School Tours Abroad in a Post-Brexit World
School tours abroad can change a student’s life. They give insights into another culture, allow immersion in a foreign language, shake up one’s way of thinking, and potentially spark a lifelong love of travel. And right now, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union after 44 years of membership, it has never been more important for British students to experience life on the continent.
There have been concerns that Brexit will result in the United Kingdom becoming more insular and inward-looking, but this won’t happen if teachers and parents raise the current generation of young people to learn from those outside the country as well as inside, and have a keen interest in the international community as a whole.
How can school tours help?
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness – Mark Twain
For a teenager, travelling to other countries can have an immeasurable effect on their life. To fly thousands of miles to see an entirely different part of the world is a crucial reminder of the sheer size of our planet and the role we individually play within it. And meeting people from other cultures and walks of life increases awareness of the diversity of modern Europe, and how much there is to be learned from one another.
Even after a week abroad, students might take these attitudes home with them and potentially maintain them their whole lives.
The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page – St Augustine
As with any foreign country, Spain contains wonders which simply cannot be experienced in the UK. Where in Britain could you find thirteenth century Moorish castles; beaches blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year; or White Nutella ice cream?
From a learning point of view, Spain is also one of the most important European countries to visit, as Spanish is a truly international language. Do you know how many people speak it globally? 570 million!
That’s 570 million potential colleagues, business partners, or friends. 20 countries open to the aspiring traveller. A world of possibilities waiting.
He who does not travel does not know the value of men – Moorish proverb
There’s nothing like travel to change your way of thinking and refresh your mind. Think of it as blowing away all the cobwebs and helping you see things completely differently. Some time in a foreign country can give students a chance to see their own country from a distance and maybe appreciate it more when they return. Or perhaps they’ll think the opposite and vow to move to mainland Europe as soon as they can. You never know how a trip abroad may change you.
It’s not just down to politicians and businessmen to make Brexit a success and maintain strong European relationships. Each and every one of us can do our bit, and by taking your class abroad you too can make a difference. We can do it.
If you would like to see information on how a school tour can help your school to keep up your European links, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
