educational tours advantage

The Advantages of an Educational Tour

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An educational tour offers students of all ages an opportunity for a rich immersion experience. While an educational tour is great fun, it differs from a vacation. Typically led by a teacher and group chaperones, such trips provide invaluable global learning. On an educational school trip students experience culture firsthand. Students come to appreciate parts of the world on a much deeper level than they ever could in the classroom. Students converse and socialize with local people, which broadens their perspective greatly.

Talking With Locals

Through talking with individuals, students will learn that people of any culture have many different views, values and world perspectives. Talking with locals will also give them a greater empathy for people of that culture, helping them to identify more with people from different places and backgrounds. As the website Travel Etiquette illustrates, you should familiarize yourself and your class with local customs before traveling to a foreign country. Know how to greet someone appropriately, what is acceptable to talk about, and other aspects of social interaction.

Cultural Observation

On a good educational tour, students experience a different culture through new eyes. Many tours are now offering volunteering opportunities and other chances to see how people of varying socioeconomic levels in a variety of locales live. Such experiences can help students develop more compassion for people from different walks of life. It can also help them to reflect on how these issues affect people near their home, inspiring them to work toward change.

If you're planning an educational tour, consider the many economic, social, educational and other issues affecting people, animals, and the environment in your destination. Decide how you can help your students understand these issues through completely immersing themselves in the experience. You may want to provide reading assignments ahead of time to give your class an idea of what to expect in their new environment.

Connecting Different Issues

Students embedded in a different culture and in a new place for the first time can begin drawing connections between the different issues they've been learning about regarding that culture. They can begin to learn, in a more concrete way, how environmental, socioeconomic, political and other issues are all interrelated. You can facilitate this learning by having regular group discussions throughout your educational school trip in which everyone reflects on their experiences and impressions.

Before leaving you might also want to assign students the requirement to keep a daily journal so they'll be prepared to participate in group reflection, and also retain what they have learned for years to come. Remind students to take interesting photographs, not just selfies.

Instilling a Passion for Travel

An educational tour can be a "safe" way to experience the world outside of one's home. On the tour, students are surrounded by other people they know, and they're guided throughout the experience by their teacher and other guides. Plus, they often pay much less than they would if they went by themselves.

When students realize how much they enjoy traveling, it can open new doors for them. They might decide to study abroad to more thoroughly immerse themselves in different cultures. They may also be more likely to travel independently in the future, continuing to broaden their understanding of the world. Some students might even realize their passion for learning about other cultures, and turn it into a career.

Importance of Excursion for Students

Through their experiences in a different culture, students will learn to see their homeland in a new way. Once they learn to think about the issues affecting another country in a holistic way, they can begin to do the same with their own country, state and city. This can be one of the most beneficial aspects of an educational tour.

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• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Educational Travel

Melanie J. Martin specializes in environmental issues and sustainable living. Her work has appeared in venues such as the Environmental News Network, "Ocean" magazine and "GREEN Retailer." Martin holds a Master of Arts in English.

The Transformative Power of Educational Travel

Educational travel is more than just a getaway; it's a gateway to a world of knowledge, personal growth, and cultural enrichment.

Educational travel is more than just a getaway; it's a gateway to a world of knowledge, personal growth, and cultural enrichment. When students participate in a field trip or educational tour, they discover a myriad of benefits that enhance their lives and shape their futures. Below are some research-based insights that show just how beneficial educational travel is to students.

Academic Benefits

Internalizing Abstract Concepts: Research conducted by Yurtdakal in 2021 suggests that educational travel helps students internalize abstract concepts, bringing textbook knowledge to life.

Place-Based Learning: Angle's work in 2022 highlights that place-based learning during travel leads to increased content-area knowledge, making subjects more engaging and memorable.

Enhanced Memory: Greene et al. (2014) found that students who engaged in educational travel demonstrated an impressive ability to recall facts about what they saw while traveling, improving memory retention.

Critical Thinking: The same study by Greene et al. (2014) revealed that students who traveled improved critical thinking by 9%, with even higher gains for rural students, students of color, and low-income students.

Sustained Test Score Improvement: Florick et al. (2021) found that students who participated in multiple educational travel experiences continued to demonstrate higher test scores even two years after their travels.

Improved Grades: A 2013 study indicated that 59% of students aged 12-18 who participated in educational travel felt that it helped improve their grades, underlining its positive impact on academic performance.

Historical Empathy: Educational travel leads to higher levels of historical empathy, an essential aspect of understanding the world's complex history (Greene et al., 2014).

Equity in Academic Gains: Researchers consistently found that gains were higher among historically marginalized groups, promoting equity in educational outcomes (Greene et al., 2014).

Social-Emotional Benefits

Nurturing Tolerance: Multiple studies, including those by Florick et al. (2021), Greene et al. (2014), and the Student and Youth Travel Association, highlight how educational travel helps students nurture tolerance of differences and appreciate diverse cultures.

Teamwork and Cultural Competence: Educational travel provides students with opportunities to develop teamwork skills and cultural competence, which are valuable life skills (Angle, 2022; Block, 2017; Gao, 2023; Student and Youth Travel Association, 2019).

Broadened Horizons: Well-integrated field trips and educational tours help to broaden students' horizons, encouraging them to think beyond their immediate surroundings (Ehlers & Forsyth, 2021).

Motivation and Interest: Students who travel demonstrate increased motivation and interest in learning, making them more engaged and eager to explore new subjects (Ehlers & Forsyth, 2021; Yurtdakal, 2021).

Improved Self-Esteem: Teachers have noted that students who participate in field trips and educational travel show increased self-esteem and independence, boosting their self-confidence (Student and Youth Travel Association, 2019).

Socioeconomic Benefits

Greater Success in Adulthood: Adults who participated in educational travel between ages 12-18 have shown greater success in terms of education and income. They earn a median income $5,000 higher or 12% more annually than non-travelers ("Travel Improves...," 2013).

Higher College Graduation Rates: 57% of student travelers went on to earn college degrees, demonstrating a clear link between educational travel and higher education attainment ("Travel Improves...," 2013).

Graduation Rates: Students who engaged in multiple educational travel experiences between the ages of 12-18 demonstrated a 95% high school graduation rate and a college graduation rate of 63%, emphasizing the long-term impact of these experiences ("Travel Improves...," 2013).

Unlocking a Love for Learning

One of the most profound outcomes of educational travel is the ignited passion for learning. Just as in the studies mentioned before, students who travel with Zoni Tours find that the experience inspires them to connect the dots between what they've learned in the classroom and the real world. A remarkable 96% of our travelers report gaining insights into political and social issues that drive them to delve deeper into their studies. What's more, according to our research, these inspired students are over 200% more likely to pursue higher education, striving for college or graduate degrees.

Fostering Acceptance and Empathy

At Zoni Tours, we understand the importance of cultural understanding and acceptance. When students interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during their travels, their perceptions are transformed. They become more curious and accepting, with a heightened appreciation for cultural contexts. After traveling with us, an impressive 95% of students report an increased appreciation for other cultures.

But it doesn't stop there. Our journeys instill empathy for others and a profound awareness of how our students live and learn in comparison to their global peers. Our student travelers return home with a deeper understanding of their own cultural values.

Nurturing Personal Responsibility

Participating in educational travel provides students with a unique opportunity to expand their horizons while ensuring their safety. Traveling fosters personal responsibility as students learn to manage their time and budget their money. They gain valuable problem-solving skills when navigating new cities. When traveling abroad students overcome language barriers, all within a safe and supportive environment.

This growth in personal responsibility isn't just theoretical; it's tangible. After touring with Zoni Tours, an overwhelming 97% of students report an increase in self-confidence. They return with not only newfound skills but also lifelong friendships and a deeper understanding of who they are as individuals. In short, students return from their Zoni Tours experiences as better versions of themselves.

Educational travel with Zoni Tours is not just an ordinary journey; it's a life-altering adventure. We understand that the benefits extend beyond the confines of the classroom and provide students with unique opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. Our commitment to transformative experiences sets us apart, and we invite you to explore the world with us. Give us a call at 1-888-495-0680 and let us show you where we can take you and your students on a journey of a lifetime.

Taylor Ruiz

Taylor Ruiz is the Vice President of Administration at Zoni Language Centers and Affiliates, bringing a wealth of experience as a K-12 leader to her role. With a strong background in educational administration, Taylor has a proven track record of driving operational excellence and organizational efficiency in diverse settings. Her experience as a K-12 leader has equipped her with invaluable insights into effective management strategies, team building, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Taylor's leadership is characterized by her commitment to empowering her team, fostering collaboration, and making a positive impact both within the organization and the community.

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The Benefits of Educational Tours for Students’ Learning and Development

Students love traveling. Research  shows that education trips can have multiple benefits for their education, social, and personal development. It allows them to learn about new people and cultures, broadening their horizons and worldview.

In addition, educational tours are an integral part of their long-term academic performance. They are a great contrast to traditional classroom settings. Whether these are day trips or lengthy tours, they are always worth a try. Check out some of the key benefits you should expect.

