In an ever evolving world, experiential learning or experiential education is at the core of student success. The simple math rule for experiential learning is ‘more the merrier’ and you must remember that. This is where international education tours become cardinal to the idea of holistic education and profile building.
Of course, there are various ways in which one can acquire experiential learning. Short online courses, internship experiences, job shadowing, and documentaries are to name a few. They can be highly effective, but an international educational trip will come across as the most comprehensive learning experience.
Here, I must mention that international educational trips are not only beneficial for students wanting to move abroad. Yes, at the outset, it seems like the greatest beneficiaries will be the ones who aspire to study overseas. Of course, it will enrich their overall profiles and set them up for study abroad scholarships or top universities abroad.
However, in the bigger picture, we need to look at it from the perspectives of learning and knowledge. When looked at from there, the benefits do not differentiate between students wanting to study abroad or domestically. International educational trips and tours can be equally empowering and life-changing for both.
I know I have used the term ‘international education trip’ quite extensively already. But what does an international education tour entail and what does the overall experience look like? Let me elaborate for you to make a better sense of the advantages these trips offer.
International Education Trips: From EduQuest’s Lens
I cannot really talk about how others go about planning their international education trips. However, I can certainly talk about how we at EduQuest plan and devise our educational programs and international trips.
In our thought process, the keyword around which we align everything is experiential learning. We want to plan our educational trips and programs in a manner wherein the room for experiential learning is humongous.
Having said that, we work on creating a perfect blend of experiential learning and recreation. Every international educational trip that we plan is high on immersive academic engagements in a conducive environment.
To elaborate, students get to learn from the faculties at top universities abroad, stay on campus and access facilities. Could there be an immersive learning experience of higher order?
Imagine, you get to study at the University of Melbourne or a top university across the UK, the US or Dubai. You get to be at an institution that millions of students only dream of being at. Further, you attend a specific academic program, let’s say in business, STEM, psychology, et cetera for one to two weeks as per your career interests. Can it get any better?
Furthermore, on the sidelines of the well crafted learning experiences, our international educational programs also have ample room for recreation. You explore the world’s best cities, witness fascinating cultures and visit the most iconic places on the planet.
In a nutshell, we create experiences that are a perfect amalgamation of superior academic exposure, insights into university life and unparalleled exploration. The idea is to give students a once in a lifetime experience that broadens their horizons and confidence.
With the extensive institutional partnerships that Silver Fern Education Consultants enjoys across the globe, all our educational tours are in collaboration with top universities.
Going forward, let us shed light on some substantial benefits of such educational tours.
International Education Trips: The Vital Benefits
- Academic Development
Unmatched academic development will always be the prime highlight of a worthwhile international educational trip. Nothing comes close to learning at a top university from their distinguished faculty during your high school years. Here, when we say top universities, we are talking about the likes of Imperial College London, University of Melbourne, UBC, New York Film Academy and so on.
Learning STEM concepts, business, management, or health sciences from their faculty for one to two weeks certainly gives you an edge over your peers. It not only gives you early insights into university life but also helps you explore your career interests meaningfully.
- Experiential Learning
The term experiential learning has featured here quite a few times. But what does experiential learning actually mean? Simply put, experiential learning is synonymous with the idea of learning while doing. It means learning through practical hands-on experiences in a far more comprehensive manner than textbook learning.
Now, it is an established fact that education systems abroad are far more progressive than the Indian education system. Besides, university education is anyway far more experiential than high school education.
So, as a part of an international educational trip, being a high school student, you can acquire experiential knowledge. Here, we are talking about attaining knowledge while being at one of the top universities in Canada, the US, the UK and so on.
Having such access to experiential learning in your high school years can be nothing short of a life transforming experience. Nothing comes close to experiential academic learning than an educational trip to a top ranked university. So, if an opportunity comes your way, do not think even twice before grabbing it with both arms.
- International Exposure
We often talk about international exposure as being essential for holistic development and being a global leader. After all, the future belongs to global leaders, isn’t it? So, one thing that international educational trips do is that they offer international exposure of the highest order.
Imagine, you get to walk on the streets of a city like London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne or Dubai. To further add to the amusement, you get to study and stay at an iconic institution like Imperial College London, King’s College London or the University of Sydney.
Now you tell me, can there be a bigger headstart to being a global leader than such exclusive exposure? Now, let us give this fascinating vision an academic context. On hand, your peers sit and simply think about pursuing a career in AI or any other field.
On the other hand, you acquire experiential learning in AI or at one of the top universities in the world from their faculty. I am sure you can visualize the kind of edge you will have over your peers on the other side of such international exposure.
Furthermore, international exposure will also add significantly to your cultural intelligence. Clearly, cultural intelligence is a key soft skill that reshapes your personality to become a global citizen. Being culturally intelligent implies that you can adapt to new cultures quickly and feel productive.
Yes, you can learn about global cultures through documentaries and movies but there is no substitute for a first hand experience. Nothing helps you learn about a foreign culture than actually being there on the streets and interacting with the natives.
- Personality Evolution
Traveling with your peers, staying in a university dorm, living the university life and being among university students will enhance your personality like no other. As you meet and interact with new people, you learn from different virtues, adding significantly to your personality.
From traveling abroad to meeting university students and exploring cities, everything adds to your overall confidence. Usually, high school students stay in the shadow of their parents. However, with an international educational trip, you get a worthwhile opportunity to move away from their shadows and empower yourself.
From how you manage your money on this trip to how you manage at the hostel, your personality undergoes a complete evolution. This personality evolution will be cardinal in all spheres of life.
- Scholarship Prospects
If you have attended a short academic program at one of the top global universities, the odds of study abroad scholarships will be really high. From the viewpoint of admission officers, experiential learning of any form is a plus point for students.
Top universities give an edge to students who have well rounded personalities and immersive learning experiences up their sleeves. Such students not only get preference in admissions but also stand a high chance of bagging handsome study abroad scholarships.
Having said that, as a byproduct of an immersive educational experience like an international trip, you might win a scholarship from a top bracket university. The bottom line is, almost all top universities have attractive profile-based scholarships for students who exhibit a well rounded profile.
Having said that, an international educational trip will be the greatest highlight of your overall profile. It can be a standalone experience that can have universities really interested in you for admissions and scholarships. I must mention, these scholarships could be in the range of USD 40000 to USD 80000.
- Networking
Even if you do not go back to the same university to pursue your higher education, the connections so formed will be immensely valuable. Imagine the number of high school students from other schools, university students and professors you get to network with.
The extensive network you are able to build over these two weeks or so will create a never ending loop of learning and opportunities. Today, as a high school student, you may not be able to associate much value to having a strong network but in the long run, it is absolutely essential to your growth. I must reiterate, it is equally important irrespective of whether you move abroad or not.
To Conclude
A meaningful international educational trip where you live and learn at a top university can be life-transforming in so many ways. It can empower your confidence, reshape your entire personality and offer affluent academic knowledge. It will be an unparalleled experience high on experiential learning and will give you an edge both academically and in terms of holistic development. It will be an experience you can relish and be proud of all your life.
So, if the opportunity to be a part of an international educational trip comes your way, make the most of it!