Travel and education used to be two incompatible things in the pre-covid world. You either had to attend classes on-campus or commence a trip, period. These days, though, students get the chance to travel and continue their education simultaneously.
Have your kiddos had aspirations to launch a journey during the academic year? Worry not, as traveling and studying is an easy goal to achieve!
CONTENTS – In this article, youโll learn how students can have a memorable expedition and handle their curricula, hassle-free. This includes:
- The Educational Benefits of Traveling
- How Students Can Travel and Continue Education
- Whether You’re Ready to Give Them the Green Light To Travel?
- Tips for Successful Traveling and Studying
- Building an Appropriate Itinerary
- Ensuring the Learning Process Allows for Traveling
- Learning How They Can Manage Time Effectively
- Securing an Excellent Internet Connection
- Embarking on a Trip With Your Student
- Final Thoughts on Travel and Study
- Next Steps
25 Educational Benefits of Travel – Beyond Traditional Education
Before you decide that travel and education donโt go together, letโs first look at some of the educational benefits of traveling you’ll want to consider:
- Gain an understanding of new cultures
- Step outside the limited comfort zone of the โhometownโ bubble
- Build confidence and adaptability in unfamiliar situations
- Grow, as travel makes a more interesting person
- Have the chance to sample different cuisines, regional specialties, and spices
- Experience opportunities to learn about and experience different geographies
- Encourages tolerance of diversity through experiential learning
- Heightens awareness of personal privilege
- Develop real world compassion for different social circumstances
- Learn to navigate other currencies
- Practice limited budgeting skills
- Broadens perspective of different cultures, tradition, religion
- Inspires creativity and fresh thought through travel experiences
- Builds social skills and connections around the world
- Gives context to historic events
- Enhances natural curiosity and imagination, opening up a world of possibilities
- Provides exposure to different people and new languages in a foreign country
- Improves language skills and communication skills beyond the local language
- Better understanding of people beyond text books and the traditional classroom
- Makes a lasting impact on their educational journey
- Better understanding of the world and different places
- Reveals the transformative power of travel
- Minimizes the real differences between people in varied parts of the world
- Different way of learning art history, social structures, and the stories of others
- It’s a new adventure in a new place!
Now that we’ve made the case for them, you might be more open to letting your child travel while in school. In fact, some even say that traveling is one of the best forms of education.
Thatโs all good in theory, butโฆhow does it actually work, when your child has class?
Related: The Power of Travel Education Programs: Maximize Learning Abroad
How Students Can Travel and Continue Education
Is Traveling and Studying Even Possible?
It would be reasonable to answer this one essential question before diving any deeper. Many parents and grandparents may doubt whether it’s possible to study when being on the road.
Besides the pandemic’s horrible effects, it has transformed the format of education. Despite some flaws, itโs good in some ways that education has been able to pivot.
For instance, you’ve probably seen your grandkids or children sitting next to the screen and taking a class on Zoom. While not ideal, online education has opened a window of opportunities for students. It allows them to be mobile and highly versatile.
Hence the answer: traveling and studying is possible!
Of course, it changes the entire concept of traveling for many empty-nesters. Students won’t be able to stroll around the city for hours and take billions of photos. They simply won’t have enough time to do that. They still have classroom responsibilities and homework to complete.
Homework takes up plenty of time, especially for higher education. So, it is no surprise that students often look for ways to cope with home assignments faster.
Your child may wonder, “Is it okay to have someone do my essay for me?” That is a discussion you should definitely have with them.
For example, some students traveling turn to a college paper writing service to get a model essay. Then they can learn how to complete the project quickly and effectively and spend the rest of the day enjoying picturesque views.
Others time-block their assignments for late at night, since many college-students are night owls anyway.
Or, they may use down time, such as train rides, to squeeze in a few lessons.
Another option is to get some extra help from companies like Brighterly Math.
However they cope with the demands on their time, keeping track of assignments and deadlines, and scheduling time to complete the work is essential.
Are You Ready to Give Them the Green Light To Travel?
Another thing your children need to travel and learn abroad is your permission to go.
Are you ready to let them set out on a journey during the academic year? With all the possibilities described, some parents are still biased about the quality of a travel-study format. You may think combining these two activities will negatively influence studentsโ academic performance.
But let me ask you this: Would it be better to allow your kids to play video games in their free time instead of letting them explore the world?
Remember, traveling doesn’t necessarily mean they need to go to another continent. Even going to the closest city is very much traveling!
Try approaching this matter objectively. The benefits of travel should tip the scales in favor of letting your kids embark on a journey.
5 Tips for Successful Traveling and Studying
Okay, now that you have approved the trip, what’s next? After all, your permission leaves the same vitally important question: How to travel and continue education?
Below are a few tips to help students remain productive in academia and travel at the same time.
