What WorldStrides does

WorldStrides, legally Lakeland Tours, LLC, is the largest U.S.-based accredited educational travel organization, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company designs and delivers structured travel experiences for three primary segments: K-12 teacher-led group programs (history, STEM, performing arts, sports, language immersion), K-12 individual programs (Envision career exploration, Oxbridge Academic Programs, Honors Performance Series), and Higher Education study abroad and faculty-led custom programs. Its portfolio spans programs delivered in 120+ countries, supported by staffed offices in 40+ countries and 100+ international university hosting partnerships, with owned-and-operated facilities under the WorldStrides Global Campus brand in select international cities.

The underlying operating platform combines a Sitecore-based web presence, a licensed itinerary planning tool from Travefy, Inc., proprietary Student and Advisor portals, the WorldStrides and WorldStrides Connections mobile apps, and a 24/7 WorldAssist health-and-safety command center staffed in coordination with GW Medical Faculty Associates, AXA Behavioral Health, and Exlog. The trademarked LEAP (Learning through Exploration and Active Participation) framework and Choose Earth sustainability program are embedded across K-12 offerings. WorldStrides holds B Corp certification, is a USTOA Active Member posting a $1M consumer protection bond, and maintains multiple state Seller of Travel registrations.

The company makes money primarily through per-student program fees for K-12 group travel (priced via registration and quoted individually), tuition-style fees for individual K-12 programs, and Higher Education semester/summer program fees ranging from approximately $4,995 to $18,450, with auxiliary revenue from festival and performance events. Go-to-market combines field sales targeting K-12 educators, inside sales teams segmented by program type, direct-to-consumer digital channels, and channel partnerships with university study-abroad offices. The company employs 501-1,000 people, holds an extensive portfolio of acquired brands (Envision, Explorica, ISA, Oxbridge, Brightspark, Jumpstreet, Heritage Education & Festivals, Casterbridge), and is led by CEO David Kirchhoff with Robert Gogel as Chairman.

Name

WorldStrides

Legal name

Lakeland Tours, LLC

Website

https://worldstrides.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

WorldStrides is the largest U.S. accredited educational travel company, delivering K-12 teacher-led group programs, K-12 individual experiences (Envision, Oxbridge, Honors Performance Series), and Higher Education study abroad programs across 120+ countries with offices in 40+ countries and 100+ university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student & Youth Educational Tours (THAKAGAA), University & College Study Tours (THAKAGAC), Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ), On-Ground Orientation, Travel, Transfers & Logistics Support (EDAIAHAL)

Keywords

• Educational travel programs
• Study abroad programs
• Student group tours
• Career exploration programs
• K-12 travel services

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. K-12 Group Program Fees: Program fees charged to school groups for teacher-led educational travel tours. Fees cover transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, Tour Director services, and academic components. Priced per student participant with group minimums typically required.
2. K-12 Individual Program Fees: Tuition-style fees for individual student programs including Envision by WorldStrides career exploration, Oxbridge Academic Programs, and Honors Performance Series. Programs range from multi-day residential experiences to week-long immersives at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House.
3. Higher Education Semester and Summer Programs: Semester and summer study abroad program fees ranging from approximately $4,995 to $18,450 depending on destination, duration, and host institution. Programs include study abroad, internships, research, and custom faculty-led programs at universities worldwide.
4. Academic Credit and Professional Development Credit: Students can earn transferable high school and college credit through WorldStrides programs. Educators partnering with WorldStrides can earn CEU/PD credit for professional development.
5. Festival and Performance Event Fees: Fees for participation in competitive festivals and performance events including WorldStrides OnStage Heritage Festival, Festival at Carnegie Hall, Festival of Gold, bowl game marching band performances, and international performance tours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

WorldStrides organizes and delivers accredited educational travel programs for K-12 and higher education students, including teacher-led group tours, individual student career exploration and performance programs (Envision, Oxbridge, Honors Performance Series), and university study abroad/ internships/ faculty-led custom programs at 100+ international university partners. Programs include transportation, accommodation, meals, Tour Director services, academic components, and 24/7 health and safety support via the WorldAssist command center, with academic credit available.

Product overview

WorldStrides is an educational travel company offering a portfolio of programs under a unified platform spanning K-12 Group Programs (teacher-led tours), K-12 Individual Experiences (via Envision by WorldStrides, Oxbridge Academic Programs, and Honors Performance Series), and Higher Education Programs (study abroad, internships, research, and custom faculty-led programs). The portfolio is held together by shared infrastructure including the LEAP educational philosophy for K-12 offerings, the WorldAssist 24/7 safety command center, and the Student/Advisor Portal platforms. WorldStrides Global Campus represents its own-operated facilities in select international cities. The company has grown through acquisitions including Envision, Explorica, Oxbridge Academic Resources, and International Studies Abroad (ISA), all now operating under the WorldStrides umbrella.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Envision by WorldStrides: High-achieving students in grades 3-12 explore their passions outside of the classroom as they explore a potential future career in medicine, STEM, business, government, or veterinary science.
• Oxbridge Academic Programs
• Honors Performance Series