Table of Contents

Hands-on experience

The obvious benefit is about getting hands-on experience. In classrooms, students learn about the outside world through lectures and teaching material. While taking education tours, they are able to learn about their subjects by getting first-hand experience. For instance, a visit to a science museum to see exhibits can be far more educational than a week-long series of lectures on the subject.

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More engagement in learning

Educational tours also help students become more engaged in the learning process. These tours are usually full of exciting opportunities, discoveries, and serendipity. Those who can observe things well are able to discover things that are usually hidden from the naked eye.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Educational tours are a great way to advance students’ analytical skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They encounter lots of unexpected situations and challenges while on their trip. More often than not, they need to use their own judgment to resolve these situations. Thus, they are able to gain valuable experience that is empirical and evidence-based.

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Social skills

Students get to interact with one another a lot while traveling. This means they are able to practice their social skills in an informal setting. By practicing their communication and interpersonal skills, they can improve their ability to engage with peers. This is a skill they can use effectively throughout their college years and later when they start building their careers.

Broadening horizons

Obviously, students are able to broaden their worldview as they travel. By exposing themselves to new cultures and new people, they can deepen their understanding of different cultures. They also appreciate diversity and get a handle on how different and diverse cultural backgrounds help people make meaningful connections and contributions.

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Above all, education trips are a lot of fun. They help students get to know each other better. If trips include lots of games and fun activities, they can turn travel into unforgettable experiences with their memories sticking with them for the rest of their lives. This is an important consideration. It is common knowledge that people learn best through games, so the more fun games are included, the better.

Final Considerations

Educational tours are an awesome way to help students advance their learning objectives. Such tours can serve different purposes, such as broadening horizons, learning about other cultures and peoples, getting hands-on experiences, and acquiring new skills. Many students can sharpen their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, which they can apply to their educational objectives and careers later on.

Joanne Elliot has been sharing her articles and blogs on best practices in students’ learning and development approaches in leading academic journals. She used educational tours as a major teaching tool for many years as a tutor. She loves traveling herself, and she likes organizing educational tours to off-beaten tracks together with her students.

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• The Importance of Educational Travel

Study abroad, annual field trips, huge senior trips, weeklong marching band getaways. . . let’s face it, students are traveling a lot more today than they used to. Of course, you already know that we think that is great, but the point of this blog is to tell you why we think you should think this is great. First off, let us define educational travel. Educational travel is a successful combination of tours, site visits, and hands-on learning opportunities that meet clear and concise learning objectives. Educational travel allows students to further their learning experience by actually seeing and/or experiencing what they have learned about in the classroom, in real life.

There truly is no better way to learn something than to s ee or do it for yourself, and with educational travel, you get to do just that! It’s like guaranteeing your class will learn something new, and have fun while doing it. Travel in general, however, is an educational experience in itself. High school students who take weekend vacations on the beach or on a cruise probably don’t intend on learning anything while traveling, but undoubtedly they will, as traveling somewhere new already brings a person out of their comfort zone and into a new perspective, a new place and a new self-awareness in that new place. This just automatically happens when traveling, whether a person intends on it or not.

When you add in the intentional educational part of traveling, you get an abundantly useful and memorable experience you will never, and can never, replace with any other lesson.

So plain and simple, what are the benefits of educational travel? Well, there’s probably too many to list, but here’s a start:

• Experience new cultures, gain a new perspective.
• Get out of your comfort zone. Gain courage.
• Exhibit and/ or gain independence and leadership skills.
• Increase self-awareness in a new place.
• Increase intercultural knowledge, become more business savvy and understanding.
• Gain insight and appreciation.
• Get a new/better perspective on history.
• Experience a hands-on learning opportunity.
• Gain crucial language experience.

Image of smiling student holding books and looking at camera Stockfresh

We could go on, but we probably shouldn’t. There are so many benefits to take from educational travel, even travel alone, that it is hard not to want to plan your own educational trip today. Whether you are a student or you are a teacher , or maybe you are just a curious parent, we suggest planning your own highly memorable and informational travel journey today, you won’t regret it!

Adventure Student Travel’s Top Educational Tour Suggestions:

• Washington D.C - History and Politics
• Civil Rights in Alabama
• New York Museums
• New York Business
• Florida Space Coast
• Living History in Williamsburg
• Marching Band Performance

Written by Danielle

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Educational tourism- the best way to travel?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Educational tourism is one of the best types of tourism ! Whether you are going on a school trip, backpacking around South East Asia or going on a round the world cruise, there are always lots of things to learn while travelling. Whilst people used to be content with laying on a beach and reading a book, consumer preferences are changing- people want to experience something different- they want adventure, excitement and education!

What many people don’t realise, is that educational tourism is actually all around us. Whether in a formal or informal context, most types of travel involve an element of education. But how does this work and what does it mean for the travel industry? In this article I will explain exactly what is meant by the term educational tourism, how this occurs and where it is most commonly found. I will also discuss the many advantages of educational tourism, to both the tourist and the tourism industry .

What is educational tourism?

Educational tourism definition, why we need to understand the concept of educational tourism, education first, tourist first, consequential education in travel, how does educational tourism work the theory behind the practice, benefits of educational tourism, educational tourism.

As LaTorre noted in 2011, The world is one’s school. When most people hear the term ‘educational tourism’, they think of school trips to visits to sites such as Auchswitz or Oradour-Sur-Glane . Or they think of educational holidays for adults such as learning to dive in Dahab . or learning to cook in Thailand . However, educational tourism is soooo much more than this. In fact, it is everywhere we look!

Since the origins of tourism and the grand tour (Ritchie  et al , 2003) the educational benefit of travel has long been recognised. There are now an abundance of ‘study abroad’ options available to those inclined and the informal educational attributes of travel, for example whilst undertaking volunteer tourism placements, gap years or backpacking trips, are undisputed.

Yet despite such common reference to the educational benefits of travel, educational tourism appears to be under-researched as an academic subject. Literature surrounding educational tourism appears to be sporadically scattered across many fields of study and ironically, this concept that is so commonly identified as a benefit or motivation for touristic activities has been subject to little academic attention to date. This has seen rise to many unanswered questions such as; what are travellers learning; who is learning; where, when and how are they learning? (Falk  et al , 2012).

Read the book: Educational tourism by Elizabeth App

Due to the lack of literature addressing the concept of educational tourism there are few attempts at drawing definitional boundaries explaining what constitutes an educational tourist. Ritchie  et al  (2003) draw upon definitions of tourism and the parameters of educational tourism and conclude that an educational tourist is;

‘A person who is away from their home town or country overnight, where education and learning are either the main reason for their trip or where education and learning are secondary reasons but are perceived as an important way of using leisure time’ (p18)

Ritchie highlights an important point here. He notes that education may be the main reason for tourism. BUT it may also be a secondary motive for tourism. I would like to take this one step further and propose also that education may not be perceived as being an important part of a trip, but in actual fact, it is. I call this consequential education in tourism.

Understanding the concept of educational tourism is important to tourism industry stakeholders . Tourists want to learn. They may not desire a formal learning environment whilst on holiday, but most people are inquisitive about new places and new people. People enjoy learning how elephants are cared for at the elephant sanctuaries in Thailand and they want to know more about how spices are harvested at the spice plantation in Goa , for example.

Falk  et al  (2012) argue that tourism managers and researchers need to better understand the nature of learning in tourism and leisure contexts. Educational tourism is big business, bigger than most people realise! And the potential for tourism businesses is huge…. understanding the concept of educational tourism can help to inform business plans, marketing, consumer satisfaction and lots more!

The types of educational tourism

Educational tourism comes in many different shapes and sizes. In fact, educational tourism is actually a macro niche tourism , which is subsequently found within many different types of tourism. Types of tourism that commonly facilitate educational tourism include:

• Cultural tourism
• Dark tourism
• Business tourism
• Culinary tourism
• Volunteer tourism
• Special interest tourism

Educational is found is tourism in many different regards. This can be in a formal or informal context (or somewhere in between). Shwayat has attempted to demonstrate this through the diagram below. However, I believe that this is too fragmented to be representative. Yes, sometimes educational tourism is evident to all, but other times it is subtle. So subtle in fact, that even the tourist may not realise they are an ‘educational tourist’.

Similarly, Pogodina (2009) has attempted to visually depict the educational tourism spectrum in the chart below. Here you can clearly see the role of the various stakeholders of educational tourism.

According to Ritchie et al (2013), educational tourism can be divided into two segments. The first is university, college and school tourism, in which the tourist experience is secondary to formal learning and can be described as ‘education first’. The second is edu-tourism, defined as general travel for education and known as ‘tourist first’ (Ritchie  et al , 2003). In addition to this, I propose that there should be a third classification: consequential educational travel.

I will explain what each of these mean below.

Education first tourism is the most known form of educational tourism. However, in reality it is actually less common than the other two types of educational tourism, tourist first and consequential educational travel. Education first is the most formal educational tourism setting and can take a number of forms. Examples include:

• Studying abroad at college or university
• Attending a boarding school abroad
• Doing a qualification overseas, e.g. TEFL
• Language exchange programmes
• Taking a course abroad e.g. learning a language/diving/cooking/art etc
• Service learning
• Educational school trips
• Girl guide/Scouts etc trips
• World schooling
• Cultural immersion e.g. working as an au pair

Many people choose to study abroad because they are in search of a new experience or because this provides opportunities to them that are not available at home. Freestone and Geldens (2008) state that as a result of the student having a pre-determined date of returning home, study abroad can be considered a tourist experience. Students are also likely to undertake touristic activities during their free time.

