Your travel experience with GEEO is not only about the destination—it’s also about preparing for your journey. We are committed to helping our participants prepare for their experience from the moment they sign up, and our program confirmation process is structured to give them more confidence and peace of mind that their trip will take place while still prioritizing the special group dynamic that comes with traveling with fellow educators.

GEEO’s Confirmation Process

The confirmation criteria detailed below applies for most GEEO program. For some of our programs—such as those that are enhanced with upgraded hotels—the minimum number of participants to confirm and run the program is always eight people, and the shared departure with G Adventures is never an option.

• Initial Confirmation (4 participants): As soon as four participants have registered for a program, GEEO confirms that it will run. This early confirmation provides you with the assurance needed to proceed with travel arrangements, such as airline tickets.
• Private GEEO Program (8+ participants): As long as a program has at least eight participants, it will run as a private GEEO group. In this setting, you can expect to travel alongside fellow educators and like-minded professionals (and their guests), a dynamic that makes the GEEO experience truly special.
• Shared Departure with G Adventures: Should the number of participants on a program fall short of eight by a designated date (the “release date”), it will transition into a shared trip in partnership with our tour operator, G Adventures, who will offer the trip to their clients on their website. The program’s dates and itinerary will be unchanged and our participants’ original pricing and discounts will be honored.

Regardless of what stage of the confirmation process your program is at, we encourage you to invite your colleagues, friends, and family members to join you. If you are interested in bringing a guest under the age of 18 to help your program reach the minimum number of participants, please reach out to us directly so we can review the details and explore the possibility.

What a Shared Trip with G Adventures Looks Like

If a GEEO program transitions to a shared trip with our partner tour operator, G Adventures, you will still benefit from the same services provided with any other GEEO experience.

• All original pricing is honored, including any early registration discounts, for travelers who are already registered. For example, alumni who sign up during the early registration period continue to receive an 8% discount, while non-alumni keep their 5% discount.
• You will continue to receive our attentive customer service (available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time—even on holidays)
• Even if a GEEO program is opened up to non-GEEO travelers through G Adventures, we still provide classroom resources and a professional development certificate after the trip ends.
• Participants can still take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in our three-hour graduate course through Southern New Hampshire University.

Anyone who travels through GEEO – whether on a private GEEO program, a GEEO trip that is shared with G Adventures, or a public G Adventures tour – can take advantage of these benefits, in addition to discounted travel insurance through International Volunteer Card.

A Diverse and Enriching Experience

We understand that some educators prefer traveling exclusively with fellow teachers. While we strive to maintain private GEEO groups, our partnership with G Adventures ensures that even in a shared departure, you’ll still benefit from GEEO’s educational focus, resources, and customer service.

One of the benefits of a shared departure with G Adventures is the opportunity to travel alongside a more diverse group of participants. While nearly all of our travelers are Americans, a shared trip with G Adventures often includes international travelers. This diversity not only enriches the cultural exchange but also provides an environment where you can interact with individuals from varied backgrounds, including non-educators.

Meeting people from different cultures and age groups (with G Adventures’ minimum age of 12 allowing for teenagers to participate alongside their parents) can foster a broader perspective. Imagine sharing a meal with a fellow traveler from Japan, learning about their education system while you share your own experiences. These kinds of cross-cultural exchanges are invaluable and help foster global understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that program confirmations and shared departures might bring up questions. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common ones to help you feel fully prepared for your trip.