Don't just travel; travel with a purpose! Live, learn, explore the world around you. A trip to a foreign land or to the other side of the city is the ultimate
lesson in global education for yourself and your students. How can you learn about the world by reading one page? Read the book. Travel the world! |
Travel is not cheap...unfortunately. Click on the picture and find out how to travel on a discount! Travel Opportunities for Students and Teachers:
There are a myriad of student travel companies out there; some big, some small, some good, some not so good. Every type of tour offers pluses and minuses. At the root of it, it doesn't really matter who you travel with or how you travel; just getting your students out of their Little Town USA mentality and immersing them holistically in a foreign language and culture transcends any lesson in a book or class at school. When a student has the chance to experience a new place first-hand, the personal learning is amplified exponentially.
I find companies that offer localized service with travel learning opportunities and interaction with locals the most rewarding for the student global experience. This, small, local, personalized approach is much more authentic- The more authentic the experience, the better quality of trip and global learning opportunity. One of the most authentic ways to engage in student travel is to participate in a student exchange or study aboard program. These programs are becoming more popular in the high schools these days. A partnership with a sister school is a great way to start. Students and teachers can have the opportunity to connect, visit, and learn with and from each other. The idea of establishing an exchange/study abroad program poses some significant challenges with approvals, liabilities, funding, and logistics, but a potentially rewarding global experience for all involved. Having experience in developing and participating in overseas exchange programs, please feel free to contact me if you are interested in some tips on how to start your own exchange program. |
Here is a comprehensive list of travel opportunities for teachers. Many of these trips are study tours which are a great way to travel, learn, gain new teaching material, and develop a professional network of like-minded educators from across the country and around the globe. Many of these programs offer opportunities to meet local students and teachers, tour schools, and meet local leaders to get an "insider's look" into the country. Many of these programs are low or no cost, but have lengthy applications and tough selection processes. Often as a stipulation of receiving a grant, there are additional personal, academic, and school/community related requirements to fulfill. Despite the long applications and sometimes stringent selection processes, the "Hey, you can't win if you don't play" mentality should encourage you to at least apply. Having participated in the the Turkish Cultural Foundation Study Tour
of Turkey in 2012, I can speak first-hand to the benefit of traveling, learning, and networking with other globally-minded educators on study tours. It is the best way to travel, teach, and learn! Turkish Cultural Foundation:
Educator Study Tour of Turkey |
My Travel Blog: Brazil
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This travel blog is from my three-week overseas teaching and cultural experience in Brazil in the summer of 2015. It will give you great insight into the TGC program in Brazil and information about life in Brazil, customs, education, and culture. Brazil is an amazing country. My visit was filled with nothing but rewarding experiences and awesome memories.
This overseas experience portion of the TGC Fellowship was what could be called a "diplomatic educational visit." I had the opportunity to visit governmental sights/offices, meet with educational leaders, visit the US embassy is Brasilia, visit schools, teach classes, collaborate with local teachers, and engage with students. It was one of the most enriching experiences in my career as a teacher and one that I will use to propel my global teaching in my classroom, department, school, and state. Click on the blue button to the left and scroll through and learn more about my adventures in the beautiful country of Brazil! Maybe you and your students could try blogging on your next global adventure! |