Learning That Matters: Celebrating International Education Day
For 44 years, ARCC Programs has believed in the power of travel to educate, inspire, and transform. Since our founding, we’ve worked with tens of thousands of students, families, educators, and community partners around the world to design international experiences that go far beyond sightseeing. Our programs are built on the idea that the most meaningful learning happens when students are immersed, engaged, and challenged to see the world—and their place in it—differently.
As we celebrate International Education Day, we’re proud to reflect on the approach that has guided ARCC for more than four decades and continues to shape how we design programs today.
Educational, Not Academic
ARCC programs are intentionally educational rather than academic. While students certainly gain knowledge and skills, our focus isn’t on grades, tests, or classroom-style instruction. Instead, we emphasize experiential learning that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth.
Students learn by doing—by asking questions, engaging with local experts, and reflecting on their experiences and global issues. This approach allows learning to feel meaningful and memorable, helping students develop confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Hands-On and Immersive
At the heart of every ARCC program is hands-on engagement. Whether students are participating in service-learning projects, conducting field research, learning traditional skills, or collaborating with community partners, they are active participants—not passive observers.
These immersive experiences foster real connection: to place, to culture, and to people. By working alongside local communities and organizations, students gain insight into daily life in different parts of the world while learning the value of collaboration, adaptability, and mutual respect.
Relevant to Today’s Global Issues
ARCC programs are designed to be relevant to the world students are inheriting. Our itineraries intentionally explore global issues such as environmental sustainability, public health, social equity, cultural preservation, and community resilience.
By engaging directly with these topics in real-world contexts, students develop a more nuanced understanding of complex challenges—and their own potential role in addressing them. This relevance helps students connect their experiences abroad to their lives at home, empowering them to think globally and act thoughtfully.
We believe international education should spark curiosity, build empathy, and prepare young people to engage thoughtfully with an interconnected world. That belief continues to guide everything we do—today and into the future.
For more than 44 years, ARCC has remained committed to creating international education experiences that are immersive, ethical, and impactful. On International Education Day, we celebrate not only our history, but also the students, educators, staff, and partners who make this work possible.
We believe international education should spark curiosity, build empathy, and prepare young people to engage thoughtfully with an interconnected world. That belief continues to guide everything we do—today and into the future.