Do you yearn to travel to exotic ports of call? Have you ever been bitten by the travel bug over the winter? Perhaps an excursion to a far away place is just what the doctor or in this case, your minister, ordered. I'm referring to International Travel/Study Seminars. International Travel/Study Seminars, sponsored by the Worldwide Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), provide opportunities for individuals and groups to travel to other countries and study firsthand the issues and challenges facing the inhabitants in those lands. We recently compiled results from an International Travel/Study Survey. The surveys were completed by a self-selected sample of half of the 309 individuals who participated in international travel/study seminars during 1998 and 1999.
Forty percent of the respondents participated in a travel/study seminar trip to a European country, another 35% visited Latin America, and 17 percent visited Asia. Almost two-thirds (64 percent) learned about the travel/study seminar either from a Worldwide Ministries Division mailing (42 percent) or by contact from a trip leader (22 percent).
The largest percentage of respondents (43 percent) selected as the single most personally significant outcome from their travel/study experience (from a list of 10): "It showed me new depths of faith through the witness of others in difficult circumstances." Another 19 percent selected, "It helped me understand the larger church in the world." A majority (56 percent) felt that their knowledge of the wider mission of the church in the world had changed at least a fair amount as a result of their travel/study experience. A slight majority (52 percent) felt that their knowledge of the ecumenical partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had changed at least a fair amount as a result of their travel/study experience.
Eighty-nine percent indicated that they now have a deeper understanding of the people they visited and their realities. Another 75 percent reported that they now feel closer to their brothers and sisters in other places. A majority (62 percent) pay more attention to global events than they did before the travel/study seminar. (See table.)
| Impact Areas | Percent |
| I have a deeper understanding of the people and their realities in the places we visited. | 89% |
| I feel closer to my brothers and sisters in other places. | 75% |
| I pay more attention to global events. | 62% |
| I pay more attention to news about immigrants and other cultural or racial/ethnic groups in the United States. | 56% |
| I am more aware of God's presence in my life and in the world. | 52% |
| I am more supportive of the PC(USA)'s mission in the world. | 47% |
| I am more deeply committed to witnessing to God's love. | 42% |
| I am more committed to making lifestyle changes that will promote more equitable use of resources. | 37% |
Almost all of the respondents (95 percent) would consider going on another travel/study seminar trip. When asked why, 83 percent reported that it was because they really enjoyed their experience the last time; 76 percent because they would like to learn about the church's work in another place; and another two-thirds (67 percent) because they enjoy traveling with church people. Of those respondents who would not consider going on another trip, the most common reason (given by 23 percent) was financial limitations.
A majority of the respondents (57 percent) reported that they are more active in educating others about mission as a result of their participation in a travel/study seminar, and 54 percent pray more often for the church in other places. Large majorities have shared their travel/study experiences with family (84 percent), friends (84 percent), and with their congregations (72 percent). Most respondents (83 percent) did so by talking individually with family and friends. Another 52 percent gave a speech or talk.
Interested in learning more? Contact Jo Ella Holman at (888) 728- 7228, ext. 5259 or visit the International Travel/Study Seminar web site.
Research Services