Global Citizens Blog
Xperitas language immersion programs open minds, connect people and transform lives. Sharing those stories is important too! It is a powerful way to inspire others to travel outside of their comfort zone. Your perspective is valued by those who have not yet made a journey or used the language they have learned in an authentic setting. They want to know what you experienced in another country and how you felt being a “temporary local” within another culture.
Have you traveled with us? Share your Xperitas immersion story.
The Global Citizens Blog features stories from Student Alumni, Teachers, Group Leaders, Parents and staff -- all of the diverse voices that make up our interconnected global experience. Additional content includes recipes, photos, short videos and more!
See What Others Have Shared
Recently, we profiled Xperitas Board member and retired French Teacher, Jane Ditewig. Jane was and is a much beloved teacher at R.A. Long High School in Longview Washington. This summer Jane heard from Brad Carnine, one of her students from more than 20 years ago. He said we could share his letter with you. We hope every teacher who reads this letter is reminded of what an important job you do and how you all are changing the lives of your students.
Board Member, Jan Ditewig, grew up in a small town in Washington and was always drawn to languages. When the family across the street hosted a French exchange student, she seemed exotic and fascinating to Jane. Read about her language immersion experiences and journey to becoming a language teacher.
The recent Xperitas special event with Rick Steves "Why We Travel," inspired participant educators to reflect on why they travel with students.
In 8th grade middle school, I had to pick a language to study, and being half Mexican, my mom wouldn’t let me take Spanish since I already used it in my everyday home life. So, my only other option was French. At that point, I never thought I’d take it with me after high school, but I was very wrong. Read Mercedes story.
Scholarship Winners
In today’s interconnected world, learning a new language is more than a skill—it’s a bridge to new perspectives and deeper connections. Cultural immersion takes this even further, offering transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom. From enhancing creativity and problem-solving to fostering empathy and global understanding, language and culture unite us in powerful ways.
Ready to explore how language learning can change lives? Dive into Dylan's winning essay to discover why stepping outside your comfort zone is the key to building a more connected world!
This student’s journey began with a childhood friendship that sparked a fascination with Japanese culture and language. Now, they’re preparing to travel to Japan to stay with a host family, shadow students, and fully immerse themselves in a new way of life. With gratitude for the opportunities language provides, they’re eager to build connections, create unforgettable memories, and see the world through a vibrant new lens.
Read their full story to learn how this adventure is about much more than travel—it’s about growth, discovery, and the beauty of cultural connection!
Growing up in a small, rural town, this student’s life has been defined by familiarity and routine. But with a growing passion for cultural immersion, they’re ready to break free from their comfort zone and experience the world in a whole new way. A 10-day trip to France offers the perfect opportunity to embrace diversity, step into another culture, and honor the dreams their family couldn’t pursue.
Read their full story to discover how this adventure is more than just travel—it's a journey of personal and cultural growth!
From calling her mother’s friend Tía as a child to preparing for a study-abroad trip to Costa Rica, this student’s journey with Spanish has been one of curiosity, dedication, and transformation. What began with preschool lessons and Duolingo streaks has grown into a passion for language and culture, paving the way for lifelong dreams of exploring the world.
Read her full essay to discover how small moments inspired a big dream!
What's Going On In Our World
Xperitas publishes its 2023 Covid-19 protocols for travel for leaders, participants and parent review. Protocols ensure the safety of the individual traveler, the student group, host families and other individuals that travelers will come into contact with while abroad. In addition, the protocol is in place so that the group completes the itinerary as designed without interruption, delay or cancellation.
At Xperitas, we aren’t in the business of sending students on “trips”. Our mission is to transform lives through shared global experience and intercultural learning. What does it take for travel abroad to be transformational? It needs to be an experience that pushes students beyond their comfort zone, challenges them to confront their assumptions about the world and allows them to see themselves and others from a different perspective.
On May 31,1972, language teachers Jim Phelan and Bob and Edeltraud Green formed the nonprofit corporation that today, 50 years later, is known as Xperitas. This organization has faced many situations that have interrupted international travel over the past five decades.
That’s a wrap, folks! In 2019 French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese language students traveled abroad with Xperitas to nine different countries to enjoy an intercultural immersion experience!
Ideas & Inspiration
As we reflect upon a new year year of delivering our transformative language and cultural immersion programs, we'd like to share some of our staff's favorite holiday pastimes and food recipes with our Xperitas community. We hope you read, enjoy and share!
See how to promote your Grounds for Change fundraiser using video to share a little bit of German coffee culture with friends and family.
Emily, Xperitas Program Manager for Spain and Puerto Rico, shares one of her favorite Spanish breakfast treats.
Leo was a seventh-grader at Minnetonka Middle School East when he attended an informational meeting about his school’s upcoming Xperitas language immersion program to Spain. Leo away walked from the meeting inspired and determined to participate the following year. Read his story and how he successfully raised funds for his program abroad.
Share Your Language Immersion Story
It's easy to share! We love to see your pictures and videos and hear how your language immersion experience has impacted your life. Whether you have traveled recently or long ago, your perspective is valuable to the Xperitas family of language and cultural immersion explorers. We travel for the love of language, but it is the connections we make along the way that stay within our hearts and minds.