50 Ways to Spark Student Travel

In honor of Hemisphere celebrating 50 years of providing customized student tours and youth educational travel services, we asked educators to share their favorite ways to “spark” student travel. Whether it’s a simple tip for your adventure or a way to ensure students bring their knowledge back to the classroom, these pointers are tried and true.

1. Spark student travel by encouraging students to ask quality questions about the trip. Good questions contain "why," "what if," and "how."
2. Spark student travel by encouraging students to plan ahead so they can come prepared to travel. 
3. Spark student travel by supplementing the trip with in-class project-based learning opportunities prior to the trip.
4. Spark student travel by encouraging students to explore the specific culture of the city they are traveling to before they leave. 
5. Spark student travel by helping parents understand the scope of the trip, with resources from Hemisphere.
6. Spark student travel by encouraging students to keep a journal on their trip. 
7. Spark student travel by having students reflect and write a follow-up of what they learned on their trip. 
8. Spark student travel by having students take photos and videos during their trip.
9. Take moments to reflect during the trip. 
10. Sharing is caring. Spark student travel by talking to fellow educators about the importance of travel and how it shapes the student experience.
11. Help students shape their career choices by going on a student trip. The lessons students learn during an educational tour are put to use in offices and workplaces well past graduation day.
12. Spark student travel by sharing the history of your destination and how it ties to your curriculum.
13. Spark student travel by helping kids become more independent. When students go on a tour, they are responsible for themselves and their decisions. They have to make sure they get enough rest, eat well, and arrive on time to meet their group.
14. Spark student travel by offering your students experiences they wouldn’t otherwise get to have. 
15. Spark student travel by broadening your students’ worldview as they experience other cultures and values from across the U.S. and around the world. 
16. Spark student travel by connecting everyone on Facebook, WhatsApp, or any other preferred social media platform, so everyone is always in the know.
17. Spark student travel by creating a private group for your students and their parents. You can use this throughout the stages of your educational travel trip to share information, build rapport, organize events, and keep everyone updated and in contact--even during the trip.
18. Spark student travel by sharing photos each day with the parents at home, and let them know that everyone is having a great time.
19. Spark student travel by creating ice breakers during the trip so students could get to know their peers better.
20.  Spark student travel by encouraging students to stay open minded.
21. Spark student travel by letting students experience the places you visit on their own terms (within reason).
22. Spark student travel and get students excited for the trip by putting a countdown clock somewhere in the classroom. It’s also a good thing to show during parent meetings, as a reminder.  
23. Spark student travel by encouraging students to set a fundraising goal early in the planning process. If you and your classroom have more time to fundraise, those smaller donations will add up over time, making it easier on everyone.
24. Spark student travel by encouraging students to get social in their fundraising efforts. Utilize fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe and DonorsChoose, allowing donations to be easily made directly from a person’s smartphone. 
25. Spark student travel by encouraging students to build a rapport with local businesses who may sponsor their adventure.
26. By sparking student travel, educators are instilling a positive impact on students’ education and career. 
27. Spark student travel by broadening students' horizons and expanding their cultural understanding. 
28. Travel has been proven to spark education outside of the classroom and according to research, many teachers believe it’s a more effective learning resource than computer-based learning or classroom instruction alone. 
29. By sparking student travel, students experience increased tolerance and respectfulness. 
30. Spark student travel by creating a quiz game to play during downtime on the trip that tests the knowledge students are learning.
31. Spark student travel by bringing students back to the classroom who have traveled with the school before to share their experiences and perspectives with other students.
32. Spark student travel by having a poster design contest, with the winning design going on your trip shirt.
33. Teachers state that student travel prompts a transformation, through which students grow their ambitions to know, learn and explore.
34. Research indicates students wish to travel more after a trip, which naturally starts a cycle of learning opportunities as a part of their future tours. 
35. Participating in international trips has been proven to make students more attractive to college admissions and more marketable to employers.
36. Student travel also benefits teachers, who take pride in seeing their students excited and happy during the trip. 
37. Spark student travel by encouraging students to get creative with their fundraising efforts.
38. Spark student travel by exposing students to new languages.
39. Spark student travel by allowing students to have a say in what you do on your trip. Even if it’s simply deciding between eating pizza or Italian, knowing they’re heard makes a difference.
40. Spark student travel by taking a sustainable approach to your trip, encouraging students to bring their own reusable water bottles, straws and more.
41. Spark student travel by encouraging shy students to step outside their comfort zone.
42. Spark student travel by showing students that trying new cuisine can be fun.
43. Spark student travel by offering students trust to be responsible in their actions while traveling.
44. Spark student travel by encouraging students to have authentic conversations with locals.
45. Spark student travel by having daily discussions about what students are learning--whether curriculum based or not.
46. Spark student travel by preparing students to be flexible if anything changes. Just like life, things don’t always go to plan!
47. Spark student travel by preparing them for any local customs or traditions they may encounter.
48. Spark student travel by encouraging students to always find the silver lining.
49. Spark student travel by rewarding those who show initiative on the trip.
50. Spark student travel by reminding students how fortunate they are to experience the wonder of travel.

Courtesy of Hemisphere Educational Travel.