The only way to truly understand global differences and cultures is through first hand experience. Anyone can add marinara sauce to spaghetti and call it dinner, but it's not until you experience an early morning at the local outdoor market, with the sights, sounds and even smells of the local community coming to life, do you understand why spaghetti sauce from a jar doesn't taste quite right. I can tell you about the plight of poor students and the difficulties of getting to school, but you won't truly understand their passion for education until you see a horse and cart carrying 15 determined young adults over rough ground trying to get to the local university. Fortunately, there are organizations that will help you not only learn about global education, but experience it as well.
Professional Development (with travel)
The Fulbright Program, is one of several United States Cultural Exchange Programs whose goal is to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive fellowship programs in the world.
The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (Fulbright TGC) is a year-long professional development opportunity for U.S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop skills for preparing students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.
The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (Fulbright TGC) is a year-long professional development opportunity for U.S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop skills for preparing students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.
TOP is a public / private partnership through the Goethe Institute that promotes education about Germany, fosters intercultural dialogue, and provides the opportunity for North American social studies educators, STEM educators, and decision makers to experience Germany.
Other Programs
There are several other teacher travel programs available, including:
- Fund for Teachers
- Institute of International Education
- Earthwatch Institute's Teach Earth Program
- National geographic Grosvener Teacher Fellow Progam
- Keizai Koho Fellowship Program
- Many more are listed here at TeachingTraveling.com.
Professional Development (no travel)
Global Competence Certificate - The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) is the first-of-its-kind, graduate-level certificate program in global competence education for teachers. Developed by leading experts in global education - Teachers College, Columbia University; World Savvy, and Asia Society - the GCC program is designed specifically for in-service educators who are interested in embedding global learning into their teaching practice and preparing their students for the global reality beyond the classroom.
National Education Association
The NEA also has a great list of more resources and organizations that promote global education, including grants from the NEA Foundation, which can be used towards professional development travel.