Alumni Travel

One of the first trips I took after graduating from college was to Russia, which can be a daunting destination when you go alone. Wisely (hey, that college education counts for something), I decided to travel with an alumni group from school rather than going it alone.

The alumni group wasn't limited to my class. There were people of all ages, from recent graduates to ones who'd attended their 40^th reunion. Even the president of the university and his wife decided to travel with us.

The college affiliation we all had in common made us different from a tour group made of strangers. We'd walked the same halls, lived in the same dorms, and had many of the same teachers. So conversations came easily and new friendships formed quickly as we explored the fascinating cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg together.

Hook up with the College Alumni Crowd

Even if you're not the rah-rah class-reunion type you may still find alumni travel rewarding. Most trips are to overseas destinations, and by arranging transportation, lodging, transfers, and some meals and activities, the tour operator saves you the headache of planning. Preferred access to popular attractions and specially arranged cultural experience may also be arranged.

You don't need to have graduated or attended the college to participate in an alumni class trip. If your sheepskin says Podunk U but you'd rather rub shoulders with the brains at, say, Stanford, you're welcome to come. You'll just have to pay a little extra, and you won't have the same frame of reference as others in the group to start.

If you care more about choosing a particular destination and itinerary than traveling with a specific alumni group, you can book directly through AHI Travel. For 50 years this company has been arranging learning adventures for many different alumni associations, and they can add you to a group interested in the same trip.

Often a faculty member will attend as the host, and he or she may offer lectures to enrich the journey. Do you have to go? No! Attendance certainly isn't mandatory and there are no finals or grades given. This is travel simply for the joy of it, combined with learning that broadens your knowledge base. When the professor is an expert in the history or culture of the region you visit, you'll return home knowing so much more than when you left, rather than just gaining a cursory understanding.

If you're interested in traveling with your classmates, start by doing a simple Google search: your college name + alumni travel. Once you get to the correct school page, you'll find a list of trips along with descriptions and prices. 

Northwestern University, where I attended, even offers more than one type of trip. These are the most common ones:

• Alumni Campus Abroad – moderately priced education-oriented journeys
• Deluxe Programs and Cruises – four and five start hotels and cruise ships
• Discovery/Escapades – Flexible scheduling for intependent travelers
• Grand Journeys – intensive immersion in a single destination
• International Lifestyles Explorations – four-week cultural experience to learn a language while living in apartment-style housing
• Sports-Themed Tours – three-night getaways to the Kentucky Derby, Masters Golf Tournament, and football tours for Northwestern Wildcats away games

Lastly, there's one additional benefit of traveling with a familiar alumni group to consider: I came home from Russia with a set of matryoshka dolls, an amber necklace, and a new boyfriend!

Like this article? Read more:

• Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone
• Traveling with a Friend
• Where to Vacation After a Divorce
• New Year's Resolutions for Women Travelers
• What to Do in Las Vegas: A Guide for Women Travelers
• iPhone 4s Camera Pros and Cons
• How to Get to the Airport