About Us

Student Service Travel’s journey began long before its official founding in 2016. The roots of the company are deeply tied to the passion and experience of its founders, Becky and Ben.

Becky’s journey into leading student trips began in 2010, when she started guiding travel experiences with a core focus on service, cultural immersion, and language learning. Over the years, she traveled with students to diverse locations, including Europe, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica. Each of these trips deepened her commitment to creating travel experiences that not only exposed students to new environments but also empowered them to make a positive impact in the communities they visited.

At the same time, Ben’s travels led him to Ecuador, where he fell in love with the country’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. This deep connection prompted him to build a rafting company with friends, tapping into the adventure tourism industry while sharing his love for Ecuador with others.

In 2015, Ben and Becky’s paths crossed, and together they combined their expertise to craft their first collaborative student trip to Ecuador. This trip marked the beginning of what would become Student Service Travel. Their diverse backgrounds—Becky’s experience with educational travel and Ben’s entrepreneurial adventure spirit—created a unique blend that allowed them to offer transformative, hands-on experiences for students.

Since then, the company’s reach has expanded significantly. Student Service Travel has now partnered with multiple Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and brought students to not only Ecuador, but also Peru, Costa Rica, and Spain. Each destination has been chosen with the same emphasis on fostering meaningful relationships and cultural exchange, ensuring that every trip provides students with an immersive and impactful experience.

In 2025, Student Service Travel took a significant step forward with the launch of its first adapted trip for students with special needs, ensuring that the transformative power of travel is accessible to every student. And in 2026, the company is set to expand its horizons even further with the addition of Guatemala to its growing list of destinations.

Student Service Travel was born out of a shared belief in the power of travel to shape and inspire young minds, create lasting relationships, and promote empathy and understanding.  The company continues to grow by creating enriching, inclusive, and impactful experiences for students.

Long-Standing Relationships with Host Communities

We’ve built strong, lasting partnerships with the communities and service providers we work alongside. Over time, this has grown into mutual trust and confidence, ensuring our presence is not only welcome but also truly beneficial to local people.

Direct Engagement with Local Communities & Businesses

From the earliest planning stages, we communicate directly with community members, local organizations, lodging providers, and restaurants. This ensures that our trips:

✔ Support local businesses and contribute to the local economy.

✔ Are tailored to the needs of both our students and the host communities.

Flexible Itineraries for a Personalized Experience

Our sample itineraries (see FAQs) outline a structured yet adaptable schedule. We understand that unexpected changes can happen, so rather than canceling activities, we adjust and rework plans to ensure students get the most out of every experience. This flexibility helps make traveling with a group of 24+ people feel more personal and seamless.

Pre-Trip Meetings for Team Building & Preparation

For many students, this may be their first time traveling abroad or without family. To ease any anxieties and create a sense of community before departure, we organize:

• Pre-trip meetings to prepare students and build teamwork.

• A Bon Voyage Potluck Party, where students can bond before the trip and parents can ask questions while connecting with one another.

By fostering relationships before, during, and after the trip, we ensure that each student’s experience is transformative, educational, and deeply impactful—both for them and the communities they serve.