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In our connected yet divided world, raising global citizens is more important than ever before.

Conscious travel, especially when paired with community-based experiences, can be one of the most powerful educational tools for children, but also for parents.

As family digital nomads and travel enthusiasts we’ve seen how travel and exploring new places can shape young minds and open hearts in ways classrooms just simply cannot.

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Travel: The Best Education for Young Minds

We all know children are naturally curious and adaptable, that comes as no surprise. You will likely have seen it on your travels, and we’ve certainly seen it in our own children, those powerful learning moments of experiencing something new and different. Those experiences change you, bit by bit, little by little.

When children travel from a young age, they develop a deeper empathy, a fierce sense of independence and a resilient disposition. These skills are the building blocks that support the learner. And when it comes to mathematics, history, culture and so on, these children aren’t just reading or hearing about it. Instead they’re walking it, they’re breathing it, and most importantly they’re living it.

Simply put, there is no learning, no knowledge, more powerful than that.

And it’s not just the children who are learning, travel humbles us as adults too. Being in a new culture challenges our idea of what is normal and what is not. Whether we’re struggling through a new language or adjusting to a different daily life routine, we learn to stay open-minded, and at the same time we become more tolerant.

Ultimately, our children see us learning and growing alongside them, which is a lesson in itself, on how to approach the world with curiosity and respect.

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More Than Comfort: Hospitality with Purpose

Travel isn’t only about where we go; it’s also about where we stay and how we engage once we’re there. More and more in the hospitality sector, hotels and rentals are realizing that today’s travelers want an experience beyond a comfy bed and a lovely pool.

There is a growing trend in travelers who would prefer to find meaning and connection in their journeys. As a result we’re seeing more places offering a chance to give back or learn something during a stay. A volunteer cleanup, or a hosted workshop where guests can try their hand at a traditional craft. Naturally these experiences can turn a simple vacation into something far more fulfilling.

We tend to prefer the slow travel approach, staying in one spot for a month instead of a few days. In that time, we become part of the community by shopping at the market, chatting with neighbors, and picking up bits of the local language.

Our accommodation becomes more than just a place to sleep. We start to feel grounded  and at home. When a hotel, host, or program designed specifically for families helps us connect with the local culture like this, a trip becomes a life-enriching experience. We come away with so much more than a few souvenirs. Each time we leave a place we’ve made core memories, life-long friends and a true sense of belonging.

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A Conscious Travel Collective

The future of travel is slowly becoming more than just turning up to a new destination, and checking places off a list. Instead it’s time to shift our ‘why’ or our purpose. It’s time to get onboard the educational tourism train and find individual or family growth and connection during these adventures.

Whether it be a two-week getaway or a longer slow travel experience, we can and should start seeking a shift towards more conscious travel.

As independent travelers, we can seek out experiences that connect us with locals and who are guaranteed to teach us something new. As hosts, we can create those opportunities and make conscious choices that benefit guests and the local communities alike.

The trips we remember most aren’t the fancy ones – they’re the ones where we felt a real connection. We remember and talk about the real experiences, because they’re the ones that resonate with us in a way no luxury hotel ever could.

Raising the next global generation is a journey we’re all on at Boundless Life. The world can be our greatest classroom, and travel our best teacher, if we’re willing to let it be.