This case study shows how we designed Florida Southern College’s program in central Chile, ran it on the ground — and rebuilt it overnight when the group’s flights failed. Programs delivered in March 2025 and March 2026.
The faculty leads did not want to coordinate drivers, arrieros, boat crews and restaurants from the United States. They needed one team in Chile that would plan the week with them and then run it.
The core of the program stayed the same across editions; details changed with the season, the college’s policies and what each group told us. Professional photography was part of every day.
Every program meets something unexpected. What a faculty lead needs to know is who solves it, how fast, and whether they have to manage it themselves. Here is what happened.
What happened. Bad weather in the United States broke the group’s connection; they landed two days later than planned. We got the call in the middle of the night.
What we did. By morning, every supplier had been notified and a revised program was ready: the two lost days were absorbed and the core activities kept. Our team was waiting at the airport when they landed.
What happened. The forecast for the Cachagua boat day was not safe.
What we did. We moved the boat ride to the next day — decided in advance and shared with the faculty leads, not cancelled on the dock. Snorkeling was confirmed for the new day.
What happened. Before the first program, a horseback operator’s safety record did not meet our standard.
What we did. We flagged the risk to the college and recommended an alternative operator.
In every case the faculty leads were informed early and never had to coordinate suppliers from their side. Nature-based activities can always change with weather, sea conditions, park rules or safety.
A college does not repeat an international program casually: every edition needs a new approval, a new budget, new students and faculty time. Florida Southern College chose Tour Lab again for its second program in Chile.
“Every activity felt thoughtfully planned, but also flexible enough that we could just enjoy the moment without feeling rushed.”
“I got to go on unforgettable, unique experiences with super knowledgeable, kind, and understanding tour guides!”
“So educational and so fun would love to do this again because everyone was full of kindness and love.”
Verbatim excerpts from public reviews of Tour Lab group trips — not necessarily from Florida Southern College participants. Read all our reviews on Google.
Tell us your course, dates and group. A real person replies within 24 hours, and the full proposal with per-student pricing arrives within 10 business days of our first call.
Keep exploring: Virtual site visit · Sample 7-day program · Is Chile safe for student groups?
