Five Learning Objectives, derived from contemporary 21st Century classroom theory, further allow Global Awareness Seminars to expose students to habits of engaged, hands-on learning – experience identified as critical to success within the new, borderless lifestyle.
These central objectives, customized for each seminar, are as follows:
Service Learning – Each seminar includes (minimally) a one-day volunteer service project where students work alongside host citizens, giving their time and energy for the benefit of their destination country. Through these projects, students learn more firsthand about the social fabric of each country, how to connect with its community, and ways to make new friends while working.
A Day in the Life – Participants leave the beaten path of monuments and attractions to delve into the daily experiences of the host country’s people. These “days-in-the-life” include local marketplaces, schools, businesses, and modes of transportation – fundamentals of life often lost to more traditional tours.
Environmental Stewardship – Global citizens look after not only each other, but also the world they share. Each seminar therefore includes guided visits and in-depth explanations of each country’s unique, fragile, and biologically diverse natural habitats, as well as lessons on how to protect these environments for the future.
Cultural Understanding – As global awareness begins with cultural appreciation, each seminar is filled with opportunities for student-travelers to take part in non-native practices, recreation, and ceremony. Students thus leave these experiences with new skills to bring home and teach to their families and friends.
Citizen Exchange – One of the greatest obstacles of global interaction is the lack of a common language. To address this challenge, student travelers take extended time to talk one-on-one with foreign peers. During these interactions, shared experiences and interests arise, often leading to life-long friendships maintained through the ease of today’s plugged-in world.