WASHINGTON (Jan. 10, 2008) — The National Geographic Society has announced a new tour program for students that takes participants to exotic counties under the guidance of the society’s writers and photographers.

National Geographic Student Expeditions are typically three weeks long, and destinations include Belize, the Caribbean, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Galápagos, India, Iceland, Ireland, Mali, Peru, Spain and Tanzania.

"We're delighted to engage the next generation of explorers and bring them into the field on National Geographic Student Expeditions," said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic's senior vice president of travel and business development. "After more than a century of exploration at National Geographic, we've developed an extensive network of resources that we use to help craft unique itineraries for fun, safe and innovative expeditions across the globe."

On each student expedition a National Geographic expert — a photographer, writer, researcher or explorer — joins the group for three to seven days of the trip. These experts will enrich the trip with their stories, knowledge, enthusiasm and insider's perspective on the region.

Each expedition is also accompanied by a team of trip leaders who are  college graduates pursuing careers in journalism, photography, filmmaking, science and other fields, with extensive knowledge of the destination and a desire to share their love of travel with students.

Each student selects an "On Assignment" project, which shapes the way they experience the destination and allows for greater participation in their surroundings. Throughout the expedition, students break into smaller groups to pursue their project with the guidance of trip leaders and National Geographic experts. "On Assignment" projects offered on the trips include photography, writing, documentary film, culture and arts, Spanish language, archaeology and ancient culture, climate and geology, wildlife and conservation, music and dance, and spiritual traditions. Projects can range from a short story to a portfolio of photographs to a documentary film or a presentation of findings from an archaeological dig.

"In crafting these expeditions, our aim has been to build in opportunities for adventure, cultural immersion and community service throughout the trip," Cutter said. On many trips, students will have an opportunity to give back to the communities they visit by participating in such service projects as helping to build a house, clearing forest trails or tutoring students in English. At the end of the trip, students will receive a community service certificate, which can be applied towards their schools' community service requirements.

National Geographic Student Expeditions offers a scholarship program providing support for students seeking educational summer experiences who could not otherwise afford them.

For more information, visit www.ngstudentexpeditions.com.

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