Prague holds a special place in the heart of CAS Trips—not only is it our homebase, but it is also a city that embodies the spirit of exploration, learning, and connection that we strive to instill in every journey. Last month, we had the privilege of gathering our internal staff and Trip Leaders for an immersive weekend designed to put ourselves in the shoes of our student travelers. By stepping into their experience firsthand, we deepened our understanding of what makes a CAS Trip so impactful.
In many ways, this summit became our very own CAS Trips reflection—just as we encourage students to engage in meaningful reflection throughout their journeys, we took this opportunity to reflect on our own experiences as educators, mentors, and facilitators of transformative learning.
Throughout the summit, we engaged in workshops, hands-on Service projects, and cultural activities—just as students do on their own journeys. Whether navigating Prague’s historic streets, participating in Service initiatives, or collaborating in team challenges, the goal was to approach each moment with curiosity and reflection.
Walking in the Footsteps of Our Students
One of the most exciting aspects of the summit was the opportunity to explore Prague the way our students do. With guided walking tours led by experienced Trip Leaders, we wandered through the city’s winding streets, uncovering hidden historical gems and lesser-known stories that bring Prague’s rich past to life. It was a reminder that every corner of this city holds lessons—not just in history, but in perspective, culture, and the way we interact with the world around us.
One highlight was the Nový Prostor Magazine Challenge, an activity that places students directly in the shoes of individuals experiencing homelessness. By selling magazines as part of this social enterprise initiative, we experienced firsthand the resilience, determination, and human connection that come with engaging in ethical Service. The conversations sparked from this experience were deeply reflective, reinforcing the importance of global engagement and ethical decision-making, two key CAS learning outcomes.
One of our beloved Trip Leaders from the Netherlands, Annerose, shared her thoughts following the event,
“The CAS Trips trip leader summit in Prague was a fantastic opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from each other and socialise. It is great to experience how CAS Trips values their trip leaders’ feedback and invests in practical learning opportunities. We engaged in activities that the students on our trips do to step in their shoes and take away what they experience.”
Another standout experience was the Homeless Cooking Challenge, where we worked together to prepare meals for Prague’s unhoused community. Standing side by side in the kitchen, we not only honed our teamwork skills but also gained a renewed appreciation for the impact that small, tangible acts of Service can have on a community. This activity exemplified working collaboratively with others and showing perseverance and commitment, as we navigated challenges together to achieve a common goal.
Learning Outcomes: What We Gained by Experiencing Prague Like Our Students
By embracing the student perspective, we uncovered key learning moments that align with the CAS learning outcomes:
- Strength & Growth
“There is a big difference between planning and putting that plan into action. Theoretically, we can be confident about a task, but having the opportunity to actually do it makes us reflect on the real challenges students can face during the activities and helps us increase our own skills and lead the teams in more effective ways. – Beatriz Rodrigues, Operations Assistant
- Challenge & Skills
“Being based in Prague, I don’t need to think so much while navigating the city and do not notice as much anymore. I have my habits and don’t explore as much as I used to. The summit was a perfect experience to broaden my horizons and see the city through a different lens. The different workshops and services made me try new activities that were challenging and stimulating, making me more aware of my strengths and showing me new ways of doing.” – Eléanore Medard, Destination Manager
- Initiative & Planning
“Looking back, I’m really proud of how our operations team came together to plan workshops and activities for the summit. It was a great experience to be involved in both the preparation and participating in the activities ourselves. While creating opportunities for the trip leaders to practice their leadership and problem solving skills, we got to do the same. It was incredible to see everyone so engaged and excited to share their ideas. Experiencing Prague through the students’ perspective was a valuable experience for all of us, and I’m sure everyone took something meaningful away from it.” – Dominika Janovcikova, Senior Destination Manager
- Working Collaboratively with Others
“Having the entire team together was the perfect opportunity to experience the true power of collaboration—listening, adapting, and building on each other’s strengths to create something meaningful. Especially in my case, working remotely all the time, this weekend reinforced how essential teamwork is, not just in travel, but in every learning experience.” – Guilherme Antunes, Marketing and Sales Associate.
- Perseverance & Commitment
“The choices we make and the actions we take have a profound effect on our environments: personal, local, and global. The Summit reinforced that meaningful impact, whether in our work or in the world, requires sustained dedication and a willingness to follow through, even when the task is challenging. It was inspiring to see the team come together throughout the weekend to complete the different group challenges and really put themselves in the shoes of our students. It truly goes to show the commitment our team has to creating the best educational experiences for our groups.” – Michael Sekerak, Destination Manager
- Global Engagement
“Getting into students’ shoes is invaluable for us as an operations team! The time-tested Prague Service activities, led by the great OG TL team, proved that the word ‘challenges’ often truly fits.The homeless magazine sale, for example, requires students to collaborate, face homelessness in a foreign city, and engage with people from around the world while selling the issues on the streets. A key confirmation of how such initiatives spark intercultural interaction and address global issues.” – Tereza, Operations Assistant.
- Recognizing and Considering the Ethics of Choices and Actions
“When contemplating how to provide a quality CAS program that is both impactful and one that matches our mission, difficult decisions and ethical questions are inevitable. We also want to be sure that what we plan on paper matches what happens on the ground with our Trip Leaders and program partners. Our fruitful group discussions I felt truly mended these two sides of our trips at this year’s summit! The challenging, real-life scenarios opened up interesting discussions and resulted in immense overall growth.” – Sarah Paschke, Global Student Exchange Director.
Workshops, Training, and a Taste of Czech Culture
Of course, no summit would be complete without the opportunity to deepen our professional expertise. Our morning workshops covered essential topics such as emergency protocols, student safety, and best practices for fostering meaningful engagement on CAS Trips. The interactive sessions encouraged open dialogue, allowing Trip Leaders to share their own insights and experiences while refining their skills.
But learning didn’t stop in the classroom. We also embraced the creative energy of Prague with a dynamic dance workshop, where we were challenged to step outside our comfort zones and engage with movement in a way that mirrored the spontaneity and creativity we encourage in students.
The weekend also gave us time to experience Prague’s culinary culture as a group. From a traditional Czech dinner to meals prepared by a social enterprise supporting individuals with disabilities, we were reminded of how food can serve as a bridge between cultures and communities.
Bringing These Lessons Back to Our Trips
By immersing ourselves in the student travel experience, we left the summit with not just strengthened team connections but with renewed inspiration to make every CAS Trip even more transformative. We were reminded of the power of experiential learning, of what it means to truly engage with a place rather than simply pass through it. More than ever, we are committed to designing experiences that challenge, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. In the same way we encourage students to reflect on their CAS Trips journeys, we, too, took this opportunity to reflect, grow, and find new ways to make our programs even more meaningful.
We look forward to applying these insights as we continue to craft meaningful, student-centered experiences worldwide.