Study abroad has been found to significantly aid learning and is now common practice within schools, colleges and universities (Paige  et al , 2009). Abrams (1979) stated some years ago that study abroad is better defined as  learning through experience abroad . This is due to the difficulty in determining whether the benefits and outcomes of study abroad are the results of travel, interaction with other cultures, classroom study or a combination. This supports my suggestion that it is difficult to develop linear, segmented models of educational tourism, like the ones included in this article above.

The ‘tourist-first’ experience is when learning is acquired through tourist experiences outside of the classroom. This can take many different forms. For example, it could be learning about the history of the long neck tribe in Thailand during an excursion or visiting the Egyptian museum in Cairo whilst travelling in Egypt .

Some have identified educational tourism as being a form of lifelong learning (e.g. Broomhall  et  al, 2010; Falk  et al , 2012). TEFL teaching (the subject of my PhD- learn more in the video below) is akin with lifelong learning in that the experience consists of formal and informal learning, whether this be in a classroom environment or ‘on the job’ learning, self-motivated learning as they are likely to have opted to undertake their TEFL teaching placement and self-funded learning as many are likely to have funded the trip and placement through their own means. Increasing numbers of people in Western society appear to have a growing appetite for lifelong learning (Falk and Dierking, 2002), and this can lead to assumptions that the likes of TEFL tourism will increase in the future. 

An increasing body of research now shows that most learning takes place outside of the formalities of the education system (e.g. Falk and Dierking, 2010; Falk, Storksdieck and Dierking, 2007). In fact, there has been an exponential increase over the past two decades in the amount of learning that derives from self-directed experiences on the Internet or as part of leisure activities (Estabrook  et al , 2007).

Pearce and Foster (2007) describe travel as being its own kind of educational institution, with the experiences and knowledge gained representing a kind of parallel to formal education in school or university. In fact, travel offers one of the few opportunities outside of formal education where non-vocational learning about other times, places and people takes place (Werry, 2008). An example of such learning is demonstrated through gap year travel, with many people returning home claiming to have developed intellectually as a result of their experiences, with personal growth and increased life skills being prominent areas of development (Coetzee and Bester, 2009). Others have reported learning of ‘generic skills’ whilst backpacking, such as problem solving and interpersonal skills as well as enhancing their general geographical and cultural awareness (Pearce and Foster, 2007).

Studies on volunteer tourism have highlighted its educational benefits and the ability to foster self-reflection and developments in personality traits and behaviours (e.g. Alexander, 2012; Benson and Wearing, 2012;  Broad and Jenkins, 2008; Gray and Campbell, 2009; Sin, 2009; Soderman and Snead, 2008; Wickens, 2011). It has also been known for those involved with international travel to develop skills such as problem solving, time management and communication (Scarini and Pearce, 2012). Although the ‘curriculum’ of such informal learning may not be well organised, there is plenty of information to process and travellers are likely to acquire new skills and perspectives as a result (Pearce and Foster, 2007). 

Another emerging type of education that is acquired through travel is the concept of world schooling. World schooling is essentially a means of providing and finding education from the real world. It provides families with the opportunities to travel long-term and to allow their children to learn through their experiences. World schooling removes teachers, classrooms, schools and pre-defined curriculums and allows children to learn through environments, cultures, climates, histories and societies that they naturally encounter on their travels. You can learn more about how world schooling works in practice on the World Travel Family blog .

To further emphasise the value of consequential education through travel, Pearce and Foster (2007, p1286) draw upon a quote from a graduate recruitment advertisement for the Ford Motor Company ascertaining that;

 ‘Degrees get students a job but the skills determine success’ 

This highlights that it is the combination of learning derived from formal institutions and qualifications and personal experience that is likely to help the individual be most successful in their chosen career path.

In order to demonstrate the relationship between travel and learning it is necessary to draw upon some of the fundamental theories used in learning and education analysis. Stone and Petrick (2013) pay reference to existential learning, stating that it can be used as a model for explaining how people learn by travelling.

Existential learning is in essence a form of education that takes place as a result of learners uncovering knowledge by themselves, usually as a result of personal experiences and can be defined as ‘meaningful discovery’ (Boydell, 1976, p19).

Kolb’s (1984) model provides a widely used framework for the understanding of existential learning and consequently, evaluating travel learning (Stone and Petrick, 2013). Kolb’s (1984) model essentially outlines the way in which a person will have a concrete experience, reflect on their experience, conceptualise or conclude what has happened and then experiment or try out what they have learnt before having another new concrete experience, and so the cycle continues. This framework is useful not only in understanding existential learning as a result of travel in a formal education context, but can potentially aid in the comprehension of learning of the different areas of the travel industry.

Despite Kolb’s (1984) model having not yet been thoroughly analysed as a way of travel learning (Stone and Petrick, 2013), it does have potential to be utilised in future studies involving travel as a means to learning. To date there have been attempts at linking travel with existential learning (e.g. Novelli and Burns, 2010; Woolley  et al , 2011), however these have focussed on travel as part of an educational course, as opposed to freely chosen travel per se. This appears to be an area that is largely under researched to date. 

Building on the pedagogy of existential learning and the reflective aspect in particular, Coghlan and Gooch (2011) propose that volunteer tourism organisations should utilise Mezirow’s (1991) theory on transformative learning to inform their operational plans. Mezirow’s (1991) theory describes a shift in one’s assumptions and world beliefs through a series of ten steps and highlights that the individual experiences a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thought, feelings and actions (O’Sullivan, 2002).

There are many benefits of educational tourism that have been recorded in the academic literature. These include:

• Change in perspective or worldview/ greater awareness of ‘self’ (Dwyer, 2004)
• Increased independence and self-confidence/positive personality changes (Bachner and Zeutschel, 2009)
• Intercultural development/ have cultural experience (Ingraham and Peterson, 2004; Rexeison  et al , 2008)
• Global engagement/ enhanced citizenship (Paige  et al , 2009)
• Enhanced cultural awareness/dispelling of stereotypes (Freestone and Geldens, 2008)
• Intellectual and cognitive growth/ learning (Chieffo, 2007; Ingraham and Peterson, 2004; Novelli and Burns, 2010; Miller-Perrin and Thompson, 2010; Sutton and Rubin, 2004)
• Opportunity to achieve training and/or qualifications/ develop skills to aid career development

Educational tourism is an important type of tourism that I expect will continue to grow into the future. If you enjoyed reading this article, then I recommend you also take a look at:

• Cultural tourism explained: What, why and where
• MICE tourism: A simple explanation
• 10 jobs in travel and tourism that will be BIG in 2021 and beyond…
• Volunteer tourism: Everything you need to know
• The history of Thomas Cook | Understanding tourism

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The Educational Benefits of Travel

• Posted March 19, 2021
• By Gianna Cacciatore
• Entrepreneurship
• Global Education
• Informal and Out-of-School Learning

Master’s student Yasmine El Baggari has been to all 50 states. And she hasn’t just “been” to them in a casual, check-off-the-box way. She has been to them, for extended trips, staying in the homes of more than 250 families, riding countless Greyhound buses, and fostering thousands of genuine connections across cultures.

Originally from Morocco, El Baggari decided that she wanted to travel the United States by bus when she was 17, starting from Kansas where she was living while taking part in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange — a state-department exchange program that seeks to dismantle stereotypes about Morocco, Africa, and the Middle East in the United States. “I told myself, if I can break down stereotypes in Kansas, I can do it in all 50 states,’’ says El Baggari. She continued her travels across the U.S. through college and beyond, visiting her final state — Alaska — in 2019.

Her commitment to the interpersonal and cross-cultural benefits of travel only grew from there, with additional visits to 50 countries. Six years ago, El Baggari founded Voyaj , an international exchange company that seeks to break down cultural stereotypes and foster a sense of global interconnectedness through travel experiences. Voyaj connects people of all ages with others in their destination country who share their interests and values, “in order to have a deeper cultural experience through their lens,” El Baggari explains.

The program, currently being piloted with select communities, has facilitated journeys for its clients to more than 40 countries, including France, Morocco, and the United States. Hosts open their homes to travelers, who then open their hearts and minds to embrace new cultures. The Voyaj process is planned to work through the Voyaj website, where travelers will be able to sign-up, arrange homestays, and share stories about their journeys.

El Baggari’s work at Voyaj, which is currently a venture at the Harvard iLab , is grounded in the belief that when humans from different backgrounds form authentic connections, our increased global understanding can help lead to a more peaceful world. Learning more about how the human mind works while at the Ed School has given her insight into the factors at play when two strangers sit down and form a deep bond, despite their different social contexts — factors she learned anecdotally from her travel experiences. This developmental knowledge, El Baggari believes, will help her understand cross-cultural connections, even when stereotypes, walls, and borders stand in the way.

