Travel can have an impact on various layers of our lives. It can enhance motivation for learning, broaden perspectives, and increase cultural tolerance and global awareness. The experience promotes self-discovery and self-confidence, improving how we understand ourselves as part of a larger society. Travel can also impact instructional flexibility, easing one’s ability to tailor learning for diverse students and teaching contexts, and finally, equips individuals with the critical skills and perspectives needed in our interconnected world. 

Our curriculum encompasses all these layers, which we have highlighted in our GEA Circles of Impact. This framework provides a lens through which we can more reflectively participate in the personal and professional growth our programs are designed to encourage. It also sets up the backdrop for our reflective journal and adds to the understanding of our program readings and guided inquiry-based discussions. We believe all these contribute to an experience that builds more culturally competent and aware travelers, enables us to more more compassionately take care of ourselves and engage with all students in more meaningful ways.