How can we educate young people to take care of themselves, others and the planet? At DNS – The Necessary Teacher Training College, we believe the answer begins with travel; not as a break from learning, but as a powerful learning method in itself. In this session, we’ll present “Travel to Learn” as an experiential, real-world teaching approach. We'll share how DNS uses extended study trips through Europe and Northwest Africa to expose students to global realities, challenge assumptions, and ignite lifelong learning. We’ll give examples from our 4-year teacher training programme, especially the “Global Reality” Year, where students co-plan and complete a 4-month overland journey to Guinea-Bissau. We'll also introduce our 5-week Travel to Learn Summer Camp, where participants explore issues like climate change, colonialism, and social justice through direct experience instead of textbooks. Together, we’ll discuss how intentional travel can be an act of care and a radical tool for education: encouraging empathy and critical thinking. We’ll also reflect on pedagogy, impact, and how these methods can scale in formal and informal education. Whether you’re an educator, student, or changemaker – join us to explore how movement can spark real learning, and learning can spark action.