“It is so important to realize that we aren’t really that different, and that we can embrace any perceived or real differences and identify our commonalities,” she explains.  

When COVID-19 restricted travel, Voyaj created remote opportunities for connection, facilitating online experiences for people around the globe. While these gatherings lack the allure of an international, in-person experience, they have addressed some of the social ills exacerbated by the pandemic like loneliness and isolation. “That’s one of the positive sides of COVID: More communities are looking to connect and to do so more deeply,” says El Baggari. “Because of the isolation, people are eager to meet. These virtual experiences have proven meaningful.”

El Baggari expects the evolution of Voyaj to continue — even as she concurrently focuses on her ultimate travel goal: becoming an astronaut through Space For Humanity’s sponsored citizen astronaut mission. With the support of her global team, she is running pilots for the upcoming Voyaj app, as well working to form partnerships with other exchange and travel organizations in the United States, New Zealand, Morocco, and elsewhere.

El Baggari believes that travel is about more than place. It is about people: the people you see, the people you meet, and the people who change you along the way. “I believe we have the opportunity to learn at every moment from every encounter,” says El Baggari. “We’re here, and alive! We’ve got to connect, to open and share our cultures, and realize who we truly are.”

The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education

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A Personalized Learning App Helps Close the Divide

Student group trips can create lifelong, educational opportunities for your students and Educational Destinations offers customized student group trips to many popular destinations. With industry-leading apps and online tools and a dedicated Tour Director at your group's side throughout the entire trip, Educational Destinations can make your student group trips rewarding and memorable.

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Included in your trip, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

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Everything you need for your next trip .

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It’s no surprise that Educational Destinations sets and exceeds student travel standards. We aim to provide the best service, communication, experience and safety for all of our groups. When researching for your travel provider, please download this PDF checklist HERE to ensure that your group is taking advantage of all of the essential building blocks of a successful, safe, and FUN trip! If you have questions or are ready to get started on your next trip, please call 800.616.1112 or request your customized quote .

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ED will create a custom designed trip for your group that is shaped by your priorities, goals and wishes, and powered by your passions. ED is committed to listening and working one-on-one with you to build the perfect trip for your students. There are no stock trips here - just your trip.

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Led by award-winning teachers, ED exceeds the needs and expectations of students, teaching staff, parents and administrators. ED anticipates group needs and delivers group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs. Our experience and expertise enable us to bring the best quality trips, events, experiences and opportunities to your group.

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ED’s custom trips are cost-effective and inclusive, without hidden costs – a great value for your travelers. Charter coaches, flights, hotels, meals, sightseeing, events, taxes and gratuities are covered for each traveler. A 24/7 Emergency Contact System is included for each traveling group.

Cutting Edge Technology

Through ED's parent company, ED is the only student travel company providing Trip Account , an internet-based program that provides you a complete trip resource center 24 hours a day. Also included in your trip is the Trip Account App: Music Directors, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

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A signature feature of every trip is the ED Tour Director , always right by the teacher’s side, managing all travel aspects of your trip: transportation, events, meals, lodging, tickets and more. Our TD’s training and management skills let the teacher focus on the students and education.

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Hear from our valued clients throughout the world.

Since 1987, Educational Destinations, led by passionate, award-winning teachers, has become the first choice for educational student group travel. By listening to teachers, providing cutting edge technology and unmatched service, and having dedicated ED Tour Directors conduct trips, Educational Destinations has built an unmatched reputation. Focused on designing custom trips that provide educational, memorable, and rewarding student travel experiences, Educational Destinations successfully partners with customers to do just that, in destinations within the United States and worldwide. Decades of combined travel expertise, earned in dozens of countries, enables Educational Destinations to anticipate performance needs and deliver group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs.

I wanted to write and tell you what a terrific job you did with our trip. I’ve been traveling since 1980 and this was the easiest trip ever for me. I simply had to do nothing but teach! It’s hard to believe it’s taken me this long to get it right, slow learner! The students and parents have had nothing to say but wonderful things…

Nan Moore Male High School

You have been so wonderful with our parents and students throughout the entire course of this tour. I am so glad we signed on with Music Travel Consultants/Educational Destinations as you gave our group the red carpet treatment every step of the way.

Janis Stackhouse Bloomington High School North

Music Travel Consultants/Educational Destinations is top-notch. The professionalism of the staff and their attention to detail is a director’s dream come true. My students and I have traveled with them four times over the past several years and I can say that “I won’t leave home without them!

Jena Adrianson Lawrence Central High School

I can’t say enough good things about Educational Destinations. They had everything covered and it was a relaxing and fun trip. My students and parents commented that it was the best trip we have ever taken. I’m ready to plan another trip with this company.

Brenda Bergman Jay County School Corporation

I recently had the pleasure of going on a Disney Trip with our band from Eastern High School in Greentown, IN. I was skeptical about going but am so glad I did. My Grandson and I came in rather late and had no problems whatsoever in getting onto your site, paying for our trip, and having confirmation that we were good to go.

Dianna Workinger Greentown, IN

Being able to trust implicitly the people who are planning what we will see, the timing of the itinerary, and the traveling arrangements is comforting not only to our staff but also to our parents. For our parents to know that this is a company that we use year after year with great results gives them the peace of mind that their children will experience the safest trip possible.

Mrs. Kathy Schubel Principal, St. Bartholomew Catholic School

I wanted to thank you so much for such a great trip! Our kids had a wonderful time and I could not imagine how we would have seen all that we were able to see without having you organize this trip for us.

Angie Remington Madison-Grant Elementary Students

I have worked with Educational Destinations on a yearly basis since 2001 and ED is the best educational travel group our school has ever worked with. It is refreshing to know that during the course of a trip that if any questions or problems arise, we have the consultant, whom we have worked with all year, right there with us to answer all questions and take care of the tickets and timing. It makes the trip very relaxing and enjoyable and a trip our kids never forget.

Darrin Russell 8th Grade U.S. History, Mitchell High School

I have been coordinating educational field trips for my school for the past 10 years and could not be happier with Educational Destinations. From the very first brainstorming session to the moment we return home from our trip, Educational Destinations works tirelessly to make sure our trips are memorable and successful. They are always quick to answer my questions, which I truly appreciate. Michael, Robin, and Ryan have been fantastic to work with over the years and I highly recommend them!

Kris Samick Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation

Educational Destinations has taken the stress out of planning and traveling with a large group. As a teacher, I am now able to actually enjoy the time I have with my students instead of worrying about all of the necessary details. From the very first contact made to the last moment of the trip and beyond, each and every person we have interacted with from Educational Destinations has been professional, concerned about fulfilling our needs, and exceptionally conscientious.

Linda Crady History Teacher, Sycamore School

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What is Educational Tourism: Stats, Benefits, Examples & More

What is educational tourism?

Benefits of educational tourism, types of educational tourism, who is it for, real-life examples.

The global tourism industry is very diverse. With the number of different types of tourism and the number of ways travelers interact with tour packages increasing, it can be pretty hard to keep track of each travel sector’s subdomain. 

On the other hand, getting insights from a particular travel sector subdomain can help you make informed decisions, such as whether or not to add new travel products to your offer.

One of the tourism forms that became very popular recently is educational tourism. While it’s not a brand-new tourism concept, educational tourism accumulated enormous interest. To help you understand what it is, we’ve decided to put together an educational tourism ultimate guide that covers everything from its definition to real-life examples.

Educational tourism or edu tourism is a form of tourism. As we mentioned earlier, it’s not a brand-new concept in this vertical – it can be traced back to the 17th century . History records the success of the “Grand Tour,” which marks the beginning of educational tourism as we know it. When it began, it was mainly popular among the aristocratic British youth . It was essential to their education through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

After the UK, other European countries followed, and many scholars traveled to the old continent in search of new knowledge or to learn from their peers and study languages.

It goes beyond the other forms of tourism that mainly offer business or pleasure travel packages. This new trend in the global tourism industry has one purpose – to create opportunities for travelers to obtain new experiences and knowledge on a wide range of topics. 

Every travel product that enables travelers to learn about foreign cultures, study new things, engage in study tours, or apply a learned skill is considered an educational tourism’s product. Large-scale mass tourism is still popular, but some travelers seek other options that enable them to travel and yet be able to acquire new knowledge. The shift in travel demands is one of the main factors driving the growth of this sector.

Now, that you understand what educational tourism is, let’s see the current state of the educational tourism market, including recent trends and projections.

Most sectors declined during the past few years, and the educational tourism industry was no exception. The tourism sector has experienced a decline because many countries imposed international travel restrictions. Compared to previous years, foreign tourism decreased by 22% in the first quarter of 2020 and 65% in the first two quarters of 2020 . 

However, the sector quickly came back on its feet the moment governments around the globe lifted the travel restrictions. The latest research findings support our previous claim that educational tourism is increasing in popularity. 

The global educational tourism market value in 2021 is estimated at $399.8 . It means that the market exhibited a year-on-year growth of 16% . The same research projects that the market will continue to grow with a compound annual growth rate of 17.2% . By 2031 its value is projected to reach $1,947 billion.

