Raising Global Citizens — The World as a Classroom

Christie Holmes, Global CommUnityFTA Conference October 8, 2018

Founded on the belief that travel is a vital “classroom,” Global CommUnity aims to create future global citizens by introducing cultures, traditions, natural wonders and thrilling experiences to families with children.

Awareness, Curiosity and

Opportunity:

Clearing the Lens

Unintentional bias refers to the favorable or unfavorable attitudes or stereotypes that affect our unconscious assessment of others. These biases are automatic and are based on characteristics such as gender, race, age, country of origin, or other dimensions of identity.

engaging...shaping cultureWe have a responsibility to be acutely aware of cultural influences in all forms, but we do not have to settle that they will be the only impact on our children.

Ages 19-38

Generation Y is the connected, diverse

collaborator, shaped by 9/11, texting, and

the recession

generations X, Y, and Z

Baby Boomers

Ages 56-73

Baby Boomer is the idealist, shaped by Woodstock, JFK,

RFK, and MLK

Generation x

Ages 39-57

Generation X is the skeptical independent, shaped by latchkeys,

Watergate, and the PC

Millennials Generation z

Ages 18 and under

Shaped by…When the traits of

the next generation appear it is often too late

Source: US Chamber of Commerce Study on the Millennial Generation

When we travel we build understanding. If we stay home out of fear we do nothing to build empathy.

Engaging Unintentional Biases Much of our worldview is inherited, we must consciously educate ourselves.

Building Cultural Context through Travel : A Part of a Bigger Story

Travel, when informed by a sense of history, helps us better understand our

world in all its complexity. — Rick Steves, How to Travel as a Political Act

Innovation happens at the intersection of awareness and curiosity when creating opportunity

Mindful preparationengages kids before the trip even starts

Games, books, music, language, current events & recipes

“...a sense of cultural understanding that's hard to put your finger on.

With this in mind foreign ambassadors to the U.S. were asked to pick the book they believe first-time visitors to their country should read before they arrive.”

Almost all were historical fiction.

22 Ambassadors Recommend the One Book to Read Before Visiting Their Country,

Conde Nast Traveler, June 19, 2017

Creative Tours &

Age Appropriate Activities:

Putting History in Context

In the Future:

Mobility is Essential

Imagery

Capture Immediacy

Incentivize and Gamify

Greece: Tours with virtual reality

Building Social Context

Through Travel:

Heritage and Community

When a foreigner becomes a friend we have begun building the framework

of understanding and diplomacy. Traveling until No One Is Foreign.

Family DinnersA hosted evening around the family dinner table to dispel assumptions, learn about traditions and customs and to create friends out of acquaintances.

CommUnity Impact

Opportunities

Seeing how other cultures have fresh ways of solving the same problems makes one more humble, open

to creative problem solving and willing to question traditional ways of doing things.

Building EducationalContext Through Travel:Innovating Travel Through Partnerships

Sustainable CommUnity Engagement: Volunteering vs. Empowerment

Wendy Burke, CEOLa Jolla, California

Amy O’Shaughnessy, Founder & CEO

Piedmont, California

Bob Campbell , Managing Partner

Dallas, Texas

Carmen Targa. Vice President Leisure Sales

San Juan, Puerto Rico

CURRIE AND CO TRAVELSBetty Jo Currie, Founder

Atlanta, Georgia

Keith Waldon, Founder & DirectorAustin, Texas

Elisa Pozzoli, Co-Owner, Product & Marketing Director

Firenze, Italy

Jessica Griscavage, Director of Marketing

McLean, Virginia

Jennifer Wilson Buttigieg, Co-Owner & Co-President

New York, New York

Dasha Westerfield, OwnerHouston, Texas

Ideally schools will see the value of international travelin shaping the next generation and will participate.

In 2016 1.6 percent of all U.S. students enrolled at institutions of higher education in the United States and about 10 percent of U.S. graduates studied abroad.

A recent survey found that almost 40% of companies surveyed missed international business opportunities because of a lack of internationally competent personnel. When 95% of consumers live outside of the United States, we cannot afford to ignore this essential aspect of higher education.

Source: NAFSA Report

Partnering with Parents: Life Travel Mapping

Careful long term planning opens up budgets, sets goals and reinforces learning.

Cultivating Educational Partnerships Introducing travel into the core curriculum. Infiltrating the Academic Culture

— Creating a demand -- Advisor relationships— Partnerships: New Hope Academy

— Partnering with Administration— School Calendar — Interims— Creating Opportunity beyond student group trips

Raising a global citizen takes more than a village,it takes a Global CommUnity.

Christie Holmes, Global CommUnity, www.nooneisforeign.com