In the era of globalization, classrooms seem way too gray and cramped for progressive youth. That is why educational travel courses become increasingly popular. They allow students to learn in an unusual environment, expand horizons and receive unforgettable memories.
It may be rather challenging for a professor to organize a good trip. There are many subtle nuances one should take into account to satisfy all students’ needs, make their traveling experience exciting and beneficial for academic goals. We invite you to read some handy tips for developing the best learning tour.
Plan everything in advance
Travelling may seem to be a carefree and fun activity, even if combined with study. But it also can pose some threats if approached without due caution. You should be prepared for any eventuality and know what to do to avoid troubles in different situations. Planning can take quite a long time, but it will protect you from adverse developments.
Decide where you will live, what you will eat and do each day. Collect information on documents necessary for crossing a border. Make sure all activities will pass smoothly and a group will have time margins for possible delays so that a missed train does not spoil your plans. It is recommended to clarify all these nuances at least half a year before a trip.
If it is difficult for you to sort logistics, turn to special touristic agencies for help. They have vast experience and can undertake all organizational issues. You will only have to enjoy a tour with students. Judge for yourself, it seems quite reasonable to hire an architect when a person wants to build a house. A learner looks for the research paper writing service when one wants to receive an excellent mark. Then why not trusting trip organizing to professionals?
Look for suitable price offers
Analyze the financial position of parents in your class. Consult a traveling agency on how their money can be saved. If moms and dads do not want to spend much, specialists can offer some cheap solutions. If a budget is rather high, a tour can include more excursions, accommodation in top hotels, meals from restaurants rather than fast food. It is important that all students should live and eat in the same places. Otherwise, young people from poorer families may develop an inferiority complex and feel sad because of activities they cannot take part in.
Try to make a trip accessible for everyone but still interesting and bright. Than all travelers will enjoy this adventure and find out something new.
Instruct students and parents
Your desire to organize an educational course abroad may be perceived differently. Some parents are rather enthusiastic about the unusual experience for their children while others have doubts related to safety, price and learning benefits. Hold a meeting where all their questions will be answered.
It is desirable to invite a representative of a travel agency to a class. It is quite possible that you will not know some subtle nuances. The risk is high to become an incompetent person in parents’ eyes. A specialist will explain trip rules, present all advantages of a learning tour in a vivid and attractive form.
Set objectives
Compile a timetable including all documents and actions necessary to prepare for a tour. Prescribe deadlines for each item. Approach this work as compiling a curriculum for your subject. You are sure to know learning objectives and ways to lead students to them. The same goes for traveling. Once you compile a clear action plan, organizing an educational course abroad will become a much easier task. Again, it is better to consult agency experts on documents and time of their submission.
Choose a study place
Decide where and when your class will study. It may be quite difficult to find a suitable place on the ground. That is why it is worth booking time in some business centers, literary café or co-working in advance. Also, you can hold lectures in city parks combining education with a picnic. It will be easier to find study space for small groups, assign a task to each of them and check results at the end of a learning session.
Leave some free time
Of course, there should be many excursions and entertaining activities in a touristic schedule. Do not focus exclusively on the educational aspects of a trip. Study new places, communicate with locals, find out interesting facts about the history and culture of a host country.
Also, students should learn about responsibility. Let them make some choices independently. Allocate free time for exploring an unusual environment without your supervision. If students are way too young to be left alone, plan creative games in which they can show their talents, hold gatherings where everyone will be able to share one’s impressions with classmates.
Research and analysis
Before going on a trip, ask students to gather information about a host country and test their knowledge using quiz questions. Upon return, young people should compile reports and write essays demonstrating what they have learned and liked most. Constant analyzing unusual situations and new places will help to consolidate learners’ knowledge and summarize experience gained. A good way out would also be to buy research about the country you wish to visit the specialized best online essay writing service.
When traveling, the main thing is to make classes fun and engaging. After all, students should feel that it is their vacation and not just regular days at school or university.
Pack smart
Find out what weather will be in a region you are going to visit. A wrong wardrobe may cause inconveniences and prevent young people from enjoying a tour. Compile a packing list with mandatory items and explain which things definitely will not be needed.
A group should have umbrellas if you are going to a rainy area. If traveling in a country with a hot climate, everyone should have sunscreen to avoid sunburns. If a climate is cold, hats and gloves will come in handy and help to avoid frostbite. If a territory is characterized by rapid temperature swings, travelers should have both light and wet clothes.
Use a travel buddy system
Divide students into pairs and say that they are accountable for each other. To quickly check whether no one was lost, you can ask each student to check one’s buddy.
Of course, organizing an educational course abroad requires much patience and thorough planning. But if approaching the task thoughtfully and responsibly, your students will benefit and receive bright memories for a lifetime. Define your objectives, turn to experts when necessary, make traveling useful and fun. Then all the participants on a trip are sure to enjoy the adventure.