extend your trip and skip chaperoning the return flight!
Ready to Lead the Adventure?
Becoming a Program Leader with CIEE is more than just an opportunity to travel—it's your chance to inspire the next generation of global citizens.
If you're ready to help students discover new cultures, level up their language skills, and grow in ways they never imagined, then apply now to be a CIEE Program Leader!