Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

study-abroad courses in a range ofsubjects and in many diversedestinations. Too many internationalcourses are, in my opinion, mainly siteseeingtrips. It is time for travelprofessionals and educationalinstitutions to proactively establishcollaborative partnerships in thedestination to create far moresustainable educational experiencesby engaging people on both side of thehost-visitors interface.• How to Organize a SimilarEducational Experience?The following ten points are quitegeneral and will have to be adapted to specific context in which you are operating:1. Choose a destination based on the needs of your discipline and budget availability.2. Map how the proposed learning outcomes of your training are linked to the locallyavailable activities and most importantly local priorities and needs.3. Choose one or more local partners (this may include private sector’ operators and/oreducational institutions with comparable programs to those at your university). Makesure they operate according to a responsible tourism code of practice.4. Negotiate the way your university and participating students are going to fundraiseand sponsor participants from the host country. Will their costs be covered by youruniversity or will your students be required to fundraise in order to sponsor theircolleagues from the destination?5. Consult with local partners on the nature of the training and evaluation you are goingto give to participants to make sure it reflects a practical need of the destination.6. Establish selection criteria for local participants - in collaboration with a localinstitution - and make sure that the number of selected participants reflect budgetavailable. Invite your own students to take part in the initiative.7. Introduce students from your institution to responsible travel practice, especially iftheir regular course of study has not been on these topics. Prepare a ‘code ofconduct’ and related disciplinary regulations to be distributed and accepted bystudents prior to departure. Include clear guidelines about health and safety, fieldtrips, personal relationships, and financial expectations,8. Upon arrival at the destination, establish ground rules with all participants – bothinternational and in- country, to manage expectations and ensure participants’commitment and engagement in all activities.9. Upon completion of the training, provide a ‘Certificate of Achievement’ from yourinstitution to all attendees. This is especially important for local participants.10. Follow up with all participants, requesting feedback to improve future trips.For more information contact:Marina Novelli: M.Novelli@brighton.ac.ukWebsite: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/ssm/Meeting the Alkalo (village chief), Tumanitenda, The Gambia.Credit: Marina Novelli77