PARENT STORY
Dealing With the Unexpected in Educational Travel
Dylan M. & Meghan M. | November 17, 2025
)
When a traveller needs help on tour, how does EF Tours show up for them?
Jason, a paramedic and firefighter from Newfoundland who travelled as a chaperone with his two sons, shares his story.
EF: Can you walk us through what happened during your educational travel experience?
Jason: It started with what we thought was a stomach bug. My eldest, Aiden, wasn’t feeling great on the bus to Florence, but we figured it was something he ate. Then the pain got worse overnight.
EF called in a doctor to the hotel, and we decided, ‘Okay, we need to go to the hospital.’ After a CAT scan, yep: appendicitis. The doctors told me he’s got to have emergency surgery, and to do that, insurance has to be figured out.
)
)
EF: How did EF Tours support you during that time?
Jason: Back home, EF’s support team was calling, emailing, texting me all throughout—I felt a bit bad, you know, in case someone else out there needed more help than us. I remember thinking, ‘Holy crap, these people care.’ They really came through in dealing with the insurance company—calling and nudging them on the phone, that kinda thing.
The surgeons were ready to roll, but they needed to hear back from the insurance. I was just going to pay it, you know, the main thing is to get him better—then I got the call from the insurance company that we’re good to go.
)
EF: What was the hospital experience like?
Jason: The care in Italy was awesome. Perfect. In Newfoundland, you might see a doctor once a day. There, they were coming in four or five times a day just to check on us.
There was a bit of language barrier with the nurses at first, but I had a translate app on my phone to help—past that though, the doctors all spoke English.
EF: Beyond the surgery, what everyday challenges did your educational trip present?
Jason: Oh, laundry. We packed for a week, carry-on only. We didn’t plan for eight extra days. I couldn’t leave the hospital to find a laundromat, but EF did try to help sort something out. Then, one of the nurses showed up with a bag and said, “Throw it all in.” They did my laundry in the hospital. Came back a few hours later—clean, folded, still warm. It was awesome.
)
)
EF: Was your younger son able to continue with the school trip?
Jason: Yeah, and that was another thing—I felt totally fine with him staying with the group. I knew he’d be safe, and EF kept in touch about everything. I had zero concerns.
EF: Looking back now, how do you and Aiden feel about it?
Jason: Aiden’s great. He talks about it like it’s just another story now. He even said, “I left a piece of myself in Rome.” He’s got a good sense of humour. I’m good too. It wasn’t a cakewalk, but I felt supported the whole way through. No regrets at all.
EF: Would you travel again with EF?
Jason: We already are. My youngest is heading into Grade 10, and we’re planning to go to Greece. I feel totally confident that even if someone was freaking out, and didn't know what to do or where to turn, that you guys would've set it straight. A hundred percent. I didn't worry about that part at all.
)
)
For Jason and his family, dedicated support turned a difficult experience into reassurance that travel is always worth it.
Safety at every step
Our teams work tirelessly to cover all the bases and help make great memories for our travellers—read on to find out how.
