Crossing Borders with Students 3: Learn Before the Trip

I firmly believe that when students cross borders, they automatically learn. However, this learning can be deepened if they learn before the trip. A few weeks ago I began this "Crossing Borders with Students" series with an overview on leading effective cross cultural trips for students. This is how I described this point from the first post.

Learn Before the Trip. I know most learning will happen on the trip; however, pre-trip learning is essential to optimize the learning on the trip. Although most instructors may focus on the culture/history of the country, equally important are lessons about culture shock (and reverse culture shock), cross cultural interactions, ethnographic techniques, and group dynamics. Learning before you go seems obvious for a school trip, but with the busyness at the end of the year, many summer trips leave with little or no preparation.

Of course, the pre-trip meetings must include the logistics for the trip, e.g., packing lists, travel plans, emergency numbers, passports, etc. Unfortunately, pre-trip meetings often don't go deeper than these logistics. I do think that trip leaders embrace the fact that students will automatically learn when they cross borders, so they take for granted the preparation needed to optimize learning. In order to deepen the learning experience for students, consider the following elements before you leave.

History/Geography
The best way to show that you respect the country and its people is to learn about them before you enter their country. This is difficult for "American-centric" students who think everyone else sees the world as we do; unfortunately, this is a product of our educational system in which most students do not have a clue about the history and geography of our immediate neighbors (Canada and Mexico) let alone countries further from home. (Quick Quiz -- What's the capital of Canada? a) Vancouver, b) Toronto, c) Ottowa, or d) Montreal).

Each country has its own amazing history; learn it before visiting it. In our information age, to have a perfunctory and superficial knowledge of the country's history only takes minutes with a Google search; however, the more you learn the richer your experience will be in the country. Of course each country's preparatory learning will look different. When I led a group to Cambodia, we spent most of our pre-trip learning time with its recent history (genocide of 1970s) to prepare my students for our visit to the killing fields and concentration camps of the Khmer Rouge. We also spent time in the 12th Century for our visit to Angkor Wat.

          

It is even more powerful if the students do their own research. Transform your students into "docents for the day" to teach the rest of the class about the country. They will become the experts of their specific docent site or topic and be able to answer questions that may come up during the visit.

Language
Do your best to learn the language before you visit. Purchase a travel phrase book for the country, or do your own research and write down phrases from this list of 101 Survival Phrases for Travel. Another way to show respect for the people of the culture/country is to learn their language ... even a few feeble attempts at simple greetings will be appreciated. Conversely, not attempting the language, presents you as a "rude American."

Ethnography
When students enter a country with a learning-centered perspective, they become junior ethnographic researchers. Make sure that you prepare them in research methods. This needs to be intentional; provide training in how to become field researchers ... observing, documenting, collecting cultural artifacts, ethno-photography, and reflecting. I am always amazed (and discouraged) when student groups are not trained in these methods; unfortunately, this leads to students missing out on so much learning. Ethnography is also an important life skill (albeit a "soft skill") that will allow you to "read a room," better understand the culture of a company or neighborhood, and be a better listener and friend.

On trips with students, I have students journal each day ... usually with prompts as simple as "what is one thing you learned today?" or as complex as "what did you see that showed the religious nature of the people?" It is best to provide these prompts in the morning at breakfast so that students can keep their eyes/ears out throughout the day.

In addition to journaling, I also use a technique called "signature photos" to wrap up the trip. This usually is done on our way home (on the plane, in the airport, etc) and involves looking through all the pictures from the trip, choosing a favorite one, and sharing how that picture is especially meaningful to the student. This is a great time of informally reflecting on the trip, and it often leads to further group bonding.

Missiology
Many Christian schools and colleges will couple cross cultural trips with missions, even if they don't label the trip a short term mission (STM) trip. A vital aspect of these trips is to have students evaluate the religion and the role of Christianity in the country. Additionally, one of the objectives of this trip should be for the students to evaluate God's missional call on his/her life. In order to do this well, pre-trip learning should include missiology. What a great opportunity to learn about Christian missions ... study the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), famous missionaries (especially to the specific country/region), the 10/40 window, unreached people groups, and missions organizations working in the field. Unfortunately, the American church loves its comfort and doesn't have a missions mentality ... even on STM trips!

In preparation for trips, my groups do the following things.

1. We read John Piper's book, Let the Nations Be Glad (at least chapters/excerpts), to build a missions mentality.
2. We watch this powerful video about missions (also with John Piper narrating) to start a discussion on our call to missions and unreached people groups.
3. We discuss what the Bible says about missions and what it means to be a "goer" and a "sender." It is my hope that students realize that Christians have to be one or the other in order to be obedient to God.
4. We debate the STM movement ... the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly American.

Other great pre-trip learning activities include Skyping with someone from the country, team bonding activities, eating at restaurants with authentic food from the country, learning about group dynamics, and discussing culture shock (and reverse culture shock). Including some of the above suggestions in your trip preparation will empower your students with the tools to learn more as they cross borders.

btw -- Ottowa is the capital of Canada.