FAQs
Traveler Trainer PROgram (TTP)
What is the Traveler Trainer PROgram (TTP)?
The core of the Traveler Trainer PRO is Travel Health and Safety training that helps institutions mitigate liability, save time and resources, and increase student retention. It's an asynchronous, online, module-based program consisting of 15 bite-sized modules that you can mix and match to meet your specific institution's pre-departure needs (See all our mini-modules HERE).
In a nutshell, the Traveler Trainer PROgram equips students to become Travel PROs before they GO and challenges them to begin thinking critically and globally now so that they can be Good Global Guests while abroad.
How does the TTP do this?
The TTP trains students with a growing library of interactive modules that take some of the heavy pre-departure lifting off education abroad offices and faculty shoulders by delivering the expert training you need in a scenario-based, gamified format that Gen Z students actually like (read some of their reviews HERE).
With the TTP’s learning pathways, universities can customize the required modules for different program types, purposes, and periods of stay. Additionally, the TTP allows students to take charge of their own learning and preparation by selecting optional modules that fit their particular needs.
We've also incorporated critical reflection on global and ethical issues and framed many of TTP's discussion questions and activities using the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals.
To learn more about the program that was designed by a team of instructional designers and vetted by industry experts (meet some of them HERE) and that universities and other partners across the U.S.A. trust to train 9000+ students annually before they go abroad, please watch the intro video HERE.
You can also join us for an upcoming WorldKind Wednesday HERE to see a live demo and Q&A with our partners or request a personalized demo HERE for your institution.
The TTP trains students with a growing library of interactive modules that take some of the heavy pre-departure lifting off education abroad offices and faculty shoulders by delivering the expert training you need in a scenario-based, gamified format that Gen Z students actually like (read some of their reviews HERE).
With the TTP’s learning pathways, universities can customize the required modules for different program types, purposes, and periods of stay. Additionally, the TTP allows students to take charge of their own learning and preparation by selecting optional modules that fit their particular needs.
We've also incorporated critical reflection on global and ethical issues and framed many of TTP's discussion questions and activities using the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals.
To learn more about the program that was designed by a team of instructional designers and vetted by industry experts (meet some of them HERE) and that universities and other partners across the U.S.A. trust to train 9000+ students annually before they go abroad, please watch the intro video HERE.
You can also join us for an upcoming WorldKind Wednesday HERE to see a live demo and Q&A with our partners or request a personalized demo HERE for your institution.
Why is pre-departure training necessary?
While education abroad offers high impact learning and some great career benefits, the high cost of traveling abroad to study becomes worthless when critical incidents compromise students' ability to learn. And when students aren’t properly prepared to handle their own health and personal safety abroad, their wellbeing and learning often pay the price.
While it's hard to put a price tag on a person's wellbeing and education, because both of those things are priceless, we sure can put a price tag on the institutional liability, not to mention the reputational damage, that also occur when critical incidents happen on study abroad programs.
$41.5 million dollars . . .
That's how much Cara Munn was awarded in damages when her study abroad program was found negligent in properly preparing them to mitigate health risks they might encounter abroad (Read the full story HERE).
Imprisonment and death . . .
Or, what about the case of Otto Warmbier? On his way to study abroad in Hong Kong, he joined a cultural tour program in North Korea. After a night of drinking and removing a propaganda poster, he was arrested and then sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment and hard labor. After suffering unknown neurological damage and slipping into a coma, he died after 17-months of imprisonment.
What do these cases have in common?
While the above examples are extreme cases of what can go wrong when studying abroad, both critical incidents might have been prevented with better pre-departure training.
If Cara had been warned about the danger of tick-borne encephalitis in her host region, she could have taken precautions against insect bites and insect-borne diseases by using bug spray.
Would an alcohol awareness training or knowledge of local laws have made a difference in Otto's case? We can't turn the clock back and know for sure, but we can do everything possible to help future students understand risks and empower them to mitigate those risks by making healthier and safer choices abroad.
What is the value of the TTP?
