The Why Behind Our Why
A Leadership Journey was started because youth from marginalized identities
do not always have equitable access to international or domestic travel.
To fill this void, we started A Leadership Journey to create a platform that would provide
equitable access to international and domestic travel.
“Learning deeply about another culture strengthens one’s ability to understand, appreciate, and work more effectively with people who belong to that culture—as well as others who are different from oneself. This in turn helps to develop leaders who not only have reduced bias towards culturally different groups but who also can help bring out the best in teams of people who have diverse methods of thinking, communicating and engaging with others.” - "Cross-Cultural Immersion Must Start in High School." The New York Times, inEducation section, December 19, 2019, sec. inEducation.
WHY EQUITY?
Financial disparities impede youth from marginalized backgrounds from affording the substantial costs associated with travel opportunities.
“Researchers have shown that study abroad can result in a variety of outcomes, including change of perspective or worldview, independence, self-confidence, intercultural development, global engagement, and dispelling of stereotypes among participants.” - Journal of Travel Research
WHY ACCESS?
Because youth from marginalized identities don’t always have access to travel because they don’t have the financial resources and or the opportunity isn’t local.
“Learning deeply about another culture strengthens one’s ability to understand, appreciate, and work more effectively with people who belong to that culture—as well as others who are different from oneself.” -"Cross-Cultural Immersion Must Start in High School." The New York Times, inEducation section, December 19, 2019.
WHY MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH?
Youth from marginalized identities experience heightened levels of stress, influenced by factors such as PTSD, personal stress, and environmental stress, impacting their self-perception, emotional well-being, and outlook on opportunities.
“...exchange participants showed greater personal growth and became more sociable, extroverted, responsible, spontaneous, self-confident, individualistic, informal, competitive, and independent. This provides evidence that travel can potentially lead to personal change, even when removed from a school curriculum.” - Journal of Travel Research
WHY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL?
International travel offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain a global cultural perspective. It allows for firsthand observation of diverse political systems, educational structures, artistic expressions, in was that domestic exchanges do not. This immersive experience fosters a deeper understanding of global similarities and differences, enriching young minds in a way that transcends the traditional classroom.
“Yet, since not everyone in the U.S., and even more so elsewhere in the world, gets the opportunity to attend college let alone study abroad, this is insufficient. Therefore, the benefits of cultural immersion should begin in high school, in students’ own communities and cities.” - "Cross-Cultural Immersion Must Start in High School." The New York Times, inEducation section, December 19, 2019.
WHY DOMESTIC TRAVEL?
Our goal is to engage with youth programs nationwide to partake in cultural exchange initiatives. Through collaboration with programs in different states, our aim is to transcend cultural boundaries, fostering a deeper comprehension of societal realities across diverse communities. This endeavor seeks to cultivate a united community of youth leaders transcending borders.
“For decades, researchers have shown that student field trips result in direct knowledge, longer retention of knowledge, and encouraging different student interests than classroom settings.” - Journal of Travel Research