THE T1WT
DIFFERENCE
What Sets Us Apart
WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE, BUT FOR
LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US
We recognize both the tremendous impact that international travel has on shaping the lives of young people and the nuances of traveling with diabetes by designing itineraries that inspire travelers to see themselves and the places they visit in a new and exciting light.
Our programs are more than trips — they’re immersive learning experiences that cultivate the durable skills needed to lead a full, empowered life with diabetes and to thrive in future academic and career pathways. Research shows that 3 in 4 U.S. job postings now require durable (soft) skills, 70% of the workforce lacks them, and 8 of the 10 skills employers most want—like communication, adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving—are the very ones strengthened through experiential learning.
For teens managing Type 1 diabetes, these aren’t abstract skills — they’re daily life skills. Every blood sugar check, site change, and travel decision is an act of self-leadership, critical thinking, and self-advocacy. Our programs are designed to help travelers name, strengthen, and apply those same competencies through adventure, cultural exchange, and reflection — building habits that support lifelong diabetes management, academic success, and career readiness.
We believe several factors set us apart:
OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH ITINERARIES
Type 1 Way Ticket is not another generic tourism company. Our one-of-a-kind itineraries follow sustainable travel guidelines and offer off-the-beaten path experiences with in-country partners with whom we've developed relationships over many years and trained on working with T1D youth. While we certainly visit the “must see” locations, we also offer our travelers opportunities to see places and meet people they otherwise likely wouldn’t. As such, our travelers have unparalleled access and insight into authentic culture, customs, practices, and global issues from local perspectives.
PRE-PROGRAM SUPPORT
Unlike other travel programs, where you meet the group and leaders for the first time on day one and begin orientation in-country, enrollment in a Type 1 Way Ticket program encompasses high-touch pre-program support to help families emotionally and logistically prepare for their adventures. Through our Dialed Leadership Development curriculum’s digital content, group Q&As, and optional 1:1 coaching, we meet each family where they are and empower teens to hit the ground running on arrival so that they can maximize their experiences abroad.
DIALED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
“Dialed” has a double meaning. The first is that, when something is dialed, especially in the travel and outdoors context, it’s working well and efficiently. When someone is dialed, they’re exhibiting mastery — in social-emotional learning, skills-building, and real-world tasks alike. Some examples of our travelers being dialed are developing organization systems that set them up to pack, unpack, and repack efficiently, or confidently adjusting their insulin intake so they’re in-range and energized for a high-activity excursion. The second meaning: dia(betic)-led — a nod to our travelers’ shared lived experience and innate leadership acumen.
Our proprietary Dialed Leadership Development curriculum is designed by and for T1D travelers. We know that a core component of both leadership and health management is self-leadership — the practice of intentionally influencing your thinking, feelings, and actions toward your goals. Our tools and activities help travelers strengthen that self-leadership before, during, and after their Type 1 Way Ticket program.
These experiences don’t just make teens and young adults more confident travelers — they help them become more capable humans. The same durable skills that enable someone to lead a full, independent life with diabetes — adaptability, problem solving, perseverance, communication, and emotional regulation — are the ones that open doors to future academic success and career opportunities. Every Type 1 Way Ticket program intentionally cultivates them.
Our Dialed curriculum builds a bridge between diabetes management and durable skills development. Travelers learn to:
Plan and prepare intentionally — managing supplies and blood sugars while traveling translates directly into executive functioning, organization, and forward planning.
Think critically under pressure — troubleshooting a pump issue mid-hike mirrors the same analytical thinking used in academics and the workplace.
Communicate and self-advocate — articulating needs to peers, guides, or restaurant staff is real-world practice in communication, negotiation, and confidence.
Collaborate cross-culturally — learning to navigate language and customs builds empathy, curiosity, and global awareness.
Reflect and self-assess — nightly Circles and guided reflection cultivate the mindfulness and metacognition proven to strengthen both diabetes outcomes and learning retention.
Dialed Leadership Development Learning Objectives
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS
CURIOSITY
OPEN-MINDEDNESS
EMPATHY
PERSEVERANCE
PERSONAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SELF AND GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
CONFIDENCE
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
SELF-ADVOCACY & AWARENESS
IDENTITY DISCOVERY
CULTURAL WORLDVIEW FRAMEWORKS
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS
CURIOSITY
OPEN-MINDEDNESS
EMPATHY
PERSEVERANCE
PERSONAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SELF AND GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
CONFIDENCE
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
SELF-ADVOCACY & AWARENESS
IDENTITY DISCOVERY
CULTURAL WORLDVIEW FRAMEWORKS
Each of these competencies is integral to managing diabetes — and equally essential for thriving in school, college, and professional life. By helping travelers connect those dots, Type 1 Way Ticket turns every adventure into a platform for lifelong growth.
Our Dialed Leadership Development curriculum is divided into three sections: Pre-Program (before travelers depart on their program), In-Country (during the program), and Post-Program (after travelers return).
Pre-Program
Our pre-program activities are designed to guide travelers and families to think intentionally about their worries and excitements and to prepare emotionally and logistically for the adventures ahead. As part of our pre-program Dialed Leadership Development, families may opt-in to up to 3 1:1 coaching sessions for further individualized support. We ask that parents opt-in to no more than 2 of these sessions with their teen in order to give travelers space to independently goal set in tandem with their program leaders.
In-Country
Throughout their program, travelers engage in a series of orientations, discussions, activities, and reflections to help them prepare for activities, conquer their fears, reflect on their learning and growth, and build health management, independence, and leadership skills. Our nightly Circle tradition creates a space for each program community to come together for open sharing about their experiences–with diabetes, on-program, and in life–and enables travelers to foster deep friendships that transcend the duration of the program.
Post-Program
Travelers often need support and guidance after they return home from their program in order to process their time abroad and translate their new skills and perspectives into life back home. We provide post-program activities and an optional 1:1 coaching session that promote travelers’ reflection and transference. We also include important resources for parents that help them understand their child’s experiences abroad and support them in adjusting to life back home.
EXPERT T1D PROGRAM LEADERS
Our program leaders aren’t your typical tour guides who show you a place and otherwise leave you be. They are mentors, coaches, role models, advocates, and travel experts who have rich lived experience traveling with T1D and passion for helping T1D teens discover the world. Our program leaders are with the groups 100% of the time and participate in all activities alongside our travelers, giving travelers ample support and opportunities to learn and grow.
FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION
We recognize the financial weight of diabetes healthcare, especially for travelers coming from the United States, and strive to make our programs accessible. The impact of an immersive educational travel experience extends far beyond the program itself and builds travelers’ confidence for life, and we believe any motivated young person–regardless of their family’s financial situation–should have the opportunity to discover their limitlessness abroad with diabetes. As such, we offer two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan and need-based travel scholarships.
For every 20 travelers we enroll, we are able to offer one full scholarship to a deserving T1D teen. Partial scholarships are available on a limited basis as we actively raise our scholarship fund. We are also happy to help families devise community crowdfunding and other fundraiser strategies. Please contact us for more information.