Ex-Ed leaders abroad

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.