There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in a foreign culture to gain a true understanding and appreciation for it. The only way to truly understand another culture is to experience it firsthand. This is not just knowing about it from a book; it’s about gaining an appreciation for a different worldview.
Immersing students in a different country can create a life-changing experience they can’t get any other way, helping shape them into truly global citizens. However, before we all grab our passports and rush for the airport, there are a few additional considerations to make when planning an overseas trip versus one closer to home.
The Three Pillars of International Trip Planning
A successful international tour is built on a foundation of clear purpose, local expertise, and diligent preparation.
1. Defining Your Educational 'Why'
Is this a holiday or an educational experience? Wanting to go overseas because it sounds fun is dramatically different from going to Japan to visit historic temples and immerse students in the religious culture of the country for studies in comparative religion. Having a clear educational outcome is the basis for a powerful experience and is critical for the approval process.
2. The Local Knowledge Imperative: Guide vs. DIY
What you can do on your own holiday isn’t the same as what you can do with a group of students. Do you know the nearest medical facilities? Which areas should you avoid? Without this local knowledge, the risk posed by a DIY approach is considerably higher. A good, reputable local guide allows you to focus on the educational value of the experience and helps ensure you have robust support systems in place.
3. Navigating Cultural & Security Realities
We’re blessed in Australia to have a stable and well-ordered society, but this is not the case for many other countries.
Official Advice: Always check and monitor the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Smart Traveller website and register your group before you go.
Cultural Briefings:
Briefing students on what is and isn’t acceptable is critical. A selfie in front of a government building, chewing gum, or wearing certain clothing can have serious consequences in other countries. Staff and students must be aware of these cultural and local differences.
Managing an overseas tour requires a central hub for all this complexity. School excursion risk assessment software like Xcursion Planner allows you to store passport details, flight itineraries, local guide contacts, DFAT registration proof, and student medical information in one accessible and secure place.
Bringing It to Life: A Cultural Immersion in Japan
One of the most amazing international trips I’ve organised was a tour to Japan. The educational aim was to provide an immersive experience in the history and culture of Japan with a focus on the medieval Shogunate.
You can never really appreciate history until you stand before an enormous fortress like Himeji Castle, which dominates the landscape. Seeing how the modern city has developed around it provides incredible depth to the students’ understanding. We also visited Zenkō-ji, a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century. The temple has a massive statue of the Buddha concealed inside it that nobody has seen since 654 AD. This led to a great philosophical discussion: if a statue exists where nobody can see it, does it really exist?
These are the sorts of fascinating discussions you just don’t get in a regular classroom. Add Japanese signs, a traditional tea ceremony, and sleeping on a futon on a bamboo matted floor, and you have a unique experience that the students will cherish for a lifetime.
While there are many additional preparations for all overseas trips, the value of these experiences is immense. They can be some of the most memorable educational experiences students will ever have. This year, why not plan something new? It’s time for wheels up for the adventure of a lifetime!