According to Future Market Insights , the total number of global educational tourists in 2022 was over 6 million . They’ve identified four main contributing factors to the market growth and increasing popularity of this sector:

• Access to new information;
• Emerging education styles;
• New research techniques;
• Enormous exposure to science.

Furthermore, the FMI report indicates that most inbound educational tourists are interested in obtaining a master’s degree, making students one of the most significant demographic segments driving the sector’s growth. More precisely, the age group of 19–25 years generates a whopping 73% of global educational tourism market revenue. The students alone generate 39% of the overall sector’s revenue . 

Educational tourism offers many benefits for all parties involved, including travelers, the host community, and the host nation. It has the power to drive the growth of many sectors and help develop entire regions and communities. With this in mind, let’s see the more specific benefits this type of tourism brings.

Monetization of previously unexplored places

Educational tourism travel can help a region leverage unexplored places and make them available for tours, trips, and excursions . Monetizing these locations can help bring more money to the region and enable it to thrive, make necessary improvements, and attract more travelers in the future.

Improved international collaboration

Governments can recognize the value of educational tourism, especially if they identify travel patterns that indicate their educational tourism offer attracts travelers from a specific country. Governments can improve international collaboration, opening room for more exchange programs, workshop travels, and international scientific research.

Improved image of a city, nation, and country

Educational tourism has the power to improve the image of a city or an entire nation or country. Offering a memorable and pleasant experience to foreign travelers can help a country build a positive image. It can help other tourism sectors attract more visitors and secure stable revenue streams. 

Increased number of employment opportunities

The only way to deal with the increasing educational tourism demand in a specific location is to hire more professionals. It’s a great opportunity for countries to lower unemployment rates and offer new employment opportunities in the travel sector to local communities.

New entrepreneurship opportunities

Tourism is one of those industries that can facilitate the growth of other verticals, such as entertainment and hospitality. With the stable influx of educational tourists, there will be plenty of new entrepreneurship opportunities people can pursue to launch successful businesses. 

The rapid development of infrastructure

Educational tourism can create the need for new infrastructure in some areas . With the revenue it helps create, local governments can develop new infrastructure plans and have sufficient budgets to build infrastructure to both the local community’s and travelers’ delight. 

Lots of benefits for the travelers

Travelers engaging in educational tourism activities stand to gain much more than just exploring new destinations. Educational tourism can help them change their perspective or worldview , increase independence and self-confidence, enhance cultural awareness and dispel stereotypes, and facilitate intellectual and cognitive growth.

Education tourism is a big branch of tourism. Over the years, the market demand has enabled educational travel organizations to develop various educational packages and trips . Some of these packages have many things in common, allowing us to outline several major types of educational tourism.

Language schools

There is no better way to learn a foreign language than to do it by immersing yourself in it. And the best way to do it is to travel to the country where it is spoken. Language schools for foreign languages attract language learners from all over the world.

Learning the native language inside the classroom and then interacting with it outdoors while exploring the cities and country is something language students find attractive. As the final result, we have language schools as one of the major types of educational tourism.

Youth traveling

Youth traveling is the next major type of this tourism branch, involving a wide range of activities mainly developed for children and adolescents. Some youth traveling products include school excursions, youth exchanges, and other programs stimulating creativity and development. 

A unique combination of learning and travel e xperiences engages kids and adolescents and invites them to obtain new skills and knowledge while learning about other cultures and exploring iconic sights worldwide. 

Workshop travels

Workshop travels include group and individual travels that share one common goal – acquire knowledge from renowned experts while traveling abroad. Workshop travels’ final destinations are often workshops, seminars, and symposiums. 

This type of educational tourism is popular among people of any age, which makes it a pretty prominent kind of tourism. Besides individuals, organizations are also common buyers of workshop travel products. It enables businesses to diversify their professional growth and development programs and keep employees engaged.

Student exchange programs

Student exchange programs were always popular. However, student exchange programs became quite popular after introducing systems that enable students to earn credits towards their degree despite where they attend courses, such as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

These programs enable students to work with some of the best professors worldwide and experience their teaching methodologies firsthand. However, these programs don’t exclusively offer students access to courses. They can encompass various camps, internships, and sports competitions as well.

International scientific research programs

Masters and Ph.D. students must research a chosen topic to get a degree. Many choose to do it abroad, working with renowned professors and researchers . 

Given the popularity of this type of travel, international scientific research programs make a unique type of educational tourism.

Tourism education

Students seeking knowledge in developing tourism sectors abroad must travel and spend time in a country. The hands-on experience and unique insights complete the tourism education and add additional value to students and operators in a location. 

Tourism education helps create more sustainable tourism and encourages young entrepreneurs to start their own tourism businesses. 

Educational tourism is not exclusively reserved for any specific demographic group or country . There are examples of very young kids engaging in educational tourism activities . While it is the most popular form of travel among students, older generations benefit from it by visiting seminars and symposiums in foreign countries. 

This type of tourism is an excellent opportunity for travel businesses, transportation, and accommodation providers. They can work hand-in-hand with local educational institutions and governments to create attractive programs and enhance the travel experience to invite more people to come and spend their time in a location.

Many organizations exclusively specialize in educational tourism. Let’s take a closer look at some examples to better understand this unique tourism model.

GVI Company

GVI Company specializes in connecting like-minded people to enable them to collaborate on social development programs . They have tailor-made programs for people interested in internships, volunteering, and studying. The company is based in several communities worldwide and works with partners in those communities to deliver the best possible experience to young travelers. 

EF Tours has been a go-to company for teachers and parents around the globe for quite a few years now. The company specializes in bringing different student tours at very attractive prices. However, the attractive prices are not the only thing that makes EF Tours so popular. 

The company regularly includes new programs to ensure there is an excellent opportunity for all students who go beyond the classroom to pursue new knowledge, no matter how specific their interests might be. 

Meridian Overseas

Meridian Overseas is the leader in connecting students eager to study and travel to educational tourism consultants . They help students find the best programs for their needs in the UK, USA, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany. The company went even further, enabling students to take IELTS coaching classes to excel in programs where English is their native language.

Global Volunteers

Global Volunteers, as the name suggests, brings numerous volunteer opportunities in the USA and abroad to people who want to be part of the change. The company has a vast network of professionals and partners. Thanks to its extensive networks, the company enables travelers from all possible walks of life to volunteer in various organizations, from classrooms and clinics to childcare centers and farm fields. 

ACIS Educational Tours

ACIS stands for the American Council for International Studies. The organization was established back in 1978. Several decades of extensive experience and an extensive network of partners enable ACIS to deliver excellent educational trips to middle and high school students . 

The company has branches throughout the US, including those in London and Paris. They offer many unique educational travel products, such as culturally immersive tours, private tours, youth, young women’s leadership tours, STEM-focused tours, and many others.

Educational tourism is one of the rapidly growing tourism industry branches . It offers a unique value – a perfect mix of adventure and learning . There are many types of educational tourism, each one offering specific advantages. Given the range of benefits, it offers to travelers, travel and educational institutions, communities, and countries – it’s safe to assume that this sector has a bright future ahead of it, as is reflected in the projected global educational tourism market growth .

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Cristóbal Reali, VP of Global Sales at Mize, with over 20 years of experience, has led high-performance teams in major companies in the tourism industry, as well as in the public sector. He has successfully undertaken ventures, including a DMO and technology transformation consulting. In his role at Mize, he stands out not only for his analytical and strategic ability but also for effective leadership. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. He holds a degree in Economics from UBA, complementing his professional training at Harvard Business School Online.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

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How Can Educational Tours Improve the Quality of Education?

As an educator or school administrator, it is always your responsibility to be looking for new ways to improve and enrich the education of your students. With most students today having complete access to computers, phones, and the internet, finding new tools to improve the education quality your classes offer is vital towards keeping students interested and engaged. One of those tools is educational tours .

So how exactly do educational tours improve a student’s quality of education? Educational tours offer a variety of benefits that improve education quality, with subject-centered tours, instilling lifetime learning habits, helping students understand the importance of learning in context, developing their social education tools, and giving them a true perspective of the path they might want to take.

In this article, we will discuss the importance for educators and schools to look outside the classroom to create more fulfilling learning experiences, and why educational tours are essential towards holistic education.

Why Schools Need to Start Looking Outside the Classroom

Traditional education has taught us that the more time spent in the classroom, the more children can learn. Many supporters of classroom-intensive learning advocate for fewer extracurricular activities and more classroom hours hitting the books.

But recent studies have found that sticking to the classroom might not be as education and fulfilling as some teachers would tell you. Here are a few disadvantages backed by research to schools that prioritize classrooms and grades as the defining factor in a student’s education:

Grades Tied to Self-Esteem

A paper from the University of Michigan found that roughly 80% of students view their grades as a foundation of their self-worth . Researchers found that school grades were the most relevant indicator of predicting a student’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem.

Regardless of other factors, a student with lower grades would generally have lower self-esteem than their peers with higher grades. Children with lower self-esteem caused by grades were reported to have greater anxiety, distractions, and memory problems caused by the stress.

Increase of Cheating

It should come as no surprise that schools that put a greater emphasis on grades and tests generate more stress and anxiety in their students to score higher on every exam. While some might see this as a kind of tough love, there are lines that show we might be pushing students too far, to the point that they choose to cheat instead.

