How to Prepare Students for a Cultural Immersion Trip

Gaining a greater understanding of different cultures, experiencing new traditions, and learning new customs are what make traveling so beautiful.

However, culture shocks, a lack of open-mindedness, and preparedness can hamper students’ enjoyment of an immersion experience.

We asked our travel experts to share their top tips to ensure any cultural immersion trip will become a truly life-changing experience for you and your students.

Tip 1: Host a cultural day before your trip

What better way to introduce students to a new culture, have fun, and spark cultural intrigue than hosting a cultural day on campus. Take for example, a trip to Mexico.

Why not start the cultural journey with a tortilla-making cooking class on campus? Or if you are planning a visit to Buenos Aires, allow students to feel the rhythm of local porteños with a tango class. 

Tip 2: Encourage students to speak the local language

Language is the key that unlocks the doors to foreign cultures. Ensure your students have a solid foundation in the language spoken at their destination. Organize language classes, encourage them to converse with native speakers, and practice everyday phrases.

Fluency isn’t necessary, but a basic understanding will enhance their interactions and confidence.

We recommend duolingo, rosetta stone (for vocabulary acquisition) and Michele Thomas (for grammar fanatics) to get your students engaged in their new language.

Tip 3: Zoom them into a new culture online

If the Covid pandemic taught us anything it is that education can continue (in some form) via online meetings, presentations, and virtual experiences.

As a result, companies like Kagumu Adventures, developed a wide-range of culturally immersive experiences without having to fly anywhere!

Complement a trip abroad with an online cultural experience to help students connect with a new culture even before they step on a plane.

Tip 4: Read, research, and revel in new cultures

Encourage your students to become armchair travelers before they set foot on foreign soil. Provide resources for them to research the history, geography, and current events of their destination.

This background knowledge will enrich their understanding of the culture and foster meaningful conversations with locals.

Those traveling to Latin America can connect students to literary greats like Paulo Coelho (Brazil), legendary artists like Diego Rivera (Mexico), or modern-day musicians like… Shakira (Colombia).

Tip 5: Run a cultural sensitivity workshop

Cultural immersion requires cultural sensitivity. Educate your students about the customs, traditions, and social norms of a new country. Discuss topics like appropriate dress, greetings, and dining etiquette.

Understanding and respecting these aspects of local culture will help them make a positive impression and feel more at ease on their journey.

To get you started – did you know that everyone in Argentina greets one another with kisses. And, turning up late for dinner in Colombia is actually the done thing!

Tip 6: Embrace reflection and storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool for cultural exchange. Encourage your students to keep travel journals, take photos, and engage with locals through storytelling. By sharing their own experiences and listening to the stories of others, students can create powerful connections and lasting memories.

Reflection sessions are great opportunities for students to take heed of what they have experienced throughout the day and truly understand how experiencing a new culture has impacted them.

Tip 7: Learn the gift of giving

If you’re planning on truly immersing into a new culture you might opt for a homestay. This experience, one where students stay multiple nights in locals houses with families, often proves the most memorable of any trip.

Prepare for a homestay in the best way possible by bringing a gift for your hosts. Encourage students to research the customs and traditions of their new hosts to use as inspiration to choose the right offering. It is bound to break down any cultural barriers and could pave the way for life-long friendships.  

If you are keen to organise a culturally-immersive trip for your students in Latin America, check out Kagumu’s range of unique trips here.