Top 6 Educational Destinations for Students Around the World

Travel never goes out of style. However, traveling as a young student is a lot different from traveling as an adult. Yes, beach pictures and sightseeing are still nice, but it’s also a chance to learn history, art, science, and culture through osmosis. Classrooms just can’t replicate the experience of getting out into the world. And on top of learning, students gain one of the most important life skills of this time: expanding their worldview.

Ideal Destinations for Young Travelers

The world is way too big to make a definitive list. But everyone has to start somewhere. The criteria for these six wonderful places? Locations that are accessible, safe, culturally rich, and come with the opportunity to learn something new about what it means to be human.

Athens, Greece

The Odyssey is still a classic reading in many classrooms. There’s one thing trying to visualize the places Odysseus lands on his epic journey; it’s another thing to fly over the islands and get a bird’s eye view.

Athens is the birthplace of democracy, and students can see the Acropolis with their own eyes. There isn’t a better destination to connect to the foundation of modern philosophy and government.

Before going: Listen to the audiobook of The Odyssey (translated by Emily Wilson; read by Claire Danes).

Barcelona, Spain

Remember to pronounce the “c” as a “th” and you’re already on your way to blending in. Barcelona is not only an interesting region of Spain due to its unique identity and language (Catalan), but it is also a city with a lot of character.

Of course, for anyone interested in architecture, Barcelona is a top destination thanks to Sagrada Familia (it’s almost finished!) and the other works of Gaudí sprinkled around the city.

Before going: Research famous Spanish artists of the time, including Gaudí and Picasso.

Cusco, Peru

There is no place like Cusco to contemplate the rise and fall of empires. It’s also a great place to understand the balance between preserving culture and language in the modern age of post-colonization.

Machu Picchu is one of the most famous ruins in the world and can be easily accessed from Cusco.

Before going: Learn a few words of Quechua, still spoken in many parts of the South American Andes region.

Patagonia, Argentina

Once you've seen Patagonia's vast, utterly outer-worldly landscapes, you'll understand why the extremely popular outdoor clothing brand was named after the region. Patagonia has everything: glaciers, mountain huts, penguins, and even estancias (home stays).

It’s the ideal location for students interested in ecology, environmental science, and conservation. Not only is it the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the wilderness, but to be exposed to communities and initiatives that are doing what they can to protect it.

Before going: Watch Our Planet on Netflix, especially the “Frozen Worlds” and “Forests” episodes.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city that really balances the deeply traditional and extremely modern. There are many ancient temples and customs that still stand today, but the city and culture are constantly innovating exciting prospects in art, culture, and entertainment.

Interested in anime, manga, or gaming? Tokyo has some of the best places to connect with your favorite creators and projects, including Ghibli and Pokémon, or to visit the real-world locations that are featured in your favorite anime.

Before you go: Save some extra pocket money to do some shopping in Akihabara.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, under the watchful eye of Table Mountain, is a unique city and the ideal place to contemplate social justice, reconciliation, and the roots and consequences of practices like apartheid. Robben Island hosts tours that include a look at the small prison cell where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years.

The city is a mix of penguins, several languages, wine tours, and beaches. Basically, you have a little bit of everything.

Before going: Read Long Walk to Freedom (Nelson Mandela’s autobiography).

Smart Planning Tips

Certain important considerations and pre-travel tasks may not be immediately apparent for those who haven't logged a lot of travel in their life. Thoughtful planning ensures your trip centers on meaningful experiences instead of managing avoidable crises.

  • Bring health essentials like prescription or regularly consumed medicine, allergy supplies, or other personal items essential to your routine. Don’t assume you can find your go-to products locally in other countries.

  • Don’t forget an adapter. Check ahead of time to find out which types of outlets you need for your chosen destination. Also, buy a power bank for emergencies.

  • Take care of your digital hygiene. Don’t do sensitive tasks like banking or school assignments over public WiFi. Invest in a VPN service for free internet browsing protection while traveling, using it often to avoid getting hacked or targeted by cybercriminals.

Getting exposed to various other cultural norms and being pushed gently outside your comfort zone are important coming-of-age activities. Even better? Any trip abroad can also hone in on learning more about what you love. Happy travels!