On the Importance of Global Education and Cultural Immersion for Students—Our Future Workforce
“Education gives us a profound understanding that we are tied together as citizens of the global community, and that our challenges are interconnected.” - Ban Ki-Moon, Former UN Secretary-General
There are questions floating on the air right now for many of us, including our students. Questions surrounding identity, inclusion, community, and interconnectedness. Questions about where to go next and what our world could look like a decade from now.
These are questions that schools and universities can step up to help answer by offering programs that give their students the chance to dig deeper and be more prepared for their future in a globalized world. Cultural competency is more important than ever, and education plays a crucial role in equipping students with tools and skills that they will need to thrive in this ever-changing, complex, and multicultural world.
“Economically, environmentally, socially, and politically, we are linked to other people on the planet as never before. With the transformations that the world has gone through in the past decades—expansion of digital technology, international travel and migration, economic crises, conflicts, and environmental degradation—how we work, teach and learn has to change, too.” - UNESCO
Educational travel—and importantly, the meaningful cultural immersion that can be carefully built into these programs—can give students a strong foundation. It can foster an open mind and curiosity about other ways of thinking and living by allowing them to interact with people from many different backgrounds, pointing them toward becoming well-informed, active global citizens and leaders who lean into compassion.
A LOOK AT THE RESEARCH
In Global Leadership: The Next Generation by M. Goldsmith et al, it was revealed that one of the top traits human resource managers from global organizations valued was the use of global considerations for decision-making. Meanwhile, a 2018 Journal of Management Education article by J. Walker talks about how the demand for global leadership skills outweighs the supply.
This is a gap. that educators can identify and step into, a space to build opportunities for students to develop key global competencies that will allow them to stand out from their peers on grad school applications and in future job interviews.
There are many studies (far too many to note here) showing that—from building cross-cultural communication skills to pushing students to be more adaptable—immersive travel experiences are good for business.
One example is 2021 research from MIT Sloan Assistant Professor Jackson Lu which shows that multicultural experiences can make individuals better communicators and more effective leaders. In a related paper, he explains that international experiences expose a person to different customs, norms, values, and communication styles and that the person must learn to navigate the nuances of each culture, as well as listen to and connect with the people living there. Those experiences result in a skill set that makes someone “more likely to adapt and frame their communication in a language that a contact can understand,” he wrote. “They may also display more respect, patience, and sensitivity to others’ feelings and needs, and employ situationally appropriate words, vocal tones, body gestures, and facial expressions.”
Published in the Journal of Leadership Education, a study by Evan Witt explored the role of short-term study abroad programs in provoking an understanding of global leadership. He wrote that “Short-term study abroad programs place participants in a global context, which creates a new frame of global reference for their experiences. They are removed from the ethnocentrism that characterizes much of American culture and it places them in new spaces with distinct cultures, histories, and traditions. This becomes the backdrop for understanding global leadership.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL IMMERSION
Travel for the sake of travel—for sightseeing, relaxation, and escape from daily life—is wonderful… but it’s very different from educational travel. One of the key elements that differentiates study abroad programs from vacation is the intentional cultural immersion they incorporate. This is where the magic happens—where true personal and professional development takes shape.
Take, for example, our programs in Peru. Our students there aren’t just landmark-hopping and picking up souvenirs; they’re sharing meals and conversations with their local host family, learning not only the language but the subtleties of communication in a very different culture, spending time listening to the sounds of a bustling morning market which brings people together as a community, navigating public transportation, interacting with artisans while they learn about traditional craftsmanship and the social significance of weaving techniques passed down through generations, and hearing firsthand from Peruvian entrepreneurs on how they balance sustainability plus respect for culture and tradition plus innovation to keep up in a changing world.
Students take home real-world impressions on empathy, resilience, and community. They are challenged to slow down, observe, ask questions, and appreciate a different way of life, a different way of thinking. They gain empathy, critical thinking skills, flexibility, resilience, creative problem-solving abilities, and so much more that will serve them well as they move through the complexities of life.
