THE T1WT
DIFFERENCE

What Sets Us Apart

The T1WT Difference

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.

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 β€œmust 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

β€œDialed” has a double meaning, the first of which is that, when something is dialed, especially in the travel and outdoors context, it is working well and efficiently. When someone is dialed, they are exhibiting mastery of the task at hand, including social emotional learning, skills-building, and activity-based tasks. Some examples of our travelers being dialed are developing organization systems that set them up to pack, unpack, and repack efficiently and confidence adjusting their insulin intake such that they are in-range and energized to embark on a high-activity excursion. The second is β€œdia(betic)-led.”

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, feeling and actions towards your objectives, and we have developed tools and activities that help our travelers mature as dialed leaders before, during, and after their Type 1 Way Ticket program. These engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame the group’s experiences, build skills and confidence, and prepare travelers to travel ethically, effectively, and healthily on our programs and into the future.

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

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.

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BECOME A T1WT TRAVELER