Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/129419
T R AV E L SWAP HOMES WITH A TEACHER ABROAD Christine Remedios traveled abroad seven times in the last 10 years and never paid for lodging. That's because the Thornton Junior High School French teacher swaps homes with other teachers. The switcheroo is fantastique, says the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association member, whose favorite destinations include France and Quebec. For nominal membership fees, she can log on to websites that provide access to individuals in foreign countries willing to exchange homes. Her favorite, www.echangedemaison.com, is not just for educators but for anyone interested in a home exchange. "You can peruse listings and see pictures of homes," says Remedios, who lives near San Francisco. "Then you establish contact with people who want to come to the Bay Area. It works great; no money is exchanged." Is she worried about strangers staying in her house? "We've never had a problem. Teachers tend to be responsible people. We're also in their home. We respect each other's property. It's like the Golden Rule. We've even exchanged cars." Exchanges are usually for a period of three weeks. Typically, she meets the family before the exchange takes place, at her home or theirs. The departing family is often driven to the airport by the arriving family. "That way, you know who you are dealing with," she explains, adding that on occasion, she and her husband brought their dog to France (no quarantine required) and also did "pet sitting" at guest homes. "Teachers don't make a lot of money, and it's a creative way to have a good vacation. It's a great way to travel, and you don't feel as much a tourist when you are living in someone's house, shopping in the local grocery store and going to the local park." Also worth checking is Global Home Exchange for teachers, www.4homex.com/teacher.htm, where educators can find homes to stay for free rather than staying in a single room of an expensive hotel. MORE WAYS tosave money or travel free... NEA discounts: NEA members have access to many travel discounts. Visit NEA Member Benefits at neamb.com and find travel and restaurant deals in the Click & Save section. Learn how to receive a 20 percent discount on stays at Red Roof Inn nationwide. Find promotion codes that provide discounts on Hertz, Alamo and Enterprise car rentals. Lead an education tour: Teachers who lead an education tour can travel free and even earn continuing education units. Some tour companies hand out free trips and cash bonuses to teachers willing to share their expertise. For example, EF Educational Tours allows a teacher to gather six individuals — including family and friends — who want to take a tour, and the teacher travels for free. Visit eftours.com. The ISE Card: The International Student Exchange cards offer great discounts to teachers, too. Benefits include up to $2,000 travel and medical insurance, 24-hour travel and medical assistance, airline bankruptcy protection, a global phone card, and discounts including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Eurostar Train between London and Paris, and much more. Visit isecard.com. The International Teacher Identity Card: Just $25 gives teachers access to discounts around the world including airfares, sightseeing, food and museums. Visit statravel.com/ teacher-discount-card.htm. Travel grants: Visit edutopia.org/teacher-travelgrants to learn about grants available via the Earthwatch Institute, Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program, and numerous other agencies that offer opportunities for teachers seeking educational travel experiences. Home hosting: Visit sites such as Teachers Travel Web, teacherstravelweb.com, which, for a nominal yearly fee, connects teachers willing to host educators in their home for free. Another website, Educators Travel Network, educatorstravel.com, allows subscribers to stay in the home of a teacher for an extremely low rate of $40 per night as a guest, or occupy the entire home when the owner is absent for $50. FRANCE Switching houses is fantastique, says Christine Remedios, shown here (left) with her husband chez friends in Migné-Auxances, France. 14 California Educator May 2013