How A School Trip To New Orleans Can Change Your Perspective

At Wonder Voyage, we believe a school trip should go beyond textbooks and into the heart of real-world learning. In order to do that, we craft Educational Expeditions to give students meaningful encounters with culture, history, and community. One of our most impactful journeys? A school trip to New Orleans. Let’s dive into what sets this Educational Expedition apart.

Why New Orleans For A School Trip?

There is more to New Orleans than jazz and Cajun food–although those alone are reason enough to visit! NOLA’s 300-year history includes Native American, French, Spanish, Cajun, and Caribbean influences.

An Educational Expedition to New Orleans takes your team through the French Quarter, Treme, Algiers, and the swamplands to tell the story of the Big Easy through the voices of its people. With Wonder Voyage, travelers are more than tourists; they are invited guests.

The Wonder Voyage Approach To New Orleans School Trips

Wonder Voyage brings over 25 years of experience personalizing purpose-driven trips. Our Educational Expeditions focus on service-learning, cultural engagement, and spiritual reflection. The balance of adventure, history, and personal growth takes these trips beyond scripted school trips and brings them to life.

A Guide’s Reflection On His School Trip To New Orleans

Wonder Voyage Guide and small business owner Cesar Ausejo recently led an Educational Expedition to New Orleans with Wonder Voyage Executive Director Shawn Small. He said, “I’ve been doing missions for 15 years, and sometimes, it can feel routine. However, this past week, I had the opportunity to lead a Wonder Voyage trip to New Orleans, and it was a refreshing reminder of why I do this.”

He described watching Shawn interact with the students on the trip.

“It was late, just before dinner, and he was passing out colorful necklaces to the teenagers. It might have seemed like a simple gesture, but in that moment, I saw what true passion looks like—joyful, grateful, and full of wonder. He wasn’t just going through the motions; he was fully present, loving every second of it.

Watching him, I thought to myself, ‘That is passion. That is what it means to walk in the purpose God designed for you.’ I was both impressed and deeply blessed.”

Interactions with a passionate staff like this set Wonder Voyage apart from other travel organizations.

What Other Educational Expedition Locations Are Available?

If you’re not sure that New Orleans is your perfect school trip destination, also consider:

• A Civil Rights Journey: Step into the footsteps of heroes on a Wonder Voyage Civil Rights Pilgrimage through Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, or Memphis. Teams will engage with the stories of the heroic people who marched, protested, and gave their lives to challenge injustice. This pilgrimage doesn’t just recount history—it invites you to feel the weight of their struggle and be inspired to carry their legacy forward. Learn more at the blog post, Bring History To Life With A Wonder Voyage Civil Rights Tour.
• Stories from the Storm: Storms shape us. On the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S., the relentless winds and crashing waves have forged landscapes and people into testaments of resilience and beauty. Our Stories of the Storm pilgrimage invites you to dive into this reality—where faith meets adversity. Throughout the week, your team will wrestle with the question: Where is God in the storm, silence, and rebuilding?
• Greenspace – Urban Ecology: There are beautiful locations where pockets of green breathe life into the concrete jungle. On our Greenspace: Urban Ecology pilgrimage, your group will explore these vital oases, uncovering the powerful relationship between nature and urban life. As we hike city parks, serve in community gardens, and reflect in hidden green sanctuaries, we’ll rediscover how creation flourishes even amid steel and stone. This journey invites you to see God’s hand in every tree, every bird, and every blade of grass, reminding us that life and renewal thrive in unexpected places.

Wonder Voyage offers pilgrimages worldwide. If you have a theme or location in mind that is not listed here, contact us. We love to create one-of-a-kind expeditions.

What Is The Wonder Voyage Process?

Wonder Voyage has over 25 years of experience leading trips around the globe. Our staff can help you plan an Educational Expedition that meets your unique needs. To get started,

• First, complete the online registration form.
• Then, a staff member will contact you for details like the trip’s timing, budget, and theme options.
• Soon, a Voyage Coordinator will be assigned to personalize your pilgrimage to meet your needs.
• Then, you will be assigned a Voyage Guide to travel with you and be your on-the-ground expert.

Whether you choose to utilize Wonder Voyage for your school trip planning or not, we offer a free resource for trip prep. If you have questions, please contact the Wonder Voyage office online or by phone. We look forward to hearing from you!