Not Just a Trip: Bringing the Ancient World to Life for My Students

Sara is a Latin teacher from Massachusetts, who had previously traveled as an ACIS student when she was in high school. Now she reflects on bringing her students overseas in February 2026 to experience the magic of travel as an educator.

There are moments in teaching that remind you exactly why you chose this profession. For me, many of those moments have happened not in my classroom, but standing with students in places of the ancient world that we had only ever read about together.

Like many teachers, I approach student travel with both excitement and caution. We are responsible not only for logistics, but for safety, engagement, and the educational value of every moment. What stood out to me immediately with ACIS was how deeply they understand that responsibility—and how thoughtfully they support teachers in carrying it.

From the very beginning, the office staff made the planning process feel manageable and collaborative rather than overwhelming. Every question I had—whether logistical, financial, or student-centered—was met with clarity, patience, and genuine care. It never felt transactional. It felt like a partnership. The year of planning flew by. The students and I were ready to start our adventure.

And then we landed in Greece and met our Tour Manager, Francesco.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Francesco elevated this trip from excellent to extraordinary. His depth of knowledge was remarkable, but even more impressive was his ability to make that knowledge accessible and engaging for high school students. He didn’t just “tell” them about the ancient world—they experienced it through his storytelling, his questions, and his clear passion for the material.

As a Latin teacher, I am always hoping students will make connections between the texts we read and the real world. Francesco made those connections constant and vivid. Whether we were walking through ancient ruins or navigating a busy modern city, he wove history, culture, and context together in a way that kept students curious and attentive.

What I appreciated most, though, was how this experience impacted my students.

They returned more confident, more curious, and more connected to what we study in class. Places that once felt distant—Pompeii, the Roman Forum, Delphi—are now real to them. That shift is powerful. It changes how they read, how they ask questions, and how they see themselves in relation to the ancient world.

For those of us who teach Latin, we know how important it is to make an ancient culture feel alive and relevant. Travel does that in a way no textbook ever can.

This trip reminded me that experiential learning is not an “extra”—it is transformative. And having a company that understands both the educational and human side of that experience makes all the difference.

I would wholeheartedly recommend ACIS to other teachers considering student travel. Their attention to detail, their commitment to safety, and the caliber of their on-the-ground staff make them an exceptional partner in this impactful work.

Most importantly, they make it possible for us to give students something lasting: not just memories, but perspective.