According to one study, it was found that 64% of high school students admitted to cheating on a test . And perhaps the most interesting finding is the way students rationalize their behavior – they still see themselves as honest people, and think of their behavior as an exception to the rule.

Another study found that students who are praised for their intelligence are more likely to cheat than others, with researchers speculating this is caused by the greater expectations on the smarter students.

Standardized Testing Isn’t Always Objective

There is more than just a correlation between minority or underprivileged students and low standardized test scores. The American standardized testing system is a decades-old system, with the standards set in a time that was much more culturally and racially subjective than today. Some attributes and understandings are simply privileged in these tests, with others denigrated.

Standardized tests do not truly assess a student’s general intelligence; they simply assess how much a student understands of the standards of the test’s creators. There is a reason why SAT scores have almost always been found to favor students from wealthy Caucasian families, with access to tutors and technology.

It is clear that much needs to be addressed with our general understanding of and reliance on testing, classroom-focused activities, and grades. While greater changes to our schooling system and the culture of schooling will take years to implement, there are ways schools and educators can start changing the way they educate students and getting outside the classroom today. One of those ways is with educational tours.

What Exactly are Educational Tours?

Educational Tours from Junior Tours are exceptional travel experiences tailored for the specific educational needs of any student group. They can help students understand the purpose of their learning, and see their education in the true context in which it is used.

With a fully customized, planned, and detailed itinerary, any school and their student group can turn the boring annual school field trips into an educational tour that students will remember for years.

What makes educational tours different from field trips? Field trips might be a lackadaisical bus ride to the museum, or maybe an overnight trip to a national park. But our tours are finely crafted to give students and their teachers and parents or chaperones a truly revelatory learning experience, with a tour guide assisting and guiding you every step of the way.

How Educational Tours Improve Education Quality

1) Subject-Centered Tours

The benefit of working with Junior Tours year after year is that you never have to look elsewhere for a different kind of trip. Junior Tours works overtime to provide any kind of trip you and your students might be looking for, making your desired subject the central theme of every educational tour.

At Junior Tours, we offer the following tours by subject:

• Drama: New York, Chicago, Toronto
• Art: New York, Chicago, Washington D.C.
• Music & Band: Concert Performance Music Festival
• Foreign Language: Montreal/Quebec, New Orleans, Chicago, New York
• Business: New York, Chicago, Atlanta
• Fashion: New York
• African American: Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York
• History: New York, Williamsburg, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia

Every item on the itinerary works towards enriching the learning experience related to your group’s chosen subject. We understand how important it is to keep students engaged and interested, which is why we will work with you to make sure that the entire trip is as enlightening and relevant as you and your students want.

2) 24/7 Learning Experience

There is no greater commodity than time, and the more people involved, the more important every minute becomes. With dozens of students, teachers, and chaperones involved, it is crucial to make sure that every minute of a field trip is planned and executed as effectively as possible.

Our leadership at Junior Tours understands the stress and difficulty of managing a large group of students outside of campus (believe us – we’ve been there). With years of tours under our belts, we know exactly how to manage and move a group from one place to another, turning what could be a slow and tedious field trip into an efficient 24/7 learning experience for everyone involved.

Educational tours from Junior Tours come with professionally trained tour escorts that will lead, guide, and motivate your students and chaperones 24 hours a day. Trips like these can’t survive on their educational benefits alone – students need to see and follow the enthusiasm and energy of a seasoned pro tour guide, who is not only an expert in their chosen subject matter, but also an expert at getting the most out of every situation.

Rest assured – you can promise your parents that every hour their child spends away from home will be an hour well spent. Not only will we make sure that every waking hour is spent learning, but that your students will start to see that learning is a lifelong, 24/7 quality endeavor.

3) Learning in Context

As great as it can be to sit in a quiet classroom setting and lecture students for hours with a whiteboard and their textbooks, with zero distractions and opportunities to waste time, an academic experience that offers nothing else can be detrimental to a student’s overall growth.

The biggest problem with classroom learning is that it is all, simply put, by the book. It creates students who are “book smart”; students who understand the concept of what they are learning, but not always the purpose of it.

Perhaps now more than ever, it is crucial for students to understand the meaning of context. That certain social truths aren’t always as objective as they might seem on paper, and that understanding how learning can be differently interpreted from the true context of a situation is incredibly important for a quality understanding.

With some subjects, the facts and numbers aren’t nearly enough, because facts and numbers can’t illustrate the sobriety or severity of what the students are learning about. And this is something students need to learn before heading off to university.

Whether it’s understanding the true importance of a historical event by visiting sites and seeing the historical settings, or putting your students in the actual city or culture where fashion, business, drama, and art thrive to give them the full taste of what they are learning, learning in context for students who are growing up in the disconnected digital age has never been more relevant.

4) Social Education

The smartest people are not always the most well-rounded people. Some people are geniuses in school, but never truly show it or live up to their potential because they are lacking in other areas of their growth.

Perhaps they never truly learn how to work with others at school, or they lack the right motivation, or how to transpose their learning and understanding into situations that involve group dynamics. If a school produces countless students that are incredibly smart but lack the social tools to apply their education to helping their community or even themselves, is that school actually helping their students?

Educational tours help students learn outside of the traditional classroom setting, which for some smarter students, becomes a handicap over the years. By taking your students on a field trip where they are forced to move, interact, search, ask, and see for themselves, we help your students develop or improve the social tools they need to truly apply their education in an active way.

Produce students who are not only intelligent but socially capable of applying their intelligence towards helping themselves and those around them. In a world growing increasingly digital and alone, students have to be shown that there is more to learn beyond the screen and the classroom by interacting with each other and the world around them.

5) Real Perspective

There is no denying that our students are the future. And one of the best things a school can do for its students is helping to set them on the path they might want to take. With an educational tour, we can set the gears in motion that will help your students kickstart the rest of their lives. While some students may just see the trip as a fun educational activity, other students will see it as the first look into their dream careers (whether they know it or not).

Educational tours offer students the real, in-your-shoes perspective of what they might want to study or become. It’s a kind of personal growth that is impossible to experience in the classroom or online, something that you can’t read about or watch on a screen.

A student might believe all their life that they want to pursue theater or music or art, but it isn’t until they are standing in the place where their passion is actually performed that they can realize whether this dream is right for them. Whether it’s asking for tips from people in the careers they might want to pursue, or just seeing the setting for themselves, the experience can be eye-opening for students young and old.

It’s a revelatory feeling that can make or break a student’s dreams, filling them with motivation or making them question their choices, but ultimately they will be thankful for the experience.

Start Planning Your Educational Tour with Junior Tours Today

Junior Tours has been offering tours for over the last 50 years, and we pride ourselves on providing countless students with learning experiences they can carry with them for a lifetime.

We customize and personalize every trip with the love and care necessary to create something truly memorable, and with no hidden costs and affordable prices, we make sure every student can take part in our trips. Keeping your students excited and involved doesn’t always have to involve technology – with Junior Tours, we can give your students a quality trip they will never forget.

Contact us at 1-800-631-2241 or send us your information and request for a student tour quote today.

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Send us a message, get a price estimate, educational tours | ea educational advantage tours, destination spotlight, discover puerto rico.

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Kate Barnette

Sun…Sand…Warmth… Throw in a diverse history, friendly people, outstanding cuisine, and breathtaking natural sites and what do you have?

The great island nation of Puerto Rico!

Home to so many things that make it wonderful and unique, this “Island of Enchantment” will surely have you falling under its spell from the first moment you set foot on its soil. While international travel may be on pause right now, Puerto Rico has the feel and allure of being an international destination, but in reality it’s our close neighbor. Because of its international flair and vibrant Latin culture, Puerto Rico is perfect for an educational student tour and, you don’t even need a passport. From the streets of old world San Juan to the rainforests of El Yunque, Puerto Rico serves up many educational opportunities for both students and their teachers .

Flying into the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s largest city, is most likely where your student tour will begin. Here you’ll discover old world charm rubbing shoulders with a modern and vibrant Caribbean culture. Some 500 years ago though, the city looked very different. It was a mighty and fortified city fending off attackers, but flash forward to today and San Juan welcomes people of all ages to come and experience their rich history and culture. An EA student tour will allow you to tuck into the local cuisine, patrol a centuries old fort, enjoy some free time on one of the world’s most beautiful shorelines, and so much more! The cobblestone streets lead the way to some of the best architecture, museums, and colorful buildings. All throughout the city you’ll find lively restaurants, unique shops, and Instagram worthy photo spots. Don’t forget to leave time to see El Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Cartel de Ballaja, and La Fortaleza, among other sites.  After you feel you have a good grasp on San Juan, it’s time to venture into the rainforest!

El Yunque has the distinct honor of being the ONLY U.S. tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. So there’s no doubt it’s the country’s most beloved natural treasure. Spanning 28,000 acres of protected land, El Yunque is sure to be a highlight for any student tour . Here, you’ll see firsthand the amazing flora and fauna that call this place home. With over 300 species of plants and just as many animals, students and teachers are provided with an extraordinary learning opportunity. Be on the lookout for the native coqui frog!  From hiking to zip lining to viewing towering waterfalls, El Yunque is truly one of the most dazzling places to visit. There is something for everyone!  If you still feel the pull of nature, then you’ll definitely want to experience Puerto Mosquito!

