There’s no question that travel is an incredibly beneficial thing for young people to do. It will impact them in countless ways, from their achievements in school, their social awareness, their relationships with others, to their maturity and perspective. We have seen and experienced the positive effects travel can have, and we’d like to share our top four benefits of educational travel.
Improved Academic Engagement
Whatever subject or activity takes you away from home, taking it outside the school environment allows students to experience it in a real and tangible way, promoting a deeper connection to their area of interest. Students will see a new side of their subject that they will certainly learn from, and puts it into a context more exciting and inspiring than the controlled environment of school. According to our surveys, many teachers find that secondary students participate more in class and are more engaged with their studies following an overseas tour. Most importantly, educational travel teaches students to love learning, and pursue further knowledge and skills out of sincere interest.
Expanded Worldview
World travel is an important part of developing open-mindedness, through understanding and respect of other cultures and traditions. Experiencing the unfamiliar and gaining insight into other ways of life encourages a more mature and balanced view of the world and the people in it. Travel not only gives young people a chance to meet new people and experience cultures different to their own, but also challenges preconceived ideas and teaches students to think independently. Through travel, they will learn to examine their own ideas, beliefs, and the day-to-day realities that they might take for granted.
Lasting Friendships
In our experience, nothing strengthens friendships like navigating an exciting and challenging new environment together. Through new experiences, young people can discover commonalities and bond over their shared passions, which both cements existing friendships and forges new ones. Educational tours are a particularly great way to meet locals their own age, through competitive sport and school exchanges. Meeting the people is a guaranteed authentic way to experience a new place, and can create international friendships that never would have come about without travelling.
Personal Development
High school is a time of self-discovery, figuring out who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to do. Travel offers all of that and more to people of all ages, and can offer insights into the world and themselves that the home environment cannot provide. Students travelling internationally will have the opportunity to experience a different kind of independence, and learn how they respond to situations outside their comfort zone, increasing confidence, maturity and awareness. Learning about the world and gaining life experience will prepare students for the future in a profound way, putting them on a fast track to becoming well rounded, responsible, and curious individuals.