Products and services

• K-12 Group Programs Teacher-led educational travel programs for K-12 students, sports teams, and performance ensembles. Programs span destinations across the U.S. & Canada, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Middle East & Africa, covering history, STEM, performing arts, sports, language immersion, religious studies, and community engagement.
• Envision by WorldStrides Career exploration programs for high-achieving students in grades 3-12, offering immersive experiences in medicine, STEM, business, government, and veterinary science. Programs include multi-day residential experiences and week-long immersives.
• Oxbridge Academic Programs Summer academic programs for middle and high school students held in Oxford, Cambridge, Barcelona, New York, and Paris, allowing participants to explore subjects of interest while living in cultural centers.
• Honors Performance Series Performance programs for talented young musicians offering opportunities to perform at iconic venues including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
• Higher Education Programs Study abroad, internship, research, community engagement, and faculty-led custom programs for university students and faculty. Includes partnerships with international universities in over 50 cities across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific. Semester programs range from $11,995 to $18,450; summer programs from $4,995 to $8,950.
• WorldStrides OnStage Heritage Festival Signature competitive music festival for student ensembles with heritage-themed performances, including the annual WorldStrides OnStage Heritage Festival.
• Festival at Carnegie Hall Competitive performance festival offering student ensembles the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of the Honors Performance Series.
• WorldStrides Sports Programs Student group travel programs for sports teams including international soccer matches and other competitive athletic tours for K-12 and college teams.
• WorldStrides Global Campus Owned and operated campus facilities in international cities such as Seville, Spain, providing semester and summer study abroad experiences with WorldStrides staff on-site.
• Faculty-Led Custom Programs Short-term, group programs led by university professors that can be customized by destination, duration, and curriculum. Students can apply for funding and scholarships.
• Explorica by WorldStrides Educational travel programs for schools operated through the Explorica brand, serving both U.S. and Canadian teachers and participants traveling internationally.
• Brightspark by WorldStrides Educational travel programs for schools operated through the Brightspark brand, serving U.S. and Canadian schools.
• International Studies Abroad (ISA) Study abroad programs operated under the ISA brand within the WorldStrides Higher Education portfolio, offering semester and short-term programs at international universities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 million students have experienced life-changing educational travel since 1964
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The George Washington University Medical Faculty AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership providing 24/7 access to medical care for all traveling participants through telehealth consultation. Medical professionals evaluate health concerns and recommend treatment, enabling WorldStrides to offer comprehensive health support across all programs worldwide.
• ExlogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational private security company partnership for safety monitoring. WorldStrides partners with Exlog to carefully monitor updates and travel recommendations issued by the State Department and CDC to inform safety decisions for all destinations.
• AXA Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing telehealth access to mental health professionals from anywhere in the world for traveling participants, supporting the holistic well-being of students on programs.
• Fill it ForwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partnership to engage WorldStrides team members and participants in waste reduction practices through the Fill it Forward program, supporting environmental responsibility initiatives.
• CarbonzerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldStrides Canada partnership with Carbonzero to offset air and land travel emissions for participants, supporting the company's Choose Earth sustainability commitments.
• Yamanashi Gakuin UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese university hosting WorldStrides semester programs in Kofu, approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo. Students immerse in Japanese culture and academics at this scenic location.
• Charles UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the world's oldest universities in Prague hosting WorldStrides semester programs examining European history, culture, and politics. Located in a city where medieval architecture and modern life blend seamlessly.
• Maynooth UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIrish university hosting WorldStrides J-Term programs immersing students in Irish artistic and cultural heritage during winter breaks.
• Juntendo UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTokyo university hosting summer Health Studies programs with hands-on fieldwork in both urban and rural Japanese communities, exploring health, community design, and cultural exchange.
• Universidad Politécnica de ValenciacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish university hosting STEM programs where students take courses in English while advancing Spanish language skills in Valencia, one of Spain's most vibrant coastal cities.
• Murdoch UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian university in Perth hosting summer Tropical Marine Biology programs with hands-on experience exploring Australia's stunning coastline and marine ecosystems.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EF Education First: Global leader in educational travel and language learning, offering K-12 group tours, study abroad, and cultural exchange programs. Directly comparable to WorldStrides across multiple product lines including faculty-led and individual student travel.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Major nonprofit provider of study abroad programs for university students, including semester, summer, and faculty-led programs. Directly competes with WorldStrides Higher Education segment for university partnerships and student enrollment.
• ISA (International Studies Abroad): Study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and internship programs across multiple countries. Now a WorldStrides subsidiary but historically a direct competitor in the Higher Ed study abroad market.
• API (Academic Programs International): Study abroad program provider for university students offering programs in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Directly competes with WorldStrides Higher Education division for university partnerships and student enrollment.
• CAPA The Global Education Network: Provider of study abroad and global learning programs at university centers worldwide. Competes directly with WorldStrides Higher Education for faculty-led custom programs and semester/summer enrollments.
• ACIS (American Council for International Studies): Provider of educational travel programs for middle and high school students, including teacher-led group tours domestically and internationally. Directly comparable to WorldStrides' K-12 Group Programs segment.
• Explorica: Educational travel provider specializing in teacher-led group tours for K-12 students. Now operates as a WorldStrides subsidiary but historically a direct competitor in the K-12 group travel market.
• Brightspark Travel: Provider of student group travel experiences including educational and performance tours across North America. Now a WorldStrides subsidiary but operates as a competing brand in the K-12 segment.
• Putney Student Travel: Provider of community service learning and educational travel programs for middle and high school students. Directly comparable to WorldStrides' K-12 individual programs with similar experiential and service-learning focus.

Broad incumbents

• National Geographic Student Expeditions: Premium student travel programs operated under the National Geographic brand, offering K-12 and university travel experiences. Competes with WorldStrides' premium and individual student offerings through the broader National Geographic portfolio and brand equity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/worldstrides
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@worldstrides
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldstrides
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/worldstrides
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldstrides

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A6 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WorldStrides