Combine an experiential learning itinerary like that above with an academic element—all of which is guided by clearly defined learning objectives as well as time for both group and personal reflection—and it’s easy to see how impactful these programs can be for students who are shaping their worldview and identity and building crucial skills and character traits that will lead them into their future.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC TRAVEL
Not every student has the means to board a plane for an international adventure, but there is huge value to be gained from travel within the borders of our own country too, which can often be overlooked.
These experiences can also be deeply enriching and serve as a powerful foundation for a global education. Domestic travel programs challenge students to see the diversity that exists on their doorstep and, through intentional experiences and connections that immerse them in different communities and cultures, they are also able to cultivate an open mindset and curiosity that will serve them well in a global workforce.
Take New Orleans as an example. This is a city that is built on layers of history and resilience where a fusion of different cultures brings together French, Spanish, African, and Indigenous influences. There are opportunities here to explore Creole and Cajun traditions through cooking workshops, through the local music scene perhaps attending a jazz rehearsal where they can interact with the musicians carrying on the legacy of this genre, and through meetings with local activists who are participating in projects to restore the wetlands or working with marginalized communities. Students will learn about migration, adaptation, and in many cases, survival.
Another domestic is for students to gain a better understanding of the Native American nations by learning from Indigenous leaders and local resources about the history, traditions, and philosophies that have shaped these communities, about their deep connection to the environment and the land, and about their unique community structures.
Cultural immersion doesn’t necessarily have to mean international; the real value comes from engaging mindfully and intentionally with people and places where life might be approached a little differently.
A RIPPLE EFFECT
When schools and universities prioritize cultural immersion programs in their strategies to provide students with a global education, they’re not only benefiting the groups of students who physically travel, but—through a ripple effect—the wider community too.
The students who are impacted directly by these experiences often become more interested and involved in complex issues and can contribute to discussions with a more informed perspective. For example, a student who studied climate change in Italy might learn about sustainable farming practices in Tuscany or a student who visited Peru may have seen firsthand the impact of deforestation on communities in the Amazon. These concepts which were once abstract now come to life. Students can articulate their findings to others through accessible storytelling and think differently about global challenges generally.
We’ve all seen the polarization and opportunities for misinformation in our current world. We believe that programs that promote understanding of differences and the importance of dialogue can point us in the right direction toward a more peaceful society. Study abroad alumni so often come home as engaged global citizens who advocate for others in their communities, and this can lead to real change.
WORKING WITH EDODYSSEY
Our work at EdOdyssey is guided by five core values, which are, briefly:
Authenticity in connection. We believe in fostering relationships rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose.
Compassion for people and cultures. We approach each person and culture we encounter with respect, curiosity, and care, honor the communities we engage with, and cultivate a culture of empathy.
Excellence with ownership. We hold ourselves accountable to deliver exceptional outcomes through organization, resilience, and initiative.
Passion for lifelong learning. We’re as eager to teach as we are to learn. We embrace curiosity, humility, and a growth mindset, constantly learning from each other, our clients, and the world around us.
Be the solution. We approach challenges with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, seeking opportunities to adapt and innovate, and leaning into collaboration and responsibility.
Cultural immersion is a key element in each program that we design for our partner schools and universities. We ensure each itinerary aligns with the vision of our faculty leaders and their academic objectives. This means that not only can you trust us that your program will be logistically sound, but also have a deep impact on your students.
As we look ahead to what the future might hold—for students, and for our communities—the message is clear: Cultural immersion has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Whether it’s through domestic travel or arranging for adventures to be had further afield, students will benefit greatly when they are better equipped to navigate and contribute to an increasingly complicated and hyper-connected world. It’s time to transform education from what has traditionally been a largely static delivery of information into a true dynamic ongoing process of discovery, connection, and growth.
Schools and universities embracing the responsibility of preparing students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of them will find an ally in educational travel, in embracing cultural immersion as key to global education, and in our team here at EdOdyssey. We’re here to support you as you shape the next generation of changemakers—of students who head out into the world well-equipped to not only engage with the world but also to improve it.
