Education doesn’t have to be put on hold during travel. In fact, traveling can be a great way to open minds, learn new things, expand horizons, and let curiosity and discovery take the lead on adventures. Here are just a few ways to combine education and vacation.
Museums
This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about educational travel experiences. However, it doesn’t have to involve standing around stuffy corridors and squinting at plaques. There are plenty of fun, dynamic museums that can make it exciting to absorb new knowledge. For example, children’s museums usually have interactive, hands-on exhibits that allow kids to play and learn at the same time. Living history museums are famous for their costumed staffers that perform demonstrations and answer questions while “in character.”
Educational Tours
Educational tours are exactly what they sound like: tours that have an emphasis on learning or experiencing new things. They can be scheduled through educational travel companies or arranged individually by travelers with particular passions. The Smithsonian Institution, for example, offers tours based on eclectic interests ranging from “Italian Cars” to “Inside the Russian Space Program.”
Study Abroad
Studying abroad can offer multiple benefits to the student with wanderlust. For starters, it gets them out of the classroom and into the real world, and they can experience the authentic local culture from the region of their choice. Another advantage of studying overseas is that it usually counts for academic credit when the student returns home. They’ll get to see new places, study new things, and earn new credits in one fell swoop.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a way to give back to local communities while also exploring them, discovering them, and learning from them. There are travel organizations dedicated specifically to placing volunteers abroad, and oftentimes, no prior experience is needed. There are also organizations for qualified professionals who want to lend their expertise to the citizens of another country. Volunteer work can open many doors for educational and meaningful experiences overseas.
It’s possible to see the world while also enriching one’s mind and deepening one’s appreciation for the power of the human spirit. Education can happen at any time and at any age. It just requires a sense of adventure and a willingness to try something new.