Would you allow your children go on a field trip to a foreign country?

My daughter went to Mainz, Germany when she was 4th year in college ( in 2003)for a world cup competition along with a few students representing our university and some mentors. She was out of the country for about a week; came home alone because her group opted to grab the package tour in some European countries, while she had to come home because she had to prepare for the Nursing Board Exams and could not stay that long. We were of course worried and all. We prayed a lot for her safety, and happily, she made it without much hassle, even if she brought along some equipment from the competition. Looking back, I'm happy we agreed to let her go because it opened a lot of opportunities and new perspectives for her. But the catch is, fare was free; we only prepared for her pocket money. I guess we could not afford the fare had we shouldered it. So your sister's decision not to allow your niece to go to Spain was valid and understandable. With the crisis today, I guess parents now are wiser to choose which expense is necessary and which is not.

Why not if an adult can accompany her in the trip. But if it's very expensive then I would not allow it. If I can accompany here and the expenses is free, that will be fine.lol.

As for me i would allow my children to go for trips oversea.This is a good exposure for them to see the world better and get to expand their knowledge.Why keeping our children from seeing the world and the beauty and the treasures of each place.When children are still young and not binded by the commitment to work yet,let them travel as many as they want.As it is for educational purposes, why stop children from learning because they are meant to learn when they are young.

Yes I would love to send my children on a field trip to a foreign country. Unfortunately, when I was a child, I was not allowed by my parents to go on a field trip but now I have the facilities and money but my children are not wishing to go on a field trip to a foreign country. I wish I send them to some o the foreign countries soon.

Not No But Heck No! I would have a heart attack worrying about my child everyday. With the way children are being kidnapped left and right nowadays I would not be able to sleep the entire time they were gone. There is also no way I could afford to send my children to Spain. I would have to be with them; I just could not handle it.

Im still 19, so i dont have a child or my own family. But i wanna speak the side of the one who is asking for permission. If my parents have the budget for that field trip. Then i dont have to worry about that thing. But since im from a conservative family. And our family is not that big. So we are really close to each and everyone. In my case, it wont be easy for my to have their approval. Well, but i can still do something and promise that i will be responsible enough for myself so i wont make them worried all the time if im away or if they gonna let me. for me, having that field trip, inside or outside of your country will be great experience for everyone. It helps you to discover many things and a have fun. But still we are the responsible for our actions and just know the limitations.

Sure I would, if I was allowed to go along. It is impossible for a teacher or teachers to keep their eye's on each and every student. Things can happen...and kids tend to take advantage of unsupervised opportunities and try things that they think they can get away with. And if they are in a foreign country, that can lead to situations that have no quick fixes...worst case scenario...resulting in imprisonment. And on the other side of that token I recently seen this movie named 'Taken' and it reminded me that their are really some heartless, soulless and dark individuals who roam this planet. Children and young adults can easily be and are snatched and auctioned off, as though they were less than cattle. Personally, I don't think anyone should travel alone in regions with a questionable history...and if you must...travel with a group.

I would be worried, but if it is organised by the school then yes I would let my child go if I could afford to pay for it. I think that there comes a time when you have to let your children grow up and do their own thing. You have to accept them as an adult.

Sorry, no. There's just too many things that can go wrong. Also if for some reason your child (even a teenager) went missing, it would be a nightmare trying to get something done about it from another country...it's hard enough in your own country but some other country would be worse. Also I'm a firm believer that kids should earn money to pay for special things that they want...it makes them appreciate it more. I know a teen girl that just wanted to go to Branson with her class, she was told if she earned half the money she could go. She threw a fit b/c she didn't want to have to earn it...obviously she didn't want to go all that bad. She got her own way and went anyways, but she didn't earn it. I think there's plenty of things in this country that kids can go to, have a good time and learn something too...it doesn't involve going to another country. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

There are certainly factors to consider. If I felt it was safe and managed efficiently, I would. The opportunity is too precious to waste. Big group tours are usually considerably less expensive than a normal family trip abroad. I'd probably offer to be a guardian if I could afford it. :)

I don't have kids so maybe the opinion I put forward now might change if I did. But I think I would allow my children to go yes, depending on how old they were. I'd say older than 11 years would be okay. I remember when I was younger and at school we had a foreign trip away and it was great. Learnt quite a bit about how to look after myself actually and it turned out to be a great and fun experience for me.

I turned 13 in Madrid Spain because my school took any child that could raise the money for it. I was in 7th grade. 52: 11, 12, and 13 year olds with 50 adults, parents and other teachers. It was the coolest thing I have ever done in my life. I may never again leave the US but I have been to London, Paris, and Madrid. It is safe, there are tour groups that take care of everything. It is so very worth it and if the parents can earn the money to go they will often let them go too.

If my children were completely responsible and were very trusted. If you've had communication problems lately then, no. If your child has been organized, responsible, and very trustworthy over the past few years then sure, why not? Maybe you should speak with the Spanish teacher to confirm her responsibilities. If the Spanish teacher sounds irresponsible then the guardian of the trip is going to be irresponsible. Discuss this with your niece.

Yes i would allow to have a world experience

No I don't have any Kids but if I did I wouldn't let them go, unless they were about 16 or 17. At least they have more sense to know about different things that they see and hear.

NO...my son will be 10 this July and his school had arranged for weekend picnics to the beach or the wildlife sanctuaries once or twice...I never agreed to let him go. Though it created a lot of problems for the time being, I stuck to my decision. Money is definitely a factor but with so many children going and so few teachers to escort them, I am not comfortable about letting my son go, where he will have to look after himself 24hrs. And you know how kids are...its but natural for them to forget the dos and donts once they are out of earshot...so I wont take any chances...once something happens, I'll be the worst hit. Your sister took the correct decision.

Yes I would let my children go my 12 year old daughter is going away with her school next month to France and I do not have a problem with it. It was a trip that my two eldest sons have already been on when they where my daughters age and they had no problems and got back home safely. But then everyone feels different when it comes down to it, it is up to the parents and you have to respect their wishes for their child.

Yes i would definitely let my children go on a field trip to a foreign country because I think, believe it or not, they will not only learn about other peoples culture but they will also learn more about themselves and be able to appreciate their own culture at the same time. Unfortunately in this case, her parents felt she shouldn't go without parental supervision but the truth is sometimes you must let them go and learn on their own. This is the way children become independent. If the reason they didn't let her go was because of financial issues, than that's another issue. As parents we need to let our children become alittle bit more independent as they get older. If not, then they'll never grow up and I believe that's really not right. How do you want them to be adults if your trying to hold them back. Perhaps they could have suggested her getting a part-time job so she can raise her own money and go on the trip. Traveling is fantastic.!

My answer will be definitely a huge YES! If the school takes full responsible and manage all the A-Z programs, why not give some exposure to my child?! I may not have brought her to a trip like that in future, why should she miss such an opportunity? Furthermore,these types of field trip is the ones which make a young child more bold and experienced learning the culture and developement of the place they visit!

Heck no! Havent you seen the movie "Taken"?? Unless I could go with my kid, they can't go. I'm not going to trust some half-wit teacher to take care of my kid. Plus that teacher is busy watching a bunch of other kids. The world is in turmoil right now, and they really dont like Americans.