First Trip without Family: United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales)

Summer 2008

Maybe you’ve heard of People to People… maybe not. In short, it’s a student-ambassador program where groups of kids trot around the globe learning about other cultures while—no pressure—representing American culture. I went on two trips with them and loved every minute.

My first adventure was as a middle schooler, wandering through England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for three whole weeks—away from home, away from parents, friends, and every comfort zone I’d ever known. The program held pre-departure meetings to calm our adolescent nerves (and probably our parents’). Luckily, two of my school friends came along, which made it easier to fully dive into the experience.

Everything was impressively organized from start to finish. We hit the major cities—so yes, all the touristy sparkle of London and Edinburgh—and then wound our way through the gorgeous countryside of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on a giant bus bravely navigating narrow, occasionally cobblestoned roads.

We met a member of Parliament, played a hole of golf at St. Andrews, visited Shakespeare’s stomping grounds in Stratford-upon-Avon, and even rappelled down a castle wall. We feasted at a Henry VII–themed dinner, rode the London Eye, wandered the storied grounds of the Tower of London, and did team-bonding exercises in a Welsh field. What more could an awkward middle schooler ask for? I was thriving. Every new sight, every “exotic” food (cue Scottish haggis—a delightful medley of sheep organs—yum?), every new person unlocked a little piece of myself I didn’t know existed. That’s when the travel bug bit me. Hard.

Even now, years later, I love following the lives of my fellow travelers on social media. We share an unspoken bond from that time we hopped across the Pond with a bunch of strangers and came home with lifelong memories. The three weeks flew by, but the emotions—excitement, fearlessness, curiosity, gratitude—have stuck with me ever since that first parent-free adventure.

I’ve always loved the saying, “You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.” It hit especially hard in the UK, a place that feels as old as time. So if you’re a history buff, the UK and the rest of Europe—with their centuries-old buildings, Roman cathedrals, and architectural snapshots of eras frozen in time—might just be your dream destination.

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To Do or Not to Do?

You really can’t go wrong with a trip to the UK. Each country is packed with rich history, buzzing cities, and countryside so gorgeous it feels like a movie set. Sure, everyone speaks English—though the accents can be so wildly different you might occasionally question that—but diving into centuries-old traditions and sampling local dishes is half the fun.

You definitely don’t need a travel program to enjoy it, but it was nice having our itinerary and activities ready to roll. Just something to keep in mind as you plan your own must-dos and must-sees.

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