I know the name may make you a little hesitant, but you have to trust me as this is definitely a place you don’t want to exclude. Offering a great learning excursion, Puerto Mosquito is a bay that’s home to the world’s brightest recorded bioluminescence. But wait…there’s more. There are only 5 in the world and Puerto Rico is home to 3 of them! How amazing is that?! Now you may be wondering what exactly is a bioluminescent bay? Well, in the water there are microscopic, single celled small organisms called dinoflagellates.  When activated by movement, these little guys are the reason the water produces a blue light and in turn an incredible natural phenomenon.

Student tours to Puerto Rico also have the chance to visit the Afro-Caribbean coastal neighborhood of Pinones where you’ll find both delicious and authentic street food. The neighborhood of Santurce is home to a big art scene. With the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo surrounded by other art galleries and local shops, Santurce is popular with local artists and has a fun funky vibe. There are also the islands of Vieques and Culebra waiting to be explored. With some of the most stunning beaches and cute towns, it’s definitely the part of your student tour to Puerto Rico where you can relax and reminisce on the memories you’ve made so far.

Puerto Rico is often referred to as the heart and soul of the Caribbean, and with no shortage of one-of-a-kind experiences, it’s easy to see why. Regardless of whether your educational student tour’s focus is historical or environmental, there’s no doubt you’ll have the trip of a lifetime! I can assure you that while this island may be small in size, it sure does know how to pack on the rich history, culture, immaculate beaches, outstanding food, and warm nature all under one sun-kissed paradise. I invite you to come and experience it all with us, EA Tours , where we’ll make it a journey you’ll not soon forget.

Are you ready? Then vamos!

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Blinken to Travel to Guatemala on Tuesday, US State Dept Says

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the press at the port of Ashdod, in Ashdod, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Guatemala on Tuesday to lead a delegation to the a ministerial meeting of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the State Department said on Sunday.

Blinken will meet with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and other leaders to discuss enforcement, migration management and refugee integration, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Streaming services without student deals, additional streaming deals, college student streaming deals: check out discounts from amazon, hulu, apple, and more.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

College is expensive, but there are fortunately a number of streaming services that offer substantial student discounts that can help give your wallet a break. Students on a budget can take advantage of several deals from popular streaming services, including film, TV, and music offerings. If you plan out your spending and snag the right discounts, you can now enjoy several streaming services without breaking the bank.

To help you decide what to sign up for, we rounded up the best streaming service deals that are currently available for college students in the US. We've also compiled a list of popular streaming services that don't offer any sort of student discount so that you don't waste your time trying to find one.

Verification procedures vary from service to service, with most now using third-party verification platforms like SheerID to look into your student status. Be sure to check each platform's website for full details.

Amazon offers a discounted plan for college students called Amazon Prime Student . The program includes a six-month free trial for new members and each month after the trial costs $7.49. An individual membership to Amazon Prime costs $14.99 a month, so by claiming the student membership, you get 50% off the standard price.

The student plan includes access to Prime Video where you can watch shows like "Fleabag," "Invincible," and "The Boys." Prime Video is also the home to several original films, like "Being the Ricardos" and "Air." 

In addition to Prime Video, student members receive fast and free shipping on millions of eligible items, discounts on services like three months of Calm for free, and more exclusive deals that are further explained in our breakdown of Amazon Prime Student .

New subscribers to Amazon Prime Student can enjoy a six-month free trial and then Amazon Prime at 50% off the regular subscription price at the end of the trial.

Hulu offers their basic ad-supported plan to college students for $1.99/month until they graduate as a part of their Hulu Student Deal plan. The Hulu Basic Plan normally costs $7.99 a month, so the student discount saves you about 75%. 

Hulu Basic offers access to Hulu's full catalog of movies and original series . Hulu also features a big selection of network shows , including popular series like "Grey's Anatomy," "The Bachelor," and "Bob's Burgers." You'll also be able to stream Emmy Award-winning Hulu originals, like "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Great," and "The Dropout."

Hulu's Student Plan offers ad-supported streaming for just $2 a month.

Paramount+ 

Similar to Hulu, Paramount+ offers their ad-supported plan to college students at a discounted rate. You can claim a 25% discount on the Essential Plan, which brings the price down to around $4.50 a month. Unlike most streaming service deals, current college students can lock in this discount for four years, even if they graduate.

With Paramount_, you can watch CBS shows like "NCIS," "Criminal Minds," and "Ghosts," along with movies like "Mean Girls," "Top Gun: Maverick," and "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning." This is also the streaming service where you'll find all of the "Yellowstone" prequels. The service features content from Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, BET, and The Smithsonian Channel. 

The platform also includes original series like "The Good Fight" and "Star Trek: Discovery." Take a look at our full guide to original shows and movies on Paramount+  for more information about current and upcoming titles.

Paramount Plus offers a student discount for 25% off its Essential monthly plan.

Peacock now has a student deal that reducess the monthly cost by about two-thirds of what it normally would be. The Peacock Student Discount goes for $1.99 per month, as opposed to the standard monthly rate of $5.99. Students who continue to meet verification standards can renew their discount every year.

A Peacock account comes with access to several beloved sitcoms, including "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," and "30 Rock." The streaming service also has a variety of original TV shows, like "Poker Face" and "Apples Never Fall," as well as several top-rated films, including all eight "Harry Potter" movies. Peacock is also where you'll find this year's Academy Award for Best Picture winner, "Oppenheimer."

Peacock's already affordable ad-supported plan gets even cheaper thanks to this student discount. For just about $2 per month, you'll get access to Peacock's full on-demand catalog.

Apple's student streaming plan combines subscriptions to Apple Music and Apple TV+ for just $5.99 per month. With Apple Music at a regular monthly rate of $10.99 and Apple TV+ at a rate of $9.99, this student deal is more than 70% off in total.

College students are eligible for this discount for up to four years as long as they remain enrolled in school.

With Apple TV+ you can stream original series like "Ted Lasso," "For All Mankind," and "The Morning Show." Apple Music allows you to stream over 75 million songs from your favorite artists without any interruptions from ads. You can also download music to supported devices for offline listening.

The Apple Music Student Plan costs $6 a month. The plan also includes free access to Apple TV Plus.

Spotify is another company offering an exclusive deal for college students that combines music with streaming services. You can get Spotify Premium Student for $5.99 a month after a one-month free trial. The discount also comes with Hulu's ad-supported plan thrown in, so it's a great deal.

The student plan is $5 cheaper than the individual Spotify Premium plan which costs $10.99 a month. To retain access to Spotify Premium at this discounted rate, students must verify they are still enrolled in college every 12 months. The Spotify Premium Student bundle is valid for a maximum of four years and you're only eligible for it if you haven't tried Premium before.

Spotify Premium Student is about $6 a month, and subscribers get ad-supported Hulu for free.

YouTube Premium offers $6 off their individual plan to students, along with a one-month free trial for new customers.

This streaming service doesn't offer many original movies or shows, but for a discounted rate of $7.99 a month you can watch YouTube without ads, keep videos running in the background , and use the YouTube Music Premium app. The regular individual YouTube Premium rate is $13.99, so this isn't a bad deal.

Annual verifications are required to keep the student discount.

YouTube Premium's student plan is about $8 a month for ad-free YouTube streaming and access to the YouTube Music Premium app.

Though student discounts have become common, there are a few streaming services that don't currently offer any student deals. The following services don't have any active student discount offers: 

It's worth noting that Discovery+ only got rid of their student discount in June of 2023, but subscribed students were allowed to keep the discount for the remainder of their verified year. So, if you've recently started getting charged $4.99 per month, it's because your year was up.

For more streaming recommendations, take a look at our guide to the best streaming services . And, if you're looking for a compact smart TV or media player ideal for watching any of these apps in a dorm or apartment, check out these home entertainment gift ideas for college students . 

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• May 6, 2024   •   29:23 R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle to Get on the Ballot
• May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
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• April 30, 2024   •   27:40 The Secret Push That Could Ban TikTok
• April 29, 2024   •   47:53 Trump 2.0: What a Second Trump Presidency Would Bring
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The Protesters and the President

Over the past week, thousands of students protesting the war in gaza have been arrested..

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jonathan Wolfe and Peter Baker

Produced by Diana Nguyen ,  Luke Vander Ploeg ,  Alexandra Leigh Young ,  Nina Feldman and Carlos Prieto

Edited by Lisa Chow and Michael Benoist

Original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano

Engineered by Chris Wood

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Warning: this episode contains strong language.

Over the past week, students at dozens of universities held demonstrations, set up encampments and, at times, seized academic buildings. In response, administrators at many of those colleges decided to crack down and called in the local police to detain and arrest demonstrators.

As of Thursday, the police had arrested 2,000 people across more than 40 campuses, a situation so startling that President Biden could no longer ignore it.

Jonathan Wolfe, who has been covering the student protests for The Times, and Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, discuss the history-making week.

