Travel and Intercultural Learning: Nurturing Future Global Citizens

Travel is far more than the act of packing bags, making plans, and crossing borders to see new sights. Travel is also a powerful experience that connects people and broadens perspectives, deepening our understanding and appreciation of the world. This past week, students from Ghaziabad, India, visited their partners in Daegu, South Korea, experiencing the transformative value of travel–its ability to open hearts and minds.

After months of interacting virtually, the students were able to meet face-to-face, experiencing first-hand the friendships, cultural insights, and mutual respect that had developed during their virtual exchange through the IVECA program. Foundations for the successful visit were laid through their exploration and exchange of cultural values, innovative ideas, and thoughtful reflections throughout their semester online. Their week-long visit brings IVECA’s mission to life on a new scale, showing how intercultural learning prepares young people for meaningful encounters in today’s interconnected world.

During their week-long trip, concluding on World Tourism Day on September 27th, Indian students were guided by their Korean partners as they learned about their host country. Supported by the Daegu City Suseong District Office, the exciting visit was filled with both Korean traditional cultural experiences, including a tea ceremony and hanbok experiences, and day trips to historic locations. Students explored the city of Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Yangnyeong City Oriental Medicine Museum, as well as a medi-spa for skin and beauty treatments for which Korea is known worldwide. Indian students also shared their culture with their friends, enjoying nightly indulgences in Indian cuisine and dynamic performances of traditional Indian music and dance.

Recognizing the significant experiences travel creates, IVECA’s curriculum often weaves tourism and global citizenship education together, encouraging students to explore the cultural, ecological, and social dimensions of travel. Through their virtual exchanges, IVECA students consider how tourism can affect cultural diversity, the preservation of natural ecosystems, and cross-cultural relationships. 

By stepping into unfamiliar surroundings with curiosity, respect, and commitment to sustainability, just as the students participating in the physical exchange this past week, students begin to see themselves not only as tourists on a personal journey, but as global citizens whose actions and choices can directly contribute to celebrating humanity and preserving nature. Such experiences create opportunities for understanding and cooperation that extend far beyond the return date on our tickets. The journeys of young travelers illustrate how global citizenship education and intercultural understanding can pave the way towards shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future, one trip at a time.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #Travel #Tourism #GlobalCitizenship #GCED #WorldTourismDay

Preparing Teachers to Shape Ethical Global Citizens

To launch the Fall 2025 semester, IVECA guided educators from Cameroon, China, Colombia, India, Korea, and Singapore through the Teacher Professional Development session. As an essential first step in the global exchange process, the session introduced participants to IVECA’s guiding principles, the structure of the virtual classroom, and practical strategies for weaving intercultural collaboration into their teaching. This preparation ensures a strong foundation for the semester and builds a shared commitment to advancing education through innovation and global connection.

Beyond orientation, the session created a space for meaningful exchange. Teachers shared their motivations, educational goals, and areas of interest before moving into hands-on exploration of the virtual platform. They reflected on their regular classroom practices, discussed ways to integrate global perspectives, and considered how the IVECA experience can enrich student learning. The mutual goal that emerged was to empower students to communicate across cultures, learn from one another, and grow as global citizens.

The central theme of the session was the ethical aspects of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Teachers explored how AI could be used to support human well-being and sustainable progress in a rapidly changing world. One teacher from South Korea remarked, “Using AI can be an effective tool in the learning process; however, we should consider carefully that the rapid development and misuse of AI may cause serious issues in  education.” These discussions underscored the importance of critical thinking and human responsibility in guiding AI, recognizing that its outcomes reflect the data and intentions provided by people. By the end of the session, educators had gained new insights into how they can utilize AI to enhance student learning, creativity, and critical thinking, skills essential for becoming responsible global citizens.

This semester is set to push learning beyond traditional boundaries. Teachers are bringing IVECA into their classrooms, introducing innovative approaches that spark curiosity and creativity, while students explore new ideas related to culture, sustainability, and global awareness. Driven by enthusiasm, teachers are guiding their students on a journey toward global citizenship, shaping learners who can think critically, act responsibly, and connect across cultures to build a more just and sustainable world.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #TPD #GlobalCitizenship #GlobalEducation #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #FallSemester #GCED #EthicalAI

Educating for Democracy: Shaping Tomorrow’s Citizens

On September 15, the world pauses for the International Day of Democracy. At first glance, the word democracy may bring to mind parliaments, debates, and formal institutions. But at its core, democracy is the practice of listening, sharing, and shaping the future together. In this way, it belongs not only to the work of governments but to classrooms, where the foundations of participation and voice are quietly built every day. 

Education is how young people first experience what it means to have a say. A classroom discussion in which different perspectives are valued, a group project through which responsibilities are shared, or an exchange where students learn from peers across cultures, all of these moments echo the essence of democracy. They teach that decisions gain strength when they are informed by many voices, and that respect grows not from agreement but from understanding.

IVECA’s mission is rooted in giving students space to think critically, express themselves, and engage with others beyond borders. These experiences nurture more than academic skills; they cultivate values of openness, empathy, and responsibility that form the heartbeat of democratic life.

Marking this day is not just about celebrating a political system but more significantly about recognizing the role education plays in sustaining it. When young people are encouraged to listen carefully, think critically, and collaborate thoughtfully, they are already practicing democracy in its truest form.

#InternationalDayOfDemocracy #DemocracyAndEducation #LearningDemocracy #GlobalCitizenship #EducationForAll #IVECA