In small, collaborative groups, seminar participants take part in a unique professional development experience while enjoying unique access to K-12 schools and universities in the Tokyo area. To support teacher growth in the school site visits, seminar participants connect with Tokyo educator counterparts and participate in seminar debrief sessions. The travel seminar is supported on the Japan side by a network of outstanding volunteer educators committed to global exchange and intercultural education. 

In joining the Travel Seminar for Teachers, teacher participants are becoming part of a global educator network. As part of this network, seminar participants attend virtual/in-person orientation sessions leading up to the travel departure date. During the travel seminar schedule in Tokyo, the educator group is led by two experts in global education, Dr. Dan Aronoff and Dr. Bryan Meadows. The travel leaders are also available to support participant private excursions outside of the seminar schedule. Finally, participants can expect opportunities to maintain post-travel connections with the global professional network established by the seminar.

• new to the profession and exploring central questions such as What does quality education look like?

• thinking about perennial challenges for public education and wondering what we could be doing differently as a profession

• serving Multilingual Learner (ML) populations and wish to gain insights into what education looks like outside the United States

• interested in gathering insights into how their subject area is taught in other parts of the world

• interested in connecting with educators in very different educational settings in order to find what all educators share in common globally

• interested in enriching their understanding of Japanese culture, language, and society through firsthand travel experience  

• ready to take advantage of the unique access to Tokyo K-8 schools and universities

The goal of the travel seminar is to provide NJ public school educators with a unique global learning experience during the precious summer months. As a result of participating in the 8-9 day seminar, teachers come away with a robust professional development experience with short-term and long-term benefits.

In the short-term, teacher participants gain firsthand insights into how educational systems work in urban and suburban areas in Japan through school site visits and personal contact with counterpart educators (e.g., teachers, administrators, school staff). They also gain opportunities to process their professional learning in debrief sessions with fellow NJ colleague participants. In the short-term, such global experiences outside of New Jersey can lead K-12 teachers to discover new ideas for how we can do education at home.

In the long-term, the teacher reflection that the travel seminar engenders leads K-12 teachers to greater avenues of pedagogical effectiveness, greater capacity for student advocacy, and expanded sense of professional satisfaction as educators. What is more, participants become part of a global professional network which connects the individual NJ teacher with valuable colleagues locally and globally. This is because the Travel Seminar for Teachers global network is ongoing and maintained by the non-profit, Global Education Insights.

With a lifelong desire to visit Japan, this travel seminar was the perfect chance to finally make it happen! I gained a new perspective as a teacher by visiting various Japanese schools. The trip was beyond well-organized, and the team leaders were so accommodating and supportive along the way. I hope the connections I made during this trip will last for years! If you want to take the journey of a lifetime, please register for this seminar!

-- Erin V (K-5 ESL Teacher)

Everything about the trip to Japan with Global Educational Insights exceeded my expectations and made it the most memorable and meaningful trip of my life. There were so many new experiences for me, but I think the highlight of the trip was visiting the different types of schools, meeting with Japanese educators, and interacting with the students. I learned so much about the Japanese educational system, and I also came away with a greater appreciation for how my own students must feel being immersed in a classroom where their native language is not spoken. In addition to the school experiences, I greatly enjoyed spending time with fellow NJ educators, sharing meals with Japanese friends and learning more about Japanese culture, and sightseeing in Tokyo, Tochigi, and Kyoto - all fascinating places. In short, the experience was beyond wonderful.  I can’t recommend travel with Global Educational Insights highly enough!

-- Jean C (K-5 ESL Teacher)

Learning and being immersed in the Japanese school system has greatly impacted my teaching philosophy. After completing the program I was able to relate better to the Multilingual Learners in my classroom because I experienced what it felt like to be in a different country with a different culture, hearing a language I did not understand. We also had a lot of fun seeing the sights! I remain connected to the colleagues that I traveled with to this day both personally and professionally. I would highly recommend this program to new and veteran teachers alike! 

-- Ayla Q. (K-5 ESL Teacher, NJ)

One of the fondest memories I have of the trip was when we had to face elementary school students in a fierce badminton match. Unfortunately, the U.S team had a poor performance. They annihilated us! During the school visits, I learned so much from the students. They taught me the value of teamwork and how each individual contribution was essential for the development of the entire class. As an educator, I use this philosophy in my classroom. I want my students to feel that their contribution is essential. This has been by far the most enriching experience I have had as an educator.

-- Kelly G (K-5 Special Education Teacher, NJ)

My favorite part, was being able to  immerse ourselves in the various educational settings. We were truly able to open our eyes to a whole new perspective. I believe this is the root of traveling. We travel so we can open our eyes to so much more than we know, and that is such a beautiful thing. To say that it was an unforgettable experience is an understatement. 

-- Kimberly P. (NJ Teacher)

What you take away from this trip can be applied to any school setting, as I’ve discussed this trip to my K-12 students in the past. I distinctly remember when we were observing an English class and we all sang a song by Stevie Wonder! It was joyous way to engage with students from Japan in that setting, as we all giggled at each other’s singing skills! You’ll have many memories to last a lifetime!

-- Yuki K. (NJ Teacher)

February 1, 2025 

Registration opens online

Complete $750 deposit to secure seminar spot

Early Bird Discount of 5% off seminar fees when completed by March 1, 2025.

Bring a Buddy Discount of 5% off seminar fees available.

March 1, 2025

Early Bird Discount window closes

March 21, 2025

Registration closes online for all

Regular deposit $750 due for all

April 7, 2025

Bring a Buddy Discount window closes

Online seminar orientation meeting

Travel Seminar Fees of $1,973 DUE (minus deposit and any qualifying discounts)

May 2025 (date TBD)

Online planning meeting #1

June 2025 (date TBD) 

Online planning meeting #2

Online planning meeting #3 (pre-travel check)

June 28, 2025

Group departure date from Newark EWR airport

July 7, 2025

Return to Newark EWR airport

Global Education Insights is a non-profit 501(c)(e) formed in New Jersey to enrich K12 public education through unique global professional development experiences for NJ teachers. Global Education Insights is a non-profit, service venture led by two educators with 40 combined years of professional experience in higher-education and K-12 institutions. They also have 6 years of experience leading travel seminars to Tokyo. Global Education Insights works closely with local liaisons to develop and facilitate global travel experiences that leverage unique professional growth opportunities with economic value.

Global Education Insights is a 501 (c)(e) non-profit charity organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service and the New Jersey Division of Taxation as a public charity formed for educational purposes, consistent with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.