I hope we can get back to filling our lives and our student’s lives with beautiful meaningful immersive experiences again soon! Yes, culture shock is such a great thing.
Supporting Educators Before, During, and Beyond Travel
At Xperitas, we care about the teachers that entrust their student group to travel with us. We provide additional benefits to make sure teachers are supported when taking students abroad. Xperitas also offers rewards for teachers who travel on our immersion programs and invite others to join the Xperitas family of traveling teachers.
Financial Aid
Xperitas is a nonprofit educational organization committed to making our short-term immersion travel programs accessible to as many students as possible. We provide meaningful financial aid on a “needs based” sliding scale to create equitable access. Over the past decade we have dedicated over a million dollars to financial aid, scholarship and classroom grant programs.
The chart below is a guideline for financial aid eligibility. The minimum award is 15% of the program cost, and the maximum is 60% of the program cost. Award amounts will vary depending on the following conditions:
- Amount available in the fund
- Number of applicants eligible for financial aid
- Number of dependents in applicant’s household
Participants whose families have a household income of $60,000 or less are eligible.
| Household Income $50,000 – $60,000 | Financial aid awards up to 15% of total program cost. |
| Household Income $35,000 – $50,000 | Financial aid awards up to 20% of total program cost. |
| Household Income $25,000 – $35,000 | Financial aid awards up to 25% of total program cost. |
| Household Income $15,000 – $25,000 | Financial aid awards up to 35% of total program cost. |
| Household Income $0 – $15,000 | Financial aid awards up to 60% of total program cost |
My Contribution Page: Fundraising Tool
Over the years, we’ve learned that friends and family are eager to support students participating in language and cultural immersion programs. That’s why we offer My Contribution Page. This easy-to-use online tool allows family and friends to contribute directly toward a participant’s Xperitas program.
Please note that if a participant cancels their trip for any reason, all funds received will be refunded to the participant, not the contributor, in accordance with our cancellation policy.
Xperitas Coffee Fundraiser
Xperitas is excited to partner with Custom Roasting Inc., a Midwest-based, family-owned coffee roastery dedicated to crafting high-quality, ethically sourced coffee. Through this fundraiser, students can earn money toward their immersion program with no limit to how much they can raise—so the sooner you start, the better!
Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship
Up to four $500 scholarships awarded per program year
These merit-based scholarships are awarded annually in honor of two of our founders. Edie and Bob Green worked as World Language Teachers for many years before dedicating themselves to making language and cultural immersion programs available to high school and middle school world language students. Recipients of the Edie and Bob Green Writing Scholarship submit a blog post or a vlog following their immersion experience, to be featured on the Xperitas website and/or social media channels. All Xperitas immersion program participants are invited to apply. This is an especially great opportunity for high school students with an interest in writing, communications or journalism to produce professional work for their portfolio.
| Eligibility | You must be a student registered on an Xperitas immersion program. |
| Deadline | All documents must be postmarked or sent by email no later than October 15, 2025. |
| Notification of Awards | The Scholarship winner(s) will be chosen by a group of Xperitas staff and board members who will evaluate each submission based on the criteria listed in the above application. The winner(s) will be notified by email by December 9, 2025. |
Xperitas Student Contests
You can’t win if you don’t enter!
Send entries to info@xperitas.org
You may also officially enter via social media by using the hashtag #Xperitas2026 on Facebook or Instagram and tagging @XperitasOrg Photos must be publicly visible for social media hashtag entries to be considered. Contestants are required to read our full terms and conditions before hitting submit.
Xperitas 2026 Photo Contest Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility
Xperitas program participants and leaders who travel in the 2026 calendar year
Rules
Unlimited entries allowed!
- You must have permission from any recognizable person(s) to use their photos
- Participants agree to contest’s complete terms and conditions (see the link below)
How to Enter
Use hashtag #Xperitas2026 tag @XperitasOrg on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok
Prizes
- Grand Prize Winner | $200 Amazon Gift Card
- Second Prize Winner | $100 Amazon Gift Card
- Two Honorable Mentions | $50 Amazon Gift Cards
Deadlines
Submissions are due by December 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced by January 20th, 2027.
Xperitas 2026 Video Contest Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility
Xperitas program participants and leaders who travel in the 2026 calendar year
Rules
Unlimited entries allowed!
- You must have permission from any recognizable person(s) in the video
- Participants agree to contest’s complete terms and conditions (see the link below)
Video Requirements
- Video formats: Instagram Reel, TikTok, or general MP4/AVI file
- Length: minimum of 30 seconds to 1 minute Video must focus on your experience during your
How to Enter
Use hashtag #Xperitas2026 tag @XperitasOrg on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok
Prizes
- Grand Prize: $300 Amazon gift card
- 3rd Place: $100 Amazon gift card
- 2nd Place: $200 Amazon gift card
All winning videos will be featured on Xperitas’ social media channels and website.
Deadlines
Submissions are due by December 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced by January 20th, 2027.
Xperitas – The Bluem Award
Eligibility
Xperitas program participants and leaders who travel in the 2026 calendar year
Rules
Unlimited entries allowed!
- You must have permission from any recognizable person(s) to use their photos
- Participants agree to contest’s complete terms and conditions (see the link below)
How to Enter
Use hashtag #Xperitas2026 tag @XperitasOrg on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok
Prizes
- Grand Prize: $100 Amazon gift card
Deadlines
Submissions are due by December 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced by January 20th, 2027.
The Bluem Award is focused on images of the flora and fauna in your travel destinations. Channel your inner naturalist for this new category! This award was created in honor of Xperitas Air Manager, Debby Bluem, celebrating her 25 years of dedication before her retirement.
Experiential Learning
Fully Supported Programs
Real-World Immersion
Hear From Other Teachers and Students
The partners in Costa Rica are fabulous! Everything was well-organized, and kids were always engaged. Our guide, Jimmy, truly is an educator and ambassador of his country. All of the students and leaders really enjoyed his personality, love of his country and knowledge. The Family Stay Experience was also very wonderful!
The first day, I immediately went up in a restaurant and ordered my food in full German. That confidence and encouragement from the restaurant staff set me up to feel confident in my skills and I was extremely proud of myself! Be open to new experiences. It’s a whole new culture and way of life, so if you seclude yourself from really cool opportunities, you won’t get as much out of everything!
Immersing students in the language and culture are keys to a successful trip overseas with students, and I can always count on our in-country Xperitas guides to communicate exclusively in the target language with our students while showing them a new culture.
It was really amazing. I got to hang out with my friends and classmates while touring Berlin and then I got to experience German life with my host family. Spending time with my classmates from America in the German school also made it more fun, since I could still hangout with friends and make new ones in a different language. I saw beautiful sights and ate wonderful food and got to see a sliver of German life and a little bit of the world too.
Plan Your Program with Confidence
Xperitas supports teachers at every stage, with a dedicated program manager, trusted local partners abroad, and 24/7 emergency support throughout the program.