To give you an idea of some of the value you’re getting with the TTP . . .
It costs approximately $1000 per minute of animated video created. If you were to combine just the animated videos (not even counting the live videos, games, text-based information, graphics, accompanying workbooks, and other resources) that you also have access to through the TTP, they would comprise a full-length animated movie.
In other words, we already did the research and development to create engaging training materials for Gen Z, so your institution doesn't have to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars (and let's be honest, probably never would invest) hiring dozens of instructional designers to build THE top-notch, best practice Travel Health and Safety (plus more) program on the market. Your institution doesn’t have to spend its limited time and resources "re-inventing the training wheels" that have already been developed and are even still customizable for your institution's needs. We’ve already done ALL that to make sure students are better equipped to manage their own health and safety abroad.
How does the TTP create efficiencies in my Education Abroad program (and make my life easier)?
Like you, we believe students should have the best training possible before going abroad, but the reality is that staff and budgets are often under-resourced and overstretched.
Asynchronous Learning Options
If you choose to use the TTP asynchronously (White Glove and Editor PRO levels only), you can reduce staff workloads enormously by eliminating costly meetings related to pre-departure training and the preparation & delivery time, scheduling hassles, make-up sessions, and monitoring completion that come along with in-person trainings. With 24/7 access, students can learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, and staff can focus on other priorities.
You can also tailor training to institutional needs and standardize essential information across your institution so that EVERYONE is on the same page and getting the same information.
You can also tailor training to institutional needs and standardize essential information across your institution so that EVERYONE is on the same page and getting the same information.
Hybrid Training Flexibility
And if you want to try a hybrid approach, you can assign and deliver standardized material online (e.g., health and safety topics), and free up your in-person sessions to focus on country, culture, and program-specific topics. You can have deeper conversations without spending too much time on the basics. By taking away the need to cover standard topics in person, the TTP enable real-life follow-up that allows EA staff to focus on student sessions on issues that are specific to them.
Enhanced In-Person Trainings
Use the content synchronously (all plan levels) and significantly level up your in-person trainings by better engaging attention, increasing participation, and memory retention with your students. Radically transform your live sessions by playing games and completing scenarios together as a group, and reflect on discussion questions together as a whole or in small groups. The TTP can also enhance emergency readiness that can mitigate liability with the program’s real-world scenarios, action items, and quizzes to engage students and enable retention of information.
Enhanced In-Person Trainings
Use the content synchronously (all plan levels) and significantly level up your in-person trainings by better engaging attention, increasing participation, and memory retention with your students. Radically transform your live sessions by playing games and completing scenarios together as a group, and reflect on discussion questions together as a whole or in small groups. The TTP can also enhance emergency readiness that can mitigate liability with the program’s real-world scenarios, action items, and quizzes to engage students and enable retention of information.
What is the objective and primary focus of the TTP's pre-departure program?
The objective of this expert-designed training program is to equip students to “become PROs before they GO” abroad by providing them with critical health, safety, and other "life skills" for traveling internationally. The TTP also strives to develop students into "good global guests" who can think globally and reflect critically on their experience. These skills are developed and enhanced through their engagement with gamified, scenario-based learning in an asynchronous way that saves your institution's staff time and resources.
In consultation with international education experts, healthcare professionals, legal experts, environmental advisors, and other academics drawn together from many different subject matter areas, WorldKind developed the "Traveler Trainer PRO" (TTP), an online library of multi-media, interactive modules.
Highlights
- Comprehensive Training Solution
WorldKind's "Traveler Trainer PRO" (TTP) offers an online library of interactive, gamified modules designed to prepare students for study abroad by covering safety, health, insurance, cultural adaptation, mental wellbeing, finances, and travel logistics.
- Expert-Driven Development
TTP was developed with input from international education experts, healthcare professionals, legal experts, and environmental advisors, ensuring high-quality, relevant content.
- Flexible and Customizable
The training program can be shared across universities and tailored to meet specific institutional and program needs, offering a cost-effective solution for diverse educational environments.
