The International Travel Program provides opportunities for members to interact with colleagues abroad, learn about schooling in other nations, and sample the culture in various countries. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, educators facing common challenges can learn much from sharing ideas and debating policies with their counterparts in other countries through this professional development program.
Travel to Finland/Sweden with PDK: October 22-31, 2012
Enroll by May 21, 2012
Don’t miss a valuable opportunity to connect and converse with your European colleagues. Join other members on a 10-day study tour to schools in Finland and Sweden, and experience the sites and culture of northern Europe while earning valuable professional development credit. Space is limited. This program is run through a partnership with EF, register now by calling EF at 877-253-5360!
International Travel Scholarships
In 1980 Gerald Read and his wife, Vickie, established an endowment to provide scholarships that support members who want to participate in this travel program. Pi Lambda Theta members may apply for one of the Gerald Howard Read International Travel Scholarships to help offset the cost of traveling on this program.
Apply for a Gerald Howard Read International Travel Scholarship now. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is March 26, 2012. There are a limited number of scholarships available. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. You will be notified of the status of your application no later than April 9. You will then have until April 23 to contact EF Tours and register for the trip.
Estimated tour cost*
New York City (NYC) $2,779
Atlanta (ATL) $2,854
Chicago (ORD) $2,874
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) $2,879
Los Angeles (LAX) $2,959
Land Only $1,595
Your 10-day will include:
- Round-trip airfare
- Hotels
- Transfers
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Guided sightseeing tours
- Walking tours
- Entrance fees to select attractions
* EF can provide a detailed price quote out of your gateway. For prices and more information call EF at 877-253-5360. Prices are valid until March 31, 2012. All fees are subject to change.
NOTICE: Travelers MUST register with the name that appears or will appear on their passports. Name changes will result in a minimum $200 fee, in addition to any costs incurred by the airlines. These costs grow significantly as the departure date draws nearer.
Information regarding passport renewals and applications can be found at www.travel.state.gov. It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain the proper travel documents. Neither EF nor PDK International will issue refunds if a traveler does not have a valid passport or visa (non-US citizens) for travel.
Itinerary
Day 1 • Flight
Overnight flight to Helsinki.
Day 2 • Helsinki
Arrive in Helsinki, Finland’s capital and largest city. After you transfer to the hotel, join your EF tour director for a walking tour of Helsinki.
Day 3 • Helsinki
Guided sightseeing and school visit. See some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Temppeliaukio Church. Then visit a local school for a chance to discuss teaching practices with Finnish educators.
Day 4 • Helsinki
Examine the methods that lead to high scores on PISA and other forms of student assessment on a site visit to a local school. Next, visit the Finnish National Board of Education where you will learn about Finnish education from a policy point of view.
Day 5 • Tallinn, Estonia
Travel by ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Day 6 • Helsinki/Stockholm
Examine education policy on the national level as you visit the Finnish Ministry of Education. Enjoy exploring the Finnish capital at your leisure before departing on an overnight ferry to Stockholm.
Day 7 • Stockholm
Travel to Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and largest city. After your arrival, your tour director will lead you through Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town). Prepare your own education visits for the afternoon before relaxing at one of Stockholm’s many cafés.
Day 8 • Stockholm
A local guide will introduce you to Stockholm’s impressive architecture and rich history. See City Hall, where the Nobel Prize is awarded, Skansen, and the famous Vasa Ship, located on the island of Djurgarden. Compare education in Finland and Sweden as you visit a school in Stockholm this afternoon.
Day 9 • Stockholm
Compare education in Finland and Sweden as you visit another school in Stockholm. Examine teacher training in Sweden during a visit to local school or university.
Day 10 • Flight
Transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.
For more information, call 800-766-1156 or e-mail intltravel@pdkintl.org.
Questions? Email intltravel@pdkintl.org.
