Global Citizens Blog
Stories from the Xperitas community
Xperitas cultural and language immersion programs open minds, connect people and transform lives. Here you will find stories from leaders, teachers, alumni and staff -- all of the diverse voices that make up our interconnected global community.
We also invite you to share your Xperitas story.
A Heartfelt Message from an Experienced Team Leader
The profound effect Community Partnership Programs have on team leaders
Tyrel Nelson, Xperitas team leader since 2014, led a team of students from Carroll University to Cuetzalan, Mexico in January 2019. After they returned, he wrote the following message to the Carroll students to frame their experience and...
Bursting My Culture Bubble
by Bethanne D.
Hola! My name is Bethanne, and I live in a beautiful part of Colorado. I have been studying Spanish for about five years now, and this year I am lucky enough to experience a once in a lifetime trip to Costa Rica. There,...
Little Known Facts About the Importance Of Language And Cultural Immersion - And Why It Matters
by Hunter E.
Many students learning a language today don't know what language and cultural immersion is, and if they do, they don't understand how beneficial these opportunities can be for their progress in the target language. Until a few months ago, I didn'...
Bring Me That Horizon
by Sam S.
Imagine...a car drives down a rough road past a field, as the sun rises behind a big red barn. This is a classic scene is several small-town movies, such as Remember the Titans and Hoosiers. But that's not a movie I have to watch; that's how I...
Get That Coffee Easily by Saying "Please" and ''Thank You"
by Stephanie M.
Imagine if you were trying to order a coffee from a little shop and the cashier was unable to understand you. Imagine they were looking at you oddly, like you had three heads or six eyes because you tipped them. Imagine that invisible barrier,...
CPP Fall Program News
A Leader-in-Training's Perspective
Emily Gregory, a music teacher from Alabama, thought she was prepared for living with a group of strangers for seven days as a Team Leader-in-Training this past June in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Read Emily’s blog to learn more about how her...
Summer 2019 Program Recap
Another successful season in the books!
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! We are happy to report that every participant...
Introducing the Edie and Bob Green Writing Scholarship!
Yearly merit-based scholarship opportunities for Xperitas participants
We are excited to announce a new merit-based scholarship opportunity for our participants: The Edie and Bob Green Writing Scholarship!
Xperitas Teacher Interview: Beth Lillskau
German Teacher from Prairie Schools in Cedar Rapids, IA
In a recent conversation with Beth Lillskau, a German teacher at Prairie Schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we learned all about the wonderful student exchange program she has with the Gymnasium Ebingen School in Albstadt, Germany.
Xperitas GAPP Support FAQ
How We Can Help You With Your Program's Individualized Needs
If your school’s German program has a GAPP exchange partner school, or if you are looking to establish one and start sending students aboard, partnering with Xperitas may be...
Spring 2019 Language Programs a Success!
By every measure, it was a transformative and successful spring travel season!
Every Xperitas group has returned home safely from their spring language immersion program abroad! Whether they traveled as students of French, German or Spanish language, the feedback we received has been outstanding and inspiring, as much of it...
Leo Dircks: An Xperitas Fundraising Success Story
Leo’s Fundraising Success Story
Meet Leo Dircks. When he wanted to raise money for his language immersion program to Spain, he and his family made it happen. Find out how.
Spring 2019 Community Partnership Programs Update
Xperitas partnerships with universities and North American indigenous communities
University groups from Carroll College and University of Tennessee-Knoxville joined Xperitas this spring to stay and work with North American indigenous communities
Cuetzalan: A Feather or a Stone?
Special Guest Blog
Dr. Bert Kreitlow, Faculty Lead for Carroll University's Xperitas Community Partnership Program to Mexico in 2019, reflects upon his return to Cuetzalan after two decades.
Language Advocacy Day 2019
Showing our support for language and intercultural education
On February 19-20, Xperitas Executive Director Leslie Gale and Director of Language programs Jenny Behrens traveled to Washington, D.C., to join the Minnesota delegation at Language Advocacy Day, sponsored by the...
