The Learning Experience of a Lifetime
Few things can have a greater impact on a student’s life than an international immersion experience. Global Explorers brings middle and high school teachers comprehensive educational programs that enable their students to discover the wonders of Classroom Earth. Our learning adventures may not be for every teacher or student. Rather, they are intended for those seeking a unique experience that is focused on education.
Getting Your Student Involved
There are three ways to get your student involved:
Option 1) Get Your Student’s School Involved. Traditionally, Global Explorers works with one group of students from one school or school district. This makes it easier for the group to get to know each other prior to travel and enables the group to easily complete our 10 preparatory lessons prior to travel. We are happy to contact your student’s school and set up a meeting to get the ball rolling. Even if you think the school will not be interested, we do a good job convincing students and administrators of the educational value of our program.
Option 2) Enroll Your Student in a Program with an Existing School. Your student can often join one of our already enrolled groups. If you are interested in doing this, we contact one of our enrolled schools and see if they would be willing to add an additional student. Most of the time, they are more than willing. The downside of this is that the students from the participating school will be getting to know each other in the months prior to travel as they fundraise and conduct our preparatory curriculum. Your student will have to fundraise on his/her own and will need to participate in the curriculum from afar. However, it can also be an amazing opportunity for your student to get to know new students!
Option 3) Apply For a Special Leadership or Disabled Student Program. Every year Global Explorers offers a few special programs that draw students from across the United States together. Though these programs still emphasize our core disciplines of science, culture, leadership and service, they typically have a stronger emphasis on leadership and often combine able-bodied students with disabled students. If you are interested in one of these programs, we usually post them in the month of September before the following summer season. You can contact us for more information.
Trusted Organization
Global Explorers is a nonprofit organization committed to providing programs that are educational, fun, supportive, safe and community-oriented. Our educators have spent many years traveling internationally with students and teachers and are considered experts in the industry.
Parents entrust the lives of their children to our care and we take that responsibility seriously. We take a pro-active approach towards safety. That’s why we spend so much time preparing students and our staff beforehand for the kinds of experiences they are going to have. While traveling abroad, students will always be within minutes to a few hours of excellent medical care. We work very closely with our in-country partners to provide the most up-to-date policies and procedures to deal with unexpected emergencies. Our staff medical training and first-aid kits are developed in consultation with a family physician who specializes in travel health. That physician is also on 24-hour call for consultation when our groups are traveling.
Respected Educational Program
Education is our passion at Global Explorers. Our programs emphasize four core disciplines: science, culture, leadership and service. Our cross-disciplinary, hands-on educational program has earned praise from public and private school teachers as well as parents and students. Global Explorers staff works closely with groups to ensure that each individual program is uniquely rewarding.
Our programs are divided into three parts: preparation, travel and follow-up. Using our Discovering Classroom Earth Curriculum, teachers prepare their students for approximately 3-6 months prior to their International Field Workshop so that students can fully appreciate the people, places, language and ecosystems they will encounter. While on the International Field Workshop, students have the experience of field-based natural science, cultural history lessons, and meaningful cultural exchange as we give back to the communities we visit through service. Following the Field Workshop, students implement a student-designed Service Leadership Project that helps them process their experience and incorporate the lessons they learned into their everyday lives. Teachers can elect to receive 3-hours of graduate course credit for taking their students through one of our programs—a true tribute to the educational value of the program!
Outstanding Value
Even experiences that are priceless come with a price tag. Global Explorers works hard to provide an outstanding value for its travelers. Depending upon the workshop destination, the comprehensive participant cost ranges from $1,750 - $2,500.
Supportive Staff
As educators themselves, our staff understands the needs of teachers and students. Our ongoing staff support is unparalleled in the travel industry and is part of our commitment as a nonprofit organization to serving your needs. As your group prepares for its educational journey, our staff will help your group’s lead teacher every step of the way via regular phone and email conversations and personal visits to your school. Our talented field instructors on the adventure itself will provide your students with an unforgettable educational experience. Finally, we assist your group after travel with the concluding Service Leadership Project.
Incredible Resources
We provide a diverse array of teacher resources to assist group leaders in the three parts of our program: preparation, travel and follow-up. All of our materials are user-friendly and adaptable. Teachers consistently commend us on the high quality of our support materials.