Xperitas Blog Archive

 

Xperitas Experience Archive

 

Welcome to the Xperitas blog archive. Find teacher, student and family perspectives on language and cultural immersion travel. You can also find useful tips for traveling abroad and past Xperitas news and events. Inspired to tell your story? We would love to hear how language immersion travel has transformed your life. Travel joyfully!

Transformational Travel for Over 50 Years

How to Get the Most Out of a Short-Term Immersion Trip

Traveling to a different country for a short immersion trip is an unforgettable experience—one that allows you to see the world, practice a new language, and embrace new cultures. But how do you make the most of a trip that lasts just one to two weeks? Here’s your ultimate guide to getting the most out of your short immersion experience!

Afghanistan or Wisconsin, Dari or English

Explore the transformative power of cultural immersion through Mary's insightful essay. From her childhood connection with a friend from Afghanistan to navigating her own cultural shifts moving across the country, Mary shares profound insights into the enduring impact of language and cultural exchange.

LIVING Language: Cultural Immersion Cultivates Human Connection

Samantha's winning essay for the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship offers a glimpse into her linguistic odyssey, highlighting the intersection of language and culture.

Open Your Mind and Your World Through Language and Cultural Immersion

Micah S. is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship from Wisconsin, traveling to Spain with Xperitas in the summer.

Pez sin agua

Sydney is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship from Massachusetts traveling with Xperitas to Spain in 2024. Her journey, marked by personal growth and a commitment to learning Spanish, resonates with the universal quest for understanding, connection, and a deeper appreciation of one's heritage.

Grounds For Change

See how to promote your Grounds for Change fundraiser using video to share a little bit of German coffee culture with friends and family.

The Power of Immersion Travel

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.

A Student's Perspective

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.

Erica Besser's Experience

My name is Erica Besser and I attend Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. I will be a senior this upcoming year and start my first year in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. I went on my trip in January of 2019 and had an amazing time.

2020 Alumni Scholarship Winner

Madisen Bell, the Xperitas Alumni Scholarship winner for the 2020 program year is currently a first-year student studying to be a French language teacher at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She traveled to France with her classmates and her teacher, Madame Tangen, in spring 2019. It was a life changing experience for Madisen who said in her essay, “The France trip provided me with the experience I needed to decide what path to take in my life.”

The Importance Of Language & Cultural Immersion

Hunter is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship. Read Hunter's essay.

Get That Coffee Easily by Saying "Please" and ''Thank You"

Stephanie is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship. Read Stephanie's essay.

Bring Me That Horizon

Sam is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship. Read Sam's essay.

Bursting My Culture Bubble

Bethanne is a recipient of the Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship. Read Bethanne's essay.

Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship

At Xperitas, we strive to make our transformative language immersion programs available to students who might not otherwise have the means to participate. Now, we are excited to announce a new merit-based scholarship opportunity for our participants: The Bob & Edie Green Writing Scholarship!

2019 Summer Language Programs Recap

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!

2019 Xperitas Alumni Scholarship Winner

One of the highlights of our annual Global Leaders Conference is announcing the recipient of our Xperitas Alumni Scholarship. This January, we were pleased to announce that we have selected Daniel Brand, of University Lake School in Hartland, Wisconsin, as the winner of the 2019 Xperitas Alumni Scholarship.

Cookies for a Cause

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.

2018 Summer Immersion Programs Recap

After reviewing all the feedback and input from our post-travel surveys, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the results with the Xperitas community.

2018 Spring Travel Recap: Students

All Spring 2018 language immersion program participants have returned home safely from their trips abroad. As we look forward to the summer travel season, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year, which was one of our best ever!

2018 Alumni Scholarship Winner

We are pleased to announce the winner of our 2018 Xperitas Alumni Scholarship: Lily Hauptman of Ladue Horton Watkins High School in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Xperitas Participants Help Others

Due to safety concerns in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria, we made the decision to cancel our Puerto Rican programs planned for 2018. The students from the canceled groups were disappointed, but many were determined to help. Read how they took action.

2017 Alumni Scholarship Winner

Cara Meyer was the recipient of our 2017 Alumni Scholarship. Cara traveled to France and Germany with Xperitas in 2016. Recently, we caught up with Cara, who reflected fondly upon what her Xperitas program, and the scholarship, has meant for her future.

2017 Language Program Recap

All 2017 language immersion program participants have returned home safely from their trips abroad. As we look forward to 2018 and begin planning next year’s programs, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year, which was one of our best ever!

Girl peeking out a window

Share Your Language Immersion Experience

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. Send us your story today.