On today’s episode

Jonathan Wolfe , a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The New York Times.

Peter Baker , the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times covering President Biden and his administration.

Background reading

As crews cleared the remnants of an encampment at U.C.L.A., students and faculty members wondered how the university could have handled protests over the war in Gaza so badly .

Biden denounced violence on campus , breaking his silence after a rash of arrests.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jonathan Wolfe is a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The Times. More about Jonathan Wolfe

Peter Baker is the chief White House correspondent for The Times. He has covered the last five presidents and sometimes writes analytical pieces that place presidents and their administrations in a larger context and historical framework. More about Peter Baker

Luke Vander Ploeg is a senior producer on “The Daily” and a reporter for the National Desk covering the Midwest. More about Luke Vander Ploeg

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New census data analysis suggests Pennsylvania advantage for Trump and GOP in 2024

Recent migration out of Pennsylvania and between its counties could present an even closer 2024 matchup between President Biden and former President Trump in the critical battleground state than in 2020, an analysis of new census data shows. 

"Uneven patterns of in-and out-migration could work to make what was a closely contested 2020 presidential campaign even closer in 2024," penned Berwood Yost, director of Floyd Institute's Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College.

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In the 2020 presidential election, Biden defeated Trump by under 100,000 votes, winning the state 50% to 48.8%. 

Going into 2024, the Keystone State is expected to play a similarly pivotal role, especially given its high percentage of manufacturing workers – a demographic that both campaigns have made a point of lobbying in the early months of the election year. 

Since 2020, when the last census was taken , Yost noted that census data released earlier this month showed counties won by Trump had a net gain in populace of about 4,500 people. As for Biden-won counties, they posted a combined loss of more than 45,000 people.

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Overall, Pennsylvania saw its population decline since 2020, with a Census Bureau press release even highlighting Philadelphia County as one of the largest declining counties in the U.S. 

"The biggest losses at the county level were in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and Philadelphia. And those are two of the big centers of Biden's support," Yost told Fox News Digital in an interview.  

"And so does that affect his ability to win by large margins in those counties? That's a real issue," he said. 

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In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, "With just 35 percent job approval, Joe Biden is floundering in his home state of Pennsylvania. Between higher gas prices, surging crime, and failed Democrat policies crushing families at every corner, it's no wonder that Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth are increasingly rejecting the failed Biden agenda and supporting President Trump."

Yost stressed he can't say for sure whether the migration patterns both in and out of state will be detrimental for Biden, but he explained that there's certainly the potential that it could be, especially with the competition expected to be close. 

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The director pointed out that those leaving the Philadelphia area are "most likely to end up in the suburbs around Philly," which are similarly Democratic-leaning. However, those leaving Pittsburgh's Allegheny County are "moving out into places that voted heavily for Trump."

"Do they take their voting habits with them?" he posed. 

"Was it for jobs? Was it for cheaper housing? Who knows?" Yost continued. 

He further referenced Biden's near-record low approval rating, which "alone" could present an obstacle to re-election, per Yost. "The population changes that have happened in the state since 2020 do nothing to make this challenge less difficult," he wrote. 

In new polling this month , Biden's approval rating fell to 36%, while 61% disapproved of his job as president. 

According to the latest Fox News poll , Trump and Biden are in a practical dead heat in Pennsylvania. Among all votes, 49% opted for Trump and 47% for Biden, which is notably within the survey's margin of error. 

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Original article source: New census data analysis suggests Pennsylvania advantage for Trump and GOP in 2024

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Sleep number ceo, ec council president, honorary doctorate recipient provide inspirational send-off for 1,000+ graduates.

Celebratory smiles lit up the faces of 1,037 graduates as they crossed the stage to receive a higher education degree on May 4 from Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, UW-Stout.

Along with their diplomas, they departed the three commencement ceremonies at Johnson Fieldhouse with inspirational advice from three alumni speakers, who have become corporate and community leaders, and three of their peers from the Class of 2024.

“Practice the Greek ideal ‘a sound mind and a sound body.’ Practice the highest ethical standards, work hard, continue to learn, play hard. Do this for yourself, for your family, for your community, for the nation and for the world,” said Dallas Pankowski , a 1960 bachelor’s and 1961 master’s graduate who along with his wife, Edye, received honorary doctorate degrees recognizing their highly successful business and a lifelong commitment to learning, living an active lifestyle and philanthropy. “Go out, make it happen and be Stout Proud.”

Shelly Ibach was a student commencement speaker when she graduated in 1981 from UW-Stout. Now CEO of Sleep Number Corp. in Minneapolis since 2012, she advised graduates to be courageous and find their “red thread. A red thread is your defining characteristic, a signature strength that is as unique to you as your fingerprint. It’s an innate gift that guides you in good times and in times of adversity. As you know, it takes perseverance, resilience and courage to navigate all the trials and tribulations and find your path forward.”

In the Graduate Studies ceremony, Emily Berge , a UW-Stout 2002 bachelor’s graduate and 2006 master’s graduate, licensed professional counselor and Eau Claire City Council president, told graduates that each one of them has what it takes to be a leader. She encouraged them to practice self-care and be resilient leaders.

“To be resilient is to engage in activities that make you smile, to surround yourself with people who you can be your true self with, to treat yourself with the same kindness that you give to your best friend, and to protect that time in your day when you feel the most peaceful and happy. Because I promise you that life will turn you upside down at times but resilience will ground you.”

She added that she had to miss her graduate degree commencement in 2006 because she was nine months pregnant. That child, a son, is graduating from high school this spring and plans to attend UW-Stout in the fall.

“You probably already know this, but Stout is a very well-regarded institution. People know that Stout graduates are hard-working, creative thinkers and problem solvers. I am proud that he chose Stout, and I look forward when he can be like you all and be a Stout graduate,” Berge said.

Ceremonies were held at 9:30 a.m. for the  College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management ; 1:30 p.m. for the  College of Arts and Human Sciences ; and at 5 p.m. for  Graduate Studies .

Student speakers were:

CSTEMM ceremony , Kat Schlauderaff , of Chaska, Minn., digital marketing technology:

“Every single (graduate) in this room had to fight to be here today. The hours, sweat, determination and, for some of us, tears that were poured into our academics should not go unnoticed. For all the memories you have where you thought you wouldn’t make it, you thought you’d fail, or you considered dropping out, you soon will have the memory of moving that tassel and knowing that you persevered. You’ve made it,” Schlauderaff said.

“Embrace the obstacles that lie ahead with the same tenacity and courage that you’ve shown throughout your journey at Stout. Let the memories of your triumphs serve as a reminder of your inner strength and capability. Dare to dream big, pursue all your passions relentlessly, and never underestimate your ability to overcome hardships. Together, let us embark on this new adventure with confidence, resilience and an unwavering belief in our ability to make a difference in the world.”

CAHS ceremony , Genevieve Czaplewski , of Grand Island, Neb., applied social science and a member of the Blue Devil gymnastics team:

“What my diploma says I studied does not even begin to cover all that I learned during my time at Stout. My professors, classmates and teammates were the catalysts to such immense personal growth that I don’t think freshman me would recognize who’s speaking up here,” she said.

Czaplewski learned in a class that the point of Greek myth performances was to get the audience to think about what they want to do in life, what makes them tick and how that will affect the person next to them. Asking herself those questions, she came to new conclusions about her life.

“We are more than our degrees and our jobs. You have the power to inspire yourself and others with what you do. Move forward with the intent of sowing positive change in every facet of your life,” she said.

Graduate Studies ceremony , Sarah Jasa , of St. Paul, marriage and family therapy:

“As you stand on the precipice of the future, ready to commence in different directions and new journeys, I want to take an opportunity to remind you of the values of UW-Stout that have helped shape and guide you throughout your time here. Honor, industry, skill and learning. It is no small feat to pursue a master's or doctoral degree; it takes a true love of learning and commitment to bettering your fields with the skills and knowledge you obtain. You all have demonstrated wholly this powerful passion and commitment to a lifetime of learning,” Jasa said.

“I encourage you to remember the challenges you’ve faced and the obstacles you overcame, the countless hours you’ve poured into this degree and the many sacrifices you’ve made to make it here today. Each trial and hardship serves as a testament to your determination and resilience; you have proven yourselves capable of demonstrating the values of UW-Stout.

“The path to progress and success is rarely linear, it surely wasn’t for me. There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and even failure. However, my dear friend and cohort member Susie recently reminded me that life is not defined by our greatest successes and happiness, but the failures, setbacks and tragedies. It is the joys and small victories we hang on the posts of those defining moments. It is during these times that your true character will radiate brightest and allow you to fully embrace adversity as a catalyst for change and growth,” she said.

Chancellor Katherine Frank congratulated graduates on their achievement and a job well done, while providing examples of 12 inspiring graduates across the three ceremonies. “This is a world that needs you more than ever; it needs your knowledge, your talent and your vision,” she said.

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez presided over the ceremonies, which included music by the UW-Stout Symphonic Band and the Jazz Orchestra, directed by Aaron Durst ; and the Chamber Choir, Symphonic Singers and Devil Tones Acapella, directed by Jerry Hui .

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