Chat with us
Good Neighbor Insurance
  • plans
    • Travel InsuranceFor trips from 2 days to 2 yrs
      • Recommended / All Plans
      • Best for Missionaries
      • Pre-existing Conditions
      • Trip Cancellation
      • Annual Plans/Frequent Fliers
      • Traveling While Pregnant
      • Over 65
      • Emergency Evacuation Only
      • Adventure Sports
      • Inside the USA
      • More Options
    • Int’l Health InsuranceFor relocating/moving abroad
      • Recommended / All Plans
      • Exclusively for Missionaries
      • Nomads
      • Maternity Coverage
      • For Canadians
      • International Term Life
      • For Furlough/Sabbatical
      • Supplemental Plans
      • International Students
      • Local Nationals
      • More Options
    • Group Travel Insurance PlansFor teams traveling together
      • Recommended / All Plans
      • Trip Cancellation
      • Over 65
      • Pre-existing conditions
      • Personal Liability
      • To the USA
      • COVID-19 Coverage
    • Int’l Group Health Plans(For organizations/employers)
      • Group Health Plans
      • International Business Group Plans
      • NGO+ Plans
      • Faith-Based Group Insurance Plans
      • Supplemental Plans
      • Other International Insurance Options
      • Group Insurance Videos
      • Group Resources
  • resources

    Resources

    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Ask Doug
    • Free Guides
      • Trip Guides
      • Top Three Travel Risks
      • Free Guide To Travel Safety
      • Travel Medical Guide 101
    • Free E-Books
    • Helpful links:
      • Ask Jeff
      • Glossary
      • Get Involved
      • Mission Resources
      • Responding to Crisis
      • Social Good Resources
      • Gap Year Resources
      • Volunteer Opportunities Overseas
    • Infographics
  • company

    About us

    • Who We Are
    • Our Values
    • Testimonials
    • Meet The GNI Team
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Get a Quote
(480) 813-9100 Quote Chat

Blog

Good Neighbor Travel Insurance Blog

Four Things Short Term Trips Offer Seniors

elderly-man-woman-traveling-with-backpacks

November 7, 2009 By : Doug Gulleson

elderly-man-woman-traveling-with-backpacksWhen planning Short Term trips, most people’s hopes are for teens and young people to get fired up about living their purposefully. After all, that’s when a person lays a foundation for the rest of their life. But what about those who already have a foundation and maybe have some wisdom to go with it? Seniors are not only a burgeoning part of the American population, but they also aren’t ready for a rocking chair. They want to see new places, learn new things and perhaps teach a few things to younger people. And why not? Modern transportation and information systems make it increasingly possible. Here are four opportunities Short Term trips can offer seniors:

1. To see new things. Now I’m not talking about the touristy types of new things here. Seniors can be tourists on a cruise, if they choose. But getting off the beaten path and hanging with locals is not a touristy thing. Helping a class in Eastern Europe or China with English will certainly get you out of your comfort zone. The question is, are your seniors too old to learn new things like Teaching English As A Second Language? Perhaps they can lead younger team members by example in gracefully accepting new experiences. The truth is, no one who is willing to risk their comfort zone is too old to learn what is really happening in the world. And the best way to know this is to see it first hand.

2. To make new friends. While young people search for novel experiences, most seniors are more interested in relationships. After all, relationships with others enrich lives already rich in “things.” Working alongside nationals in other countries can be a golden opportunity to widen a senior’s circle of friends. E-mail and snail mail (you know, through the Post Office) can keep seniors in touch with new friends even after they have returned to the United States. Unlike young people, many seniors actually try to keep in touch with their friends. They may even want to go back and see them again, if the situation permits. Planners considering adding seniors to their Short Term teams may want to consider permanent relationships with a particular international partnership or project so this option remains available.

3. To make a difference. Anyone can make a difference. That is the truly great lesson of life. History proves that imperfect people change the world, no matter the age. American seniors long to know they still make a difference. In 2003, 18.6 percent of men over age 65 still worked and most said they worked because they liked their job and wanted to stay on. It gave them a sense of purpose. Seniors have lived a while and hopefully learned from life lessons they can pass on to team members or to the people they are serving. If nothing else, they may know how to slow down and really listen to others.

4. Personal renewal. Inner transformation can occur when people are put in different situations.  The newness of it gets the brain to think, and in turn that enlarges the heart. Seniors are richer for new experiences. Prejudices shift and often totally disappear.  One-sided beliefs get dismantled with new information. This all adds up to personal renewal, the kind that helps seniors find new joy and purpose in life.

Does adding seniors to your Short Term plans add some new considerations? Of course. But there are plenty of experts to help. Travel insurance experts can help with those types of concerns.

Good Neighbor Insurance annually insures close to 100 short term teams.  Check out our short-term team plans.

Doug Gulleson

Search Results

The most popular places visited by tourist in Paris

October 10, 2016

Many people say that Paris is a romantic city that is rich in culture. This is not only because of its buildings, but also food, art, and music. It’s no wonder that tourists from all over the world visit Paris. We agree that Paris is a romantic city and here are some of the most […]

Read Article

Hiking Around the World Part 2

October 8, 2020

Continuing our series on experiencing some great hiking trails and sights to see around the world, we take a look at three more choices for your consideration. Are you adventurous enough to check out some great hiking around the world?  There are some breathtaking spots for the hiking enthusiast and there are some wonderful hiking […]

Read Article

Health Insurance news from around the world: Taiwan

September 24, 2010

Good Neighbor Insurance  provides overseas health insurance plans that cover those who are Taiwanese citizens and non-Taiwanese citizens.  Their plans cover all medical costs including maternity–if one wants to add that benefit to their policy.  Check out https://www.gninsurance.com/health/ for more information. Taiwan’s healthcare system is financed through the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, funded by contributions […]

Read Article

Spain – A look at Health Care Systems around the world

March 8, 2010

Spain’ national health care system operates on a highly decentralized basis, giving primary responsibility to the country’s 17 regions. The Spanish Constitution guarantees all citizens the “right” to health care- including equal access to preventative, curative, and rehabilitative services. Coverage under the Spanish system is nearly universal, estimated at 98.7% of the population. The federal […]

Read Article

5 Common Mistakes International Students Make at College

September 28, 2017

Your first semester as an international student on a U.S. college campus is a time filled with many emotions. This might include excitement, nervousness, anxiety, anticipation, curiosity, and more. Here are 5 common mistakes international students make during their first semester at college in the U.S. Not arriving on campus early enough Not getting involved […]

Read Article

Traveling With A Disability – Part 1

April 13, 2017

Let’s talk about traveling with a disability. This series of articles on traveling with a disability will be linked in an index for easy reading/retrieval. Our hope is it might help you as you travel or help others travel well and safely. That is our goal at Good Neighbor Insurance! Traveling with a disability may […]

Read Article

Copyright © 2023 Good Neighbor Insurance All rights reserved.

  • About Us
  • Site Terms
  • Privacy Policy
Scroll Up