1. Build an Appropriate Itinerary
If your child is in college, youโll want to leave the bulk of the planning up to them. But for younger children, consider connecting with your childโs teacher to make sure your child can keep up with lessons.
One of the most important things is making sure they have the appropriate documentation to enter the country. So, for instance, if your child will be studying in Oman, you’ll want to check the Oman eVisa website.
Then, you can craft a route that allows enough time for travel, classes, and homework. Make sure your child wonโt be missing any crucial tests or milestone moments, like prom or career days.
2. Ensure the Learning Process Allows for Traveling
Suffice it to say, traveling and studying are hardly possible if classes are offline. We are behind several years of the pandemic and slowly moving back to standard courses. However, hybrid learning is still the case for many people.
If your child must attend in-person classes, traveling opportunities may be limited. In that case, they will be able to travel during weekends. Or, you can make arrangements with the school to let them know of your child’s travel plans.
If the learning process is hybrid, you can plan a more substantial and extended journey. Either way, traveling is possible, no matter the format and class structure.
Of course, if your childโs college offers study abroad opportunities with international travel, this is the best of both worlds!
3. Learn How to Manage Time Effectively
So, the decision has been made. Your child is going to explore the world. Now, you have to act strategically.
First and foremost, as they become more independent, you must allow older children to learn to prioritize their class schedules. Knowing when lessons start and end will help them reserve the necessary time to attend their classes. It will also help the student complete homework tasks and spend the rest of the day enjoying sightseeing.
This is also a great exercise in developing their own independence and sense of responsibility. You can expect them to make a few mistakes in the beginning, but that’s okay! They will learn from them. In fact, thatโs all part of the growing up process.
You may discover your child come up with some creative solutions around time-management, too. As they say, โNecessity is the mother of all invention.โ
When possible, watch from afar as your child develops some great problem-solving skills. (Helicopter moms, take note.) Then, they can figure out a way to enjoy their trip and tend to their education on their own.
Of course, you can always offer suggestions when they need some help. Ideally, wait for them to ask for it, thought.
4. Secure Excellent Internet Connection
Since attending online lectures is essential, your child must secure a stable and fast Internet connection. They also need to include this aspect in their travel plans. That might mean visiting a cafe, library, hotel lobby, or anywhere that provides good WiFi service.
On camping trips, they will need a reliable cell phone Internet. Make sure to handle that in advance if you’re traveling with them.
But, just so you know, missing one or two classes may not be a big deal if no Internet option seems viable. Just be sure your child knows the impact on their studies and their grades, and the teachers know if they will miss class.
Even in study abroad programs, missing too many classes can have dire consequences!
5. Embark on a Trip With Your Grandchild or Child
Finally, why not go on a jaunt with your child or grandchild while they are in school?
Depending on your capabilities and factors like the education format, you might be able to pack up a minivan and head out on a two-day or longer RV adventure. Assuming they enjoy your company, you can have memorable experiences without losses in academic performance.
You will need to design a travel plan so the student can cover his or her classes and homework. Plus, you will be able to lend a helping hand to support their educational experience, as needed.
If this is something you’d like to do, find out more about RV travel with your grandchildren.
Final Thoughts on Travel and Education
Gone are the days when students had to choose between studying or traveling. Now, incorporating these two activities is more than doable in your child’s school years.
Yes, it requires meticulous planning if you want your child to succeed in their studies and seize the moment in the local culture. As an adult, you may need to help set an itinerary that leads to their ultimate satisfaction.
Also, remember to be open to various scenarios. If you expect your child to attend every class, that it may not always be possible. But it doesn’t mean academic failure, either. So don’t take it too earnestly and remain realistic.
Otherwise, the trip will be oversaturated with studies.
Educational programs for college students and educational trips provide an authentic experience that can’t compare to the classroom. It leads to significant personal growth and life experiences well beyond your child’s cultural bubble.
To quote another, โAll work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.โ
The point is, itโs the balance of the two that matters most. In the end, travel really is the best teacher.
To keep reading about the benefits of travel at any age, click here.
Next Steps
If you enjoyed reading about travel and education here, look to these articles next for additional resources:
- Study Abroad Essentials: How to Unlock Global Learning Opportunities
- Is Study Abroad Worth It? 5 Reasons Itโs A Great Opportunity
- First Time Traveling Abroad? 5 Important Beginner Tips
- Teen Planning to Study Abroad? Follow This Easy 7-Step Parents Guide
- Studying Abroad Tips: How to Prepare Your Child for a Semester Overseas?
- These 7 Best Gifts for College Bound Students Are Also Affordable
- Top College Essays: 7 Ways You Can Help Your Child with College Application Writing
- Gift Guide: Best Gifts for College Boys
- Gift Guide: Best Gifts for College Girls
Photo credits: Photo by Vladimir Haltakov (Unsplash)