Traverse Giants of the Travel World with Educational Travel Collaborative, L.L.C.

Mexico, Canada, and the United States share a complex and interdependent history of colonization, sovereignty movements, indigenous traditions, and European values. Each of these states has gone in fundamentally different directions, despite the relatively common history. Deep diving into one or more of these destinations is a great way to gain perspective on these economic, cultural, and political giants.

Vast Territories. Diverse Traditions. Enduring Complexities.

Ignore North America at your own peril, whether you are a traveler, artist, writer, designer, economist, or thought leader in virtually any field. Truly understand it and your potential is limitless!

Travelers from the US and Canada often forget that North America is one of the classic trips on the international travel circuit - from skiing the Canadian Rockies to the temples and flavors of Mexico. Whether you want to plan a quick city tour, an intimate dive into a particular region, or a once-in-a-lifetime epic road trip, we'd love to help you refine an itinerary to align with and ignite your passions and areas of personal and professional growth!

Spotlight: The US Road Trip

A Right of Passage

Crossing the United States by car has been seen as a right of passage for decades - giving travelers a chance to take in not only the highlights of some of the nation's great cities but the landscapes of its countryside and the majesty of its national park system. The chance to experience the breadth of this nation enables travelers, even those who have lived most or all of their lives in the country, to comprehend more about the soul of the USA - what unites its disparate regions and varied cultures. This understanding is important to anyone whose areas of interest involve the United States or a region of the world impacted by the nation and its policies - and for better or worse, there is no corner of the world untouched by US culture and power.

Geographical and Cultural Diversity

The beauty of a transcontinental itinerary across the United States is the opportunity it affords to experience not only a diversity of landscapes but a diversity of communities. In every destination, there are narratives from myriad perspectives, indigenous histories, the influence of migrant communities, the despicable legacy of slavery and segregation, and countless musical, literary, and culinary traditions that have been developed and refined by the continuous upheaval that has shaped this young nation. At times it may feel that the more we learn about the country, the more we have to comprehend. Let us work with you as you chart your course and ignite your imagination!

Spotlight: Mexico

A Smorgasbord of Culture

The strength of Mexico's cultural heritage, both indigenous and westernized, is known around the world. Whether you are traveling the breadth of this geographically and culturally diverse nation or taking a deep dive into a particular region, there is so much in the world of art, music, fashion, tradition, and design to be explored in Mexico.

A Vital Regional Player

Mexico is at the center of politics, industrial development, and vital supply chains both across North America and the world. Getting to know this modern and dynamic state beyond the headlines and stereotypes offers travelers a unique perspective on international business, governance, and development fields. An understanding of this part of the world is a great way to spark your passions and differentiate yourself from the competition.

Planning Notes

As with any area of the world, there are particular planning notes that you should be aware of - North America is no exception. Here are a few tips to help you to start conceptualizing your exploration of North America!

Duration: Balancing Depth and Scope

One of the things we find ourselves supporting aspiring travelers through most often is the adjustment of their expectations around how much they should attempt to see and do in a set amount of time. Travelers have the option of focusing on a specific region of a country or using a blend of air and ground travel to try to get a general understanding of their destination. We'd recommend at least 10 days in a country or region to get a general sense of things. We look forward to working with you as you consider your options in terms of destination, activities, and service-learning opportunities.

Automibile, Public Transportation, or Air?

Your intended transportation method on the road will have an impact on what destinations make the most sense for you. Mexico does public transportation better than the US and Canada on a nationwide level, but large swathes of these countries can be navigated through public transit as well. We can help you make the decisions in terms of destination and transportation methods that balance cost, local engagement, and environmental concerns while ensuring you have a rich and deep engagement with your destination and the communities that make it special and globally relevant.

Highlighting Overlooked Voices

The United States, Canada, and Mexico have complicated histories of conflict with and exploitation of various groups, from indigenous, to immigrant, to formerly enslaved. Effective travel to and engagement with this part of the world needs to facilitate engagement will as many perspectives and experiences as possible, anywhere in the world. Our partners and itinerary planners will help you to take stock of a diversity of experiences and realities that exists across your destination, giving you a deeper understanding of the political, cultural, and economic realities of your destination.

Estimated Costs and Pricing

Every itinerary is different, tailored to what you want to do and see, and your speed and style of travel. That said, these ballpark figures provide a solid estimate of what all-in costs could look like, including our fees, international airfare, and day to day meals and expenses. Estimates are for one traveler, see our pricing page for more information on small groups, and pricing differences for gap year travelers versus shorter term travel.