Making the Most of Fall and Winter: Preparing Students for Educational Travel

Fall as a season of preparation

Even if your next trip isn’t until spring or summer, fall is the perfect time to set the stage for meaningful educational travel. With holidays, seasonal traditions, and natural breaks in the school calendar, teachers can plant seeds of curiosity and connection that will bloom when students finally set foot abroad.

1. Use Fall Holidays as Cultural Gateways

Halloween vs. Día de los Muertos: Compare the history and meaning behind these celebrations to spark conversations about how different cultures remember the dead.
Thanksgiving’s global context: Move beyond turkey and stuffing to explore gratitude festivals across cultures, such as Japan’s Kinrō Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day).
Advent and winter traditions: Highlight how holiday customs – from German Christmas markets to Spanish Los Reyes Magos – reflect values and beliefs unique to each region.

These comparisons not only deepen cultural awareness but also make future travel feel more relevant and connected.

2. Integrate Destinations into the Classroom

If your trip includes Rome, have students create art inspired by ancient mosaics. Heading to France? Build in simple conversational French exercises. Even if the trip is still months away, these small touches help students arrive with context and excitement.

3. Spark Curiosity with “Micro-Kairos Moments”

Virtual museum tours: Many world-class museums offer free online exhibits. A quick classroom tour of the Louvre or the Uffizi can whet appetites for the real thing.
Mini research projects: Have students investigate a tradition, artist, or landmark from your destination and share their findings in creative formats (posters, presentations, or even short videos).
Cultural food days: Trying traditional dishes (or simple classroom-friendly versions) helps students engage through taste and story.

4. Winter Break as a Bridge

The winter holiday season offers educators time to reflect and prepare. This is a great moment to:

Build reading lists tied to destinations.
Assign creative projects that link travel to curriculum.
Encourage students to journal about what they hope to experience on their trip.

Fall and winter may feel like the quiet seasons before travel, but they are rich with opportunity. Every cultural connection, every small classroom activity, lays the groundwork for transformative experiences abroad. Preparing students now ensures that when the journey begins, they’re not just ready to travel, they’re ready to grow.