One of the biggest social and cultural benefits students receive when traveling is the opportunity to meet other students from other backgrounds. In the group travel business, a full group is usually priced at 35 passengers; thus, when a school has less than 35 registrants, it can combine with another school to maintain the group price.

Resentment or Contentment?

Combining with another school, teacher, and students you are not familiar with obviously changes the group dynamic you bring with your group of students. This dynamic has the potential to be a real headache you did not anticipate, but it also has the potential to become a powerful cultural exchange for you and your students. In three decades, I have witnessed both. The difference usually lies in the attitudes of the Tour Directors and the effort and anticipation they put forth before the tour to ensure a successful experience for everyone.

Frame it to your students as a positive

This should never be sold to the students in a negative light but instead framed as a truly positive opportunity. First, every teacher and student must remember some simple facts.

FACT: Every student, regardless of the size of the group, has sacrificed and paid a lot of money to be on this tour and deserves a great tour.

FACT: By combining, both groups are helping the other keep their price down, and consideration needs to be given to both groups. Thus, there must be some give-and-take by both groups.

FACT: Depending on how much smaller, the smaller group may have to make a concession if a 50-50 compromise or split can't be made or may not make sense.

FACT: The tour guide will still be in the best position to offer advice on the tour to ensure a good flow in light of unforeseen and constantly changing events (traffic, closures, emergencies, etc).

FACT: When groups combine, we ask that you attempt to book any appointments you obtain for the full group (approximately 50). If you obtain a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, we ask that all groups be given the opportunity to share the four slots since there will only be time for one ceremony.

Arrange a telephone meet & greet among the teachers

While the Tour Coordinator is working with both groups to work out a compromise plan that meets everyone's goals, it is always a good idea for the teachers involved at both schools to communicate early and often. This call should, of course, be cordial and introductory. Hopefully, both teachers can review the itinerary and discuss any concerns prior to the tour.

This is also an opportunity to learn about the other students, so you can convey that to your students in advance. Students will want to know their ages, gender ratio, ethnicity, the interests of the other students, etc., if the students are from unique backgrounds (such as rural v. urban, south v. west coast, etc.). This may be a really exciting possibility.

Arrange a gift exchange or some form of student introduction

Some groups have pre-arranged their students to have a small token gift exchange. Perhaps an exchange of pins from your state, pencils, or a popular local food item. The teachers should agree to the gifts with each other so that one group does not show up without a gift or one of lesser value and feels embarrassed. Additionally, with today's video technology, you may try to plan your final parent meeting for the same night and time and try to have a Skype conference call. If not, perhaps send the other group a video greeting. I've even seen some groups plan a song or a special chant to perform when the groups meet. All of these things can be incredible icebreakers for nervous students and really can get the trip off on a great note.

Mutually respect the role of the Guide

The tour guide definitely has a challenging role of conveying information effectively and trying to keep multiple group leaders with different priorities happy. It is vital that once the tour begins, all of the group leaders are on the same page and understand what the guide is expecting to do. Your tour guide will be instructed to abide by the itinerary unless the group leaders unanimously agree, or the guide must make a change based on safety factors.

Group leaders should meet with the guide together

While it may not always be possible to meet your guide at the same time on arrival, it is important to avoid having conversations about the itinerary without all of the tour leaders being present. Thus, start the tour off on the first day as soon as possible with a joint meeting between the guide and all tour leaders. If possible, ask your Tour Coordinator to arrange a joint phone call with the guide before arrival.

Please remember that no matter how meticulously planned an itinerary is, it is always a goal rather than a guarantee. The guide will likely make suggested changes based on unexpected events, site closings, traffic, weather, or long lines. Obviously, set appointment times also create possible inconveniences to the group as those can not be changed. I always highly advise tour leaders to follow the guide's advice as they work tours every day and are in the best position to know the shortcuts and time constraints.

Prepare your students to RESPECT first

We will always attempt to pair groups close in age, although this is not always possible. Please prepare your own group to be courteous, compromising, and flexible. Combination groups should be seen as a positive cultural experience for your students to meet other students from different backgrounds and locations. However, please remind them to be respectful and not engage in conversation that may make their fellow travelers uncomfortable.

Your guide is highly skilled at working with groups from different backgrounds and different interests and will do their best to stick to the itinerary while respecting the rights of every student to receive their money's worth. The guides cannot control all of the possible clashes in age or culture, and for that reason, every teacher truly needs to go the extra mile to ensure their own students are well-behaved and respectful of the other travelers at all times.

Establish a method for resolving conflicts between the groups

Despite the best preparation, conflicts among students and even tour leaders may still arise on the tour. The most common I hear are:

• The other students are loud, misbehaved, cursing, etc
• The other group is always late, and we are missing tour time
• The other group is changing the itinerary
• The other teacher and I don't get along

Fortunately, these are usually the exceptions to the rule as most of our combination groups run flawlessly and return home with 20 new friends. Most of these problems could have also been averted altogether if the communication and expectations were laid out beforehand and each tour leader tried to prepare their group for the combination.

Once the tour has begun, I highly suggest all tour leaders meet privately each night with our hotel representative (escort ) and, if available, the guide to discuss the itinerary and any issues. As long as all adults understand they are to voice their complaints and problems privately among the group leaders and the escort, the trip will likely run smoothly for all participants.

"Hakuna matada!"… "No worries, mon!"… "Don't worry, be happy!"

Whatever your favorite life mantra may be, remember the key to a successful, life-changing experience for your students is to lead with a positive and flexible attitude. The majority of conflicts that arise are usually not even noticed by the travelers unless one of the adults publicly complains. While you obviously want every student to experience every detail that your past students experienced, they are going to return home with their memories and experiences, and the only way they will be disappointed is if you, their leader, is disappointed.

Every trip is unique, and every new experience is beneficial. There is no question that the opportunity to travel with a group of students from a different community can be a benefit in itself. I've always loved the expression, "Your best lessons in life come from the journey, not the destination." Light the fire in your students, share this fantastic opportunity to make new life-long friends with them, and prepare to have the best week of your life!