Overseas trips present opportunities to experience other cultures and to build an appreciation for differences in terms of language, landscape, nature and economy.
There are many ways to use overseas trips and expeditions as a source of inspiration and material for wider learning. In this section you will find support and examples of how practitioners have used overseas trips and expeditions to provide exciting learning experiences for children and young people.
Skills development
Speaking and listening to a language learned at school can bring vibrancy and fulfilment to young people’s lives.
Eating different foods at different times in new places enhances life experiences and develops skills.
Finding your way round a new city with unfamiliar signs, traffic moving in different directions, and new forms of street life takes responsibilities to a higher level.
Cultural exchanges, with home and away experiences, make for 24/7 experiences that can last for a lifetime and enable the development of new friendships and links between education communities and establishments.
The use of ICT enables communication and allows geographical distances to be bridged.
When pupils learn adventure activities over a period of time at home and then carry them out at a higher level in another country, this can help to give them a sense of achievement and progression and can form the basis for in-depth learning and the development of skills.
Getting started
Planning outdoor experiences, transport and accommodation overseas can take a long time but the prize is a unique experience valued by young people, parents and educators.
Visiting our Useful Organisations pages will give a view of the range of organisations which can help. The guidance document Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning gives clear advice on the importance of using partnerships and sharing knowledge.
Health and safety
Health and safety issues are often, and understandably, a concern for those thinking of arranging overseas visits. The Managing safety section gives an overview of issues to consider.
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