Travel for Teachers: 10 Reasons to See the World

World travel as professional development for teachers is a concept that might be new to some, but its benefits are profound and far-reaching. While traditional professional development often takes place in workshops or conferences, stepping into the world and experiencing different cultures firsthand offers a unique and immersive way for educators to grow both personally and professionally. Travel allows teachers to bring global perspectives into their classrooms, helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

When educators travel, they don’t just enrich their own lives—they also create lasting positive impacts on their students, schools, and even communities. By engaging with new cultures, exploring historical sites, and learning about different educational systems, teachers gain fresh insights and real-world knowledge that can make lessons more engaging and relevant. Travel fosters adaptability, creativity, and empathy, all of which are essential qualities for inspiring the next generation of learners.

Beyond the classroom, teacher travel strengthens cross-cultural connections and global awareness, helping to shape a more informed and compassionate society. Whether it’s through firsthand experiences with historical landmarks, conversations with locals, or exposure to different teaching methods, travel transforms educators in ways that textbooks simply cannot. Read on for GEEO’s top 10 reasons why teacher travel is one of the best things you can do!

1. Connect with other inspired & inspiring teachers from around the world.

Over half of the teachers who embark on GEEO programs start their journeys as solo travelers, stepping into exciting new adventures without knowing anyone beforehand. However, by the time they return home, they have built lasting friendships with fellow educators who share their passion for travel, learning, and teaching. The bonds formed on these trips go beyond just shared experiences—they create a network of like-minded professionals who support and inspire each other long after the journey ends.

Many of our solo travelers find that traveling with GEEO is not just about exploring new destinations but also about connecting with people who truly understand the joys and challenges of being an educator. The friendships built on these programs often lead to ongoing collaborations, idea exchanges, and even reunions in different corners of the world. In fact, many teachers who start as solo travelers end up returning to GEEO programs with the very same friends they met on previous trips, eager to continue their adventures together.

2.You deepen your well of inspiration before & after your trip.

Many of the teachers who have traveled with GEEO often say that their program experiences provide them with a renewed sense of energy and inspiration that carries them through the entire school year. Teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, long hours, and emotional investment. Because of this, prioritizing self-care is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Finding ways to recharge, both during the school year and on breaks, allows educators to bring their best selves into the classroom and continue making a difference in their students’ lives.

For many teachers, travel is one of the most fulfilling forms of self-care. It offers a break from routine, an opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones, and a chance to experience the world in new and exciting ways. Traveling with GEEO not only allows teachers to explore different cultures, landscapes, and histories, but it also provides meaningful experiences that they can bring back to their students. Whether it’s sharing personal stories from a trip, incorporating newfound knowledge into lesson plans, or simply drawing from the inspiration of an unforgettable journey, these experiences have a lasting impact on both teachers and their classrooms.

Your GEEO trip isn’t just a vacation—it’s something to look forward to during the toughest days of the school year, a source of motivation when challenges arise, and a reminder of why you fell in love with teaching in the first place. The memories made, the friendships formed, and the perspectives gained will stay with you long after your bags are unpacked, fueling your passion for education and adventure for years to come.

3. Spark wonder in your students & your entire school.

Many students may never have the opportunity to travel beyond their hometowns, and some may not even be aware of the incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and histories that exist beyond their immediate surroundings. As a teacher, your experiences abroad can serve as a powerful bridge, connecting your students to the wider world in ways that textbooks and classroom discussions alone cannot fully capture. When you travel, you become more than just an educator—you become a storyteller, a firsthand witness to the wonders of the world, and a source of inspiration for your students and colleagues alike.

By sharing your travel experiences, you bring far-off places to life in ways that make them feel more tangible and real. Whether it’s describing the bustling markets of Morocco, the ancient ruins of Turkey, or the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, your stories have the ability to spark curiosity and excitement in your students. You open doors to people, places, and possibilities they may never have known existed, expanding their understanding of different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.

Beyond geography and history, your travels can also help students develop a deeper appreciation for global interconnectedness. You can introduce them to concepts like cultural exchange, environmental conservation, and social responsibility, encouraging them to think critically about their place in the world and how they can contribute to it. Even for those who may never travel far from home, your experiences can instill in them a sense of adventure, open-mindedness, and a lifelong love of learning.

4. Be a role model for your students.

Every day on TV, online, and even at home, students witness bad examples of what it means to be a responsible, caring citizen. With xenophobia and closed-mindedness running rampant in countries all around the world, students need to be around adults who aren’t afraid of differences but celebrate them.

As a teacher, you are charged with educating the next generation and shaping the future. Your travels and openness to new adventures will help your students grow into the open minded, innovative, kind, and curious adults that our world needs.

5. Bring a depth of knowledge to your students that you can’t find in a textbook.

Imagine seeing the Terracotta Warriors firsthand and then getting to teach your history class about the Chinese farmer that discovered them when he was digging a well. Or imagine using the architectural design of Machu Picchu as inspiration for a math unit, cooking an authentic Ethiopian recipe in FACS, using housewares from a market in Oman to explain the chemistry of silver.

World language teachers already know that having one-on-one conversations in the native language of the place you’re visiting give you a deeper insight to the local culture & customs. Having first hand experience in another country helps teachers deliver the wonders of the world directly to students in a way no textbook ever could.

6. Take advantage of those long breaks from work.

Your friend Tina in corporate accounting may get paid double your salary, but does she have several months of vacation a year? No, Tina does not. Your winter break, spring break, and summer break are a chance for you to recharge, fill your mind with new knowledge, and jump back into the classroom with another passport stamp and lifelong memories to boot.

Every GEEO trip is subsidized for educators so that traveling the world is more affordable. CPA Tina can keep her 10 days of vacation a year, thanks.

7. Teachers are lifelong learners.

It’s no secret: teachers are the best learners! Travel satisfies your craving for new knowledge. It enlightens you to new avenues of research and intricacies in your subject area that you wouldn’t have encountered without leaving home.

8. You make the world a better place!

As part of their 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations has named global citizenship education (GCED) as one of the components to “a more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, and safe world.” One of the 17 SDGs is Quality Education, and GCED is one of the key factors in realizing quality education for all children around the world.

By traveling and teaching your students how to be good global citizens, you are truly contributing to a better future for our society & planet. If you’re interested in learning more, check out GEEO’s educator resources as well as UNESCO’s publication on Global Citizenship Education Topics & Learning Objectives.

9. You become part of a global movement.

Each teacher that travels with GEEO impacts about 100 students a year–that’s 100 future leaders who are gaining intercultural competence, global citizenship education, and fresh perspectives that they may not have otherwise encountered without their travel-loving teacher. Since GEEO began in 2007, we’ve served nearly 3,000 teachers, who have in turn shared global perspectives with hundreds of thousands of students. With our free educator resources, we make it even easier for you to teach your students about new cultures and the basics of being a global citizen.

10. Because it’s fun!

Seriously, really fun.

As you can see, on top of the personal satisfaction and adventure that travel brings, your experiences in new countries & cultures bring new life to your classroom, school, and community. Every GEEO teacher travel program is discounted 5% to 15% off what you’d pay elsewhere, we offer free educator resources to our travelers, and you can earn PD and graduate credit while traveling. Ready to book your teacher travel program with us?

Check out the programs we’re offering this year, or feel free to contact us with any questions. Happy teaching & safe travels!