- Ethical and Sustainable Focus
TTP integrates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and ethical considerations related to international travel, promoting responsible global engagement among students.
Additional Background
After doing qualitative interviews, focus groups, and beta testing with education abroad offices across the country, we determined that the core of the program should center around key areas of concern for most institutions, such as safety & security, health, insurance, cultural adaptation and mental wellbeing, finances, and travel logistics.
Because the TTP’s comprehensive training was developed in a way that it could be shared across universities while still being customized to their institutional and program needs, we were able to design a flexible training model that was also cost-effective. We’re also proud that we’ve been able to incorporate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and reflection on ethical issues related to international travel throughout the modules.
What makes this pre-departure PROgram special?
The Traveler Trainer PROgram is...
Comprehensive
With 15 mix-and-match modules to choose that include 15+ guides & worksheets along with 50+ interactive videos, games, and personalized action times, we try to cover all the basics while still allow you the freedom to design your dream pre-departure programs.
Expert-Designed
Developed by a diverse team of international educators and experts, ensuring high-quality, relevant training tailored to study abroad challenges. The TTP was designed and vetted by a diverse team of experts, including international educators, instructional designers, travel health and safety professionals, legal experts, environmentalists, and academics from various fields. Our team comes from an educational background and knows the challenges of student training and Education Abroad.
Real-World Scenarios
Our program follows a diverse group of students and staff with varied levels of confidence, abilities, and health concerns. Our interactive scenarios reflect real-life triumphs and challenges. These enhance emergency readiness while also mitigating liability with real-world scenarios, action items, & quizzes.
Highly Customizable
Unlike other typical pre-built materials often used in higher education (e.g., textbook or an online training course), the TTP's pre-built gamified, multi-media, & scenario-based system is also customizable for each institution's particular needs and agile enough to suit different program types, lengths, and destinations as well as individual students' needs and identities. Education abroad professionals can tailor this training to institutional needs while also accessing standardized essential information.
Global and Ethical Reflection Encouraged
We guide reflection on relevant global issues with discussion questions that encourage students to research their host country and culture, incorporating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Staff can build on these ethical questions in-person and dive deeper into the topics by having the issues already introduced and the basics covered.
Cost-effective
Our three partners plans give you the flexibility to find a solution that meets your budgets. By using pre-built modules that you can mix-and-match and customize on some of our plan levels, you could reduce staff workloads, eliminate costly meetings and make-up sessions, and mitigate liability.
Flexible and Accessible
Students can take control of their learning pace and acquire knowledge through bite-sized learning. They can minimize any travel anxiety with step-by-step expert guidance accessible 24/7 for a year, even while abroad.
Minimal Staff Support Required
Staff support needed is minimal, and there are a number of hands-on and hands-off options for monitoring progress and completion.
In commitment to making education abroad more accessible
To honor WorldKind’s pledge to making education abroad more accessible and inclusive, we also offer 20% off our "White Glove" plan for all community colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) every year. As part of our first-year celebration, we're giving 20% off to the first 20 partner schools that join us before June 30, 2024.
To honor WorldKind’s pledge to making education abroad more accessible and inclusive, we also offer 20% off our "White Glove" plan for all community colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) every year. As part of our first-year celebration, we're giving 20% off to the first 20 partner schools that join us before June 30, 2024.
What does the TTP NOT cover?
This program does not provide comprehensive information about any one student’s program or destination country. Instead, the TTP directs students to reliable and vetted resources so that students learn to do the research for themselves, not just for their upcoming program but for all their future travels. With the TTP we are trying to teach student life skills and critical on-the-ground thinking so that they can navigate key travel issues and be aware of essential safety and health requirements.
While the TTP was designed to train students do their own research in preparation for their personal experiences, we can add some specifics for your students based on the information you provide, and this can be discussed with our staff in person.
What kind of research, development, and vetting went into the program?
WorldKind spent two years interviewing hundreds of international education professionals, running focus groups with education abroad offices, and conducting a year-long beta test with 1000 students before launching.
