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Ex-Ed Leaders Abroad is a fully-funded global program designed for teachers and educators working in experiential education. This program brings together thought leaders, educators, and changemakers from the US, Canada, and around the world, fostering a vibrant community of professionals dedicated to shaping the future of experiential learning. Each year we embark on a journey to a different location, offering participants the opportunity to build lasting connections, share insights, and explore program destinations. As we collectively scout diverse locations, participants contribute to the development of impactful educational experiences for middle and high school students. Join us for an immersive experience that combines community building, knowledge exchange, and the excitement of discovering new and inspiring locales.
Martinique, a vibrant island shaped by Afro-Caribbean culture and a complex colonial past, provides an inspiring setting for this year’s Ex Ed Abroad program. Through daily reflection and immersive, hands-on experiences, educators explore themes of cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and the lasting impacts of colonialism.
Highlights include visits to historic landmarks like Cap 110 and St. Pierre, conversations with local educators about slavery and resistance, and exchanges with artists, farmers, and youth leaders preserving Creole traditions and reclaiming ancestral knowledge.
Participants also engage with the Insight team through meaningful dialogues and workshops focused on risk management, student engagement, and program design—building the tools and confidence to lead transformative student travel.
This journey offers both an introduction to Martinique and a deeper understanding of how global learning experiences can inspire reflection, connection, and responsible citizenship.
Develop Your Skills
Whether you're a seasoned director of experiential learning or your school is just getting started with travel, our curated workshops and experiences will enhance your program management toolkit.
In addition to the incredible activities and experiences we have lined up, we will also deliver workshops on student travel programming, from risk management and student recruitment to strategic planning and financial management.
Dive Into Living History
Walk through Martinique’s past and present as you visit landmarks like Cap 110 and St. Pierre, learn about slavery and resistance from local educators, and connect with artists and community leaders revitalizing Creole culture.
Build Your Network
Develop meaningful connections with educators from around the world as we explore and share best practices in experiential learning.
Since 2023, Insight has fully funded 45 educators to join us on our Leaders Abroad programs. This year, we will welcome 15 more educators from across the world, bringing best practices and experiences together from a variety of perspectives.
Arrive in Fort-de-France and meet your Insight facilitator and local guide before transferring to your accommodations in Le Vauclin, a coastal community in southeastern Martinique. Settle in and get to know your cohort during a casual welcome gathering. Together, you’ll set intentions for the week and begin exploring the themes of identity, history, and environment that will shape your journey.
Begin your first full day in Martinique at La Savane des Esclaves, an open-air museum that brings pre-colonial life, slavery, and emancipation to life through storytelling and reconstruction. Engage with local educators about the legacies of resistance and cultural survival.
Continue to Les Anses d’Arlet, where colorful Creole homes, lively streets, and local markets offer opportunities for authentic cultural encounters. Meet artisans and explore how traditional craftsmanship continues to shape island identity.
End the day at Cap 110 – Mémorial de l’Anse Caffard, a solemn seaside memorial honoring those lost in the transatlantic slave trade. A guided discussion connects the monument’s symbolism to broader Afro-Caribbean narratives of memory and resilience.
Start the day with an Insight-led dialogue focused on risk management and support systems in student travel. Then head into Fort-de-France, where colonial legacies meet modern expressions of identity.
Visit La Savanne Park, where the defaced statue of Josephine Bonaparte sparks reflection on how history is represented and resisted. Explore the Bibliothèque Schoelcher, a symbol of intellectual freedom, and the St. Louis Cathedral, a testament to endurance and reconstruction.
At Tanbou Bo Kannal, immerse yourself in the energy of Martinique’s Carnival culture through hands-on workshops in drumming and dance. Feel the rhythm and movement that define Martinique’s creative spirit before gathering for an evening reflection.
Begin the day with a visit to a local fishing village, meeting a fisherman who shares stories of life at sea, sustainable practices, and the challenges of maintaining traditional livelihoods. Try your hand at net-making, learn about sargassum seaweed, and observe the community’s bustling fish market.
In the afternoon, visit Madin’Cao Chocolate Farm, where you’ll trace the journey of cacao from bean to bar and craft your own chocolate treat. Discuss the cultural and economic role of cacao in Caribbean life.
Back at the hotel, participate in an Insight-led discussion on student travel marketing, connecting your field experiences to best practices in engaging young travelers.
Travel to the northeastern coast to explore Sainte-Marie, a region known for its agricultural roots and coastal beauty. Begin with a hands-on visit to a working vanilla and cacao farm, learning about sustainable cultivation and traditional processing.
Stroll through Petula’s Boutique, where local artisans showcase Creole crafts, before walking across the Tombolo, a rare sandbar linking the mainland to an islet—an experience that captures the island’s connection between land and sea.
End the day with a dialogue on collaborative travel models, exploring how co-school partnerships can enhance global learning experiences.
How does nature hold memory?
Journey north along the Route de la Trace, winding through rainforest and volcanic landscapes. Visit Saut Gendarme Waterfall, then explore Domaine de la Vallée, an eco-site blending environmental restoration with cultural education. Participate in workshops on aquaponics, herbal medicine, and Creole agriculture, and taste fresh local juice while learning how the site honors the labor and legacy of enslaved peoples.
In St. Pierre, the “Pompeii of the Caribbean,” explore the ruins and museum that tell the story of the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée. Conclude the day at Château Depaz Distillery, a historic estate that reveals how agriculture, economy, and resilience intertwine in Martinique’s story.
Spend the day immersed in Creole heritage and sustainable living at Lakou’A, an organic farm and cultural center where tradition meets innovation. Join workshops in agroecology, medicinal plants, and eco-crafting with members of the Tramil Network, blending art, science, and ancestral knowledge.
Rotate through interactive sessions in cooking, drumming, basketry, and Kalinago arts, exploring how creativity and craft preserve cultural memory. Conclude with an Insight-led workshop on best practices in student travel, discussing logistics, budgeting, and leadership development.
Enjoy a final reflection session with your facilitator, celebrating your learning journey and preparing to bring new insights back to your school community. Stop at Pointe du Bout for last-minute shopping and lunch before transferring to the airport for your return flight home.
Insight is thrilled to be able to offer 15 fully-funded spots for this program! This program is best suited for educators directly involved in experiential learning and student travel. One candidate per school is eligible to participate.
Insight has delivered international trips for a wide variety of audiences since 2013. Our top priority is the health and well-being of our participants. In the event conditions change while on trip, Insight may need to adjust the itinerary to ensure participant health and safety.
As with all trips, risks exist and participants will need to complete Acknowledgement of Risk documentation prior to departure. Insight will take every precaution to ensure this experience is unforgettable for all the right reasons. To learn more about our health and safety practices, please contact us.
Insight has delivered immersive travel experiences for students and educators all around the world. Our experienced team will be with you the entire time and will give you a thorough briefing upon arrival on best practices while exploring the country. Martinique is a safe and welcoming destination, and we’ll be implementing robust practices to keep you safe.
All in-country expenses are covered by the Insight Educator Professional Development Fund. Attending participants are required to secure their own flights and insurance.
Ex-Ed Leaders Abroad is best suited for educators directly involved in the design, development, and delivery of experiential education. During the application, you will be asked a few questions with regards to your role at your school, as well as your school’s background in travel programming and experiential learning.
Yes, absolutely! We welcome applications from educators who’s schools are just getting started, or are re-introducing student travel.
One candidate is eligible to apply from each school. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and 15 spots will be awarded by the end of April, 2025.
There’s no expectation or requirement that your school commits to or participates in a future travel program.
Insight generates revenue each year through the sales of our curricular resources. A portion of those proceeds are used to support professional development opportunities for educators, including Ex-Ed Leaders Abroad. To learn more about our SDG-themed curricular resources, click here.
For any further questions, please contact Craig Vandermeer, at craig@insightglobaleducation.com.
We take students out of the classroom and challenge them to learn about how the world really works in different places, delivering truly unique travel opportunities around the world.