Why We Still Travel: EPI’s Commitment to Safety, Science, and the World

If you are a teacher considering whether to bring students abroad, you’ve probably felt the weight of that decision now more than ever. Shifting U.S. travel advisories, international tensions, and a news cycle that never slows down. These are very real issues that deserve real acknowledgement.

At Ecology Project International, these questions are always at the forefront of our minds: Should we travel right now? Are we taking every precaution? Is it worth the hassle?

We believe the answer is yes, and we want to show you why. 

Values That Drive Everything:

EPI was founded on a simple vision: that young people, given the chance to work alongside scientists in wild places, will fall in love with the natural world and be moved to protect it. That idea hasn’t changed in 25 years. What has changed is our depth of experience, our infrastructure, and our understanding of what it means to deliver that vision. 

Despite all the uncertainty in the world, EPI remains dedicated to providing transformative experiences for students. Risk management is how we continue to do this – it is the foundation that everything is built on. In order for our courses to transform, students must feel safe. In order for them to inspire, students must feel supported and cared for.

Now more than ever, we must deliver experiences that bring students out of their comfort zones, that introduce them to new concepts and cultures, that instill personal agency and confidence. In a world that so often tells us to stay put, there is quiet rebellion in seeking new horizons. 

How We Manage Risk In Practice:

EPI has safely delivered programs for thousands of students, teachers, and families for over two decades. That track record is not built by winging it, but by relying on systems that are designed, tested, and continually improved. Here’s how it works: 

Programs are built with safety at the center. Every activity on an EPI program has been pre-approved by program staff. For higher-risk activities, we partner with vetted professional outfitters who have excellent safety records. All third-party vendors (transportation, lodging, food services) are thoroughly reviewed and approved before we ever bring students to them. 

Our instructors are trained and experienced. Every program runs with a minimum of two instructors. We hire educators with first-aid certifications and real experience managing groups in outdoor environments. We also provide on-site, program specific training before every course. Instructors set clear behavioral expectations from day one because we know that when everyone understands their role, the whole group is safer.

We have emergency support behind the scenes, around the clock. EPI maintains full-time risk management staff both domestically and internationally. Duty officers are on-call 24 hours a day while participants are in the field and during travel to and from our program sites. Our medical protocols and emergency action plans are site-specific and developed in partnership with a U.S.-based physician and a wilderness medical advisor. If something happens, we are ready. 

Safety starts months before the course. Students arrive at our programs having completed thorough medical reviews and pre-departure environmental briefings with our staff. Before welcoming each group at the airport, our instructors have prepared for each student’s individual needs and considerations. 

We monitor the world, and act on what we learn. EPI continuously monitors U.S. State Department travel advisories, local conditions, and geopolitical developments for every destination we operate in or near. We have international staff who live and work in our program sites, and they observe and report conditions firsthand. When risk levels rise in a way that we believe would compromise participant safety, we modify or cancel programs. The wellbeing of our participants is the first and final consideration. 

Don't Just Take Our Word for It. Here's What Teachers Who Traveled With Us This Past Year Had to Say

What moments during the trip made you feel confident you made the right decision to travel?

“When we arrived and sat to have a conversation with the EPI instructors and realized how incredibly thorough, well informed, and completely prepared they were for our students.” - Tammy DeLeonardo, JERFSA, 2026 Baja Course

“Arriving into the “arms” of EPI staff at airports or arriving at housing areas often create the first impression of care. Starting with kindness and being “intentionally inviting” really sets the standard. I felt this from all EPI staff on the two trips (1 teacher and 1 school group)!” - Laura Jim, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, 2026 Galapagos Course

Overall, how safe did you feel during your travels and on course with us? 

“I felt extremely safe during the entire course in Costa Rica. From our hotel to our stays at Pacuare and Tirimbina, I felt completely at ease. We stayed in secure areas with EPI staff always around to assist if you needed anything.  I honestly never once felt unsafe during the course.  Costa Rica is a tranquil place known for its hospitality and warmth that goes beyond the transactional; the people here are truly kind and grateful for those who come to admire, enjoy, and experience their beautiful country.”  - Shay Culbertson 2026 Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship

How did the overall atmosphere at your destination feel (busy, cautious, back to normal, etc.)?

“The atmosphere at our hotel in San Jose felt safe and comfortable. Pacuare felt so relaxed and isolated (but also safe!). All of our road travel felt normal. Our last destination (Tirimbina) also felt nice and relaxed, comfortable, and safe despite being isolated.” - Julie Riederer, Lyons Township High School, Spring 2026 CR Course

“The atmosphere felt welcoming, organized, and well planned. It was neither too busy nor too much of "do nothing". It was definitely well balanced.” -Tammy DeLeonardo, JERFSA, 2026 Baja Course

What practices, habits, and systems helped you and your group feel prepared and supported throughout the trip?

“The pre-travel meeting was helpful. The ever-present availability of the leaders was reassuring. I never felt unsupported and always could get fast help when needed.” - Stacy Kunst, Kennedy Catholic High School, 2026 Costa Rica

“EPI did an excellent job preparing us for our trip. Having group meetings leading up to the trip, having room assignments and 'buddy systems' ahead of time also really helped us to feel prepared.” - Patrick Murphy, Hellgate High School, Fall 2025 CR Course

How did students respond to being able to travel–did it feel different from past trips?

“It was good for them to hear some of the things going on in other countries, too, and to see that conservation work happens regardless of politics. It is more important than ever for students to be exposed to the global community. This builds empathy and understanding but also the capacity to realize that despite the chaotic and sometimes dark looking state of the world, there is still beauty and good work happening all over! My students are from rural Vermont and it is so important for them to see and experience other cultures and people!”- Rebecca Allen, BBA CR 2026

“ This was my first trip with EPI but I didn't have any students express any concerns about their safety.” - Julie Riederer, Lyons Township High School, Spring 2026 CR Course

Dedicated to the Work (and to the World):

We are dedicated to managing risk at the highest level so that transformative experiences for students remain possible. We are committed to showing students that the natural world is worth knowing and worth protecting. And we are dedicated to the idea that travel, while inherently risky, is one of the most powerful tools we have for building the kind of global citizens this moment demands. We do our part by planning and preparing thoughtfully and thoroughly.

The world is uncertain and always will be. That is why EPI has always striven to foster tomorrow’s leaders through place-based inquiry.  EPI students hold leatherback hatchlings and track wolves across a Yellowstone valley; they push themselves beyond the familiar and the easy; and they discover something that no amount of uncertainty can take away – themselves. 

We’d love to help you and your students find that. 

Ready to learn more? Browse our Travel Programs, or get in touch with our team.