Over 20 instructional designers have worked on this project along with dozens of subject matter experts in travel safety and security, medical, wellbeing and fitness, legal and environmental policies, and intercultural competencies. To learn more about some of these industry experts and the instructional designers who helped to design and vet the TTP go HERE.
To see some of our university partners who have also vetted the program and use it with over 9000 students annually, go HERE.
I’m tentatively interested. Do you have a brochure or product deck I can share with my team before we book a demo?
You can see our interactive overview of the program and/or download the PROgram overview brochure here: https://worldkindacademy.com/about-the-ttp
The Learner's Experience
What is the experience from a student perspective?
Efficient Learning
Interactive and Practical
Each module includes a downloadable workbook for students to note personal needs and plans, compiling useful information for future reference.
Core material can be completed in 90 minutes to 2 hours, with main modules (Health, Safety & Security, Insurance) taking about 20-30 minutes each. We provide tools for destination-specific research that could facilitate further personal development, and there are a range of additional modules that can be optional extras.
Customizable and Flexible
Students can choose from additional optional modules and use tools for destination-specific research to further personal development. Students craft individualized learning paths via an intake form to learn at their own pace. Learn more about the student log-in and intake form here: https://worldkindacademy.com/individualized-experiences
Students can choose from additional optional modules and use tools for destination-specific research to further personal development. Students craft individualized learning paths via an intake form to learn at their own pace. Learn more about the student log-in and intake form here: https://worldkindacademy.com/individualized-experiences
Interactive and Practical
Each module includes a downloadable workbook for students to note personal needs and plans, compiling useful information for future reference.
Streamlined Access
Easy sign-in with institutional email and "Easy Buttons" for direct access to external resources facilitate immediate student engagement and streamlined access to key resources.
Easy sign-in with institutional email and "Easy Buttons" for direct access to external resources facilitate immediate student engagement and streamlined access to key resources.
TTP Alumni Opportunities
We also offer opportunities for alumni to contribute to the modules through first-person accounts from their travels as Student Ambassadors. Learn more here: https://worldkindacademy.com/about-us-worldkind-student-ambassadors
Student feedback
See our student feedback here: https://worldkindacademy.com/student-testimonials
How does the program facilitate cultural integration and understanding in the destination country?
Throughout all the modules, we incorporate “Reflection and Discussion” questions alongside “Action Items” to help students in their personalized learning about their host country and to reflect on real-life experiences they may have before they encounter them. We prompt reflection on students’ own cultures and expectations.
How does the program cater to the unique needs and challenges faced by student travelers?
Customizable Content
Students view a combination of standardized and customized content. Some content can be customized to reflect your institution’s requirements for your students. For example, if you require some students to use a specific insurance policy, then the “Understanding Your University’s Insurance” module will be tailored to your particular insurance policy.
Up-to-Date Information
Our content is regularly updated in response to changing circumstances and we keep abreast of changes in the travel industry as we endeavor to bring the most important information to students. We avoid overloading students with unnecessary details while still seeking to provide new information or important reminders to experienced travelers.
Refined Through Feedback and using Design Thinking
We have undertaken an extensive process of Beta testing and refinement to ensure that we are covering all areas required to prepare students for their experience. In partnership with universities nationwide, WorldKind successfully beta launched the Traveler Trainer PROgram for pre-departure study abroad in 2022. Upon finishing, students offered valuable survey feedback, expressing a desire for firsthand accounts from fellow students about their study abroad experiences.
To address this, we introduced the WorldKind Student Ambassador Program in 2023. This program centers around the collaboration with university students to acquire real and authentic stories concerning cultural adaptation and mental well-being while studying abroad. Their insights and stories will be incorporated into a multimedia learning module, benefiting and engaging thousands of future students worldwide.
Can you provide details about the success and outcomes of previous participants?
You can read testimonials from Education Abroad professionals on our home page and here: https://worldkindacademy.com/student-testimonials
Let's Talk