Debra Small Pylypiw

Travel as Education

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” — Saint Augustine

Our world is filled with infinite experiences, wonders, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I have always tried to embrace these opportunities whole-heartedly. Through travel, we see the beauty of nature in all of its splendor. We learn how we are different from the other inhabitants of the world, and more importantly, how we are similar. We also learn that while we are each important, we are but small cogs in the machine of life.

These experiences are especially important for students. Throughout my career as an art educator, I have tried to create interesting travel opportunities for students. In return, I have learned right alongside of them.

One memory specifically stands out - After dinner, in a small town in Switzerland, I walked with a few students to a churchyard sitting at the top of a hill overlooking the town. We sat and watched the townspeople below who were going about the business of their daily lives - shopping, practicing soccer, visiting friends. A young man turned to me with a somewhat amazed expression on his face as he commented, "Those people do not seem to be concerned at all with America!" It was a valuable learning moment for him as he discovered that his own self-centered view of the world was not as accurate as he had assumed.

Student Trips Led to Europe

• June 2017, efTours: "The Britannia - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland", 14 days, London, Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath, Glastonbury, Cheddar Gorge, Wells, Oxford, Edinburgh, Windsor, Holyhead, Dublin, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Killarney

• June 2016, efTours: "Italy and Spain", 12 days, Madrid, Toledo, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri

• June 2014, efTours: "European Showcase", 20 days, London, Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Meteora, Delphi, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Crete, Santorini

• June 2013, efTours: "Central European Quartet", 15 days, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Dachau, Munich, Modlareuth, Berlin. I planned and led a separate extension to London and Paris.

• June 2011, efTours: "Splendors of the Mediterranean", 15 days, Milan, Vienna, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Meteora, Argolida, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Athens.

• June 2009, efTours: "European Carousel", 18 days, Amsterdam, Volendam, Heidelberg, Munich, Dachau, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona, Lucerne, Burgundy, Paris, London, Windsor, Edinburgh

• June 2007, efTours: London, Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford, Canterbury, Paris, Chartres, Chenonceau, Versailles, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri

• June 2005, efTours: "European Showcase", 20 days, London, Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Meteora, Delphi, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes

• June 2003, efTours: "Europe at Leisure", 20 days, London, Canterbury, Calais, Paris, Versailles, Lucerne, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Venice, Innsbruck, Oberamergau, Munich, Dachau.

• June 2001, efTours: "European Capitals", 23 days, London, Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne, Dijon, Paris, Madrid

• June 1999, efTours: "European Showcase", 20 days, London, Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Meteora, Delphi, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes

Student Trips Led to New york city

• Bus trips from North Carolina to New York City, 4 days, 3 nights each:

• 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2015

Other Student Trips LED

Personal Travel