In July of 2026, the Braves Abroad program will embark on a 14-day journey throughout Italy and Greece.
The club partnered with the educational tour company, EF, to organize an agenda through four countries in the Mediterranean region, with stops in Rome, Vatican City, Capri, Pompeii, Delphi, Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and a day trip into Ephesus before traveling home. Filled with delicious food and beautiful sights, this trip will surely be one to remember. Ms. Smalley and Ms. Murphy have led the program for years, inspiring many students to continue traveling beyond their Braves Abroad tours. It admittedly can be scary for students and parents alike to let a teenager travel without their family, but expanding their worldview by stepping outside their comfort zones can help someone grow as an individual. Ms. Smalley and Ms. Murphy kindly agreed to discuss the upcoming trip, the program itself, and certain fears that parents and students alike might share. Below is a transcript of how they responded:
What would you tell a student about Travel the World (Braves Abroad) who had never heard of the club before?
Ms. Smalley: “This is an amazing travel program that we have created and built over the last 10 years! They are non-school sponsored trips abroad that we run through the tour company, EF Tours (Education First)!”
Why do you think it’s important for students to enroll on these trips and see the world?
Ms. Murphy: “When we travel, we get a new perspective because our view of the world gets so much bigger. It’s so important to learn more about other people and cultures, and you do that best by being immersed in them.”
What is your favorite part about getting to travel with students?
Ms. Smalley: “I love watching students be excited for the adventure, then nervous when we arrive, and then embracing and navigating the new experiences! I truly think that every student grows in some way over the tour. Travel inspires inner reflection, and I believe that it can only make you a better human and global citizen!”
While this Mediterranean tour is now sold out, interested students should still keep an eye out on Schoology for future trips. The program is also traveling to Costa Rica in July of 2025, a unique, adventure-filled tour different from past European trips. Braves Abroad is a unique way for students to seize the opportunity to travel independently. With the help of many leaders eager to offer guidance, Hills students can broaden their experiences not only in the FLOW district but in the world beyond.
