Your 17-year-old friend, Lena, has just finished her exams and wants to travel abroad for the first time. She's very excited but also quite nervous. She doesn't have much travel experience and has never been on a plane. Lena is also:

• shy around strangers and not confident with foreign languages
  
  

• worried about her budget – she can’t afford expensive hotels or flights
  
  

• interested in learning about different cultures, but she gets homesick easily
  
  

• unsure whether to travel alone or with someone
  
  

• a bit of a picky eater and not very adventurous with food
  
  

She’s asked you for help choosing the best way to travel safely and enjoyably. Here are some of the things she’s considering:

💡 Ideas to discuss:

• Booking a package tour
  
  

• Travelling with a friend
  
  

• Going on a volunteering holiday
  
  

• Visiting a country where English is spoken
  
  

• Staying with a host family
  
  

• Joining a student exchange programme
  
  

❓ Discuss these questions:

1. What are the pros and cons of each idea for Lena, given her personality and situation?
   
   

2. Which options could be too challenging or stressful for her?
   
   

3. What option would help her feel comfortable, safe, and still enjoy the culture?
   
   

4. Is there a combination of ideas that might work better together?

✅ Now decide together:

Which one of these ideas would be the best for Lena’s first trip abroad? Try to agree and explain your decision clearly.

Express your ideas here. You can use this rubric.

Booking a package tour

Pros:

• Safe and well-organized

• Everything is planned (accommodation, transport, activities)

• Easier for someone shy or not confident in languages

• Usually more budget-friendly than booking things separately

  
  

Cons:

• Less freedom/flexibility

• Might not suit picky eaters if meals are included

• Can feel rushed or too touristy

  
  

Travelling with a friend

Pros:

• Emotional support and comfort

• Helps with homesickness

• Easier to try new things with someone familiar

Cons:

• Could lead to disagreements

• Needs coordination (schedules, interests, budget)

• Still some responsibility for planning

Volunteering holiday

Pros:

• Great for learning about new cultures

• Often includes accommodation and meals (budget-friendly)

• Can be very rewarding and social

Cons:

• May be physically or emotionally challenging

• Might require confidence in English

• Not ideal if she’s shy or picky about food/living conditions

Visiting an English-speaking country

Pros:

• Less language stress

• Easier to ask for help or follow directions

• She might feel safer and more comfortable

Cons:

• These countries can be expensive

• Still might feel lonely or overwhelmed

• Culture might still feel unfamiliar

Booking a package tour

• It’s well-organized and safe — perfect for someone without travel experience.

• She won’t have to worry about planning, booking, or navigating foreign languages.

• She can explore local culture through guided activities, without being overwhelmed.

• It’s more budget-friendly than solo travel or luxury trips.

• The package tour gives structure, safety, and cultural experiences without language stress.

• Travelling with a friend adds comfort and emotional support, which helps with her shyness and homesickness.

• Together, this option feels safe, social, and enjoyable — without being too expensive or overwhelming.

The best idea for Lena is a package tour with a friend. This option gives her the structure and safety of an organized trip, which is great since she has little travel experience and is shy. Travelling with a friend would help her feel more confident and reduce homesickness. She’d still get to enjoy local culture through guided activities, but without the stress of planning or handling everything on her own.

Your 17-year-old friend, Lena, has just finished her exams and wants to travel abroad for the first time. She's very excited but also quite nervous. She doesn't have much travel experience and has never been on a plane. Lena is also:

• shy around strangers and not confident with foreign languages
  
  

• worried about her budget – she can’t afford expensive hotels or flights
  
  

• interested in learning about different cultures, but she gets homesick easily
  
  

• unsure whether to travel alone or with someone
  
  

• a bit of a picky eater and not very adventurous with food
  
  

She’s asked you for help choosing the best way to travel safely and enjoyably. Here are some of the things she’s considering:

💡 Ideas to discuss:

• Booking a package tour
  
  

• Travelling with a friend
  
  

• Going on a volunteering holiday
  
  

• Visiting a country where English is spoken
  
  

• Staying with a host family
  
  

• Joining a student exchange programme
  
  

❓ Discuss these questions:

1. What are the pros and cons of each idea for Lena, given her personality and situation?
   
   

2. Which options could be too challenging or stressful for her?
   
   

3. What option would help her feel comfortable, safe, and still enjoy the culture?
   
   

4. Is there a combination of ideas that might work better together?

✅ Now decide together:

Which one of these ideas would be the best for Lena’s first trip abroad? Try to agree and explain your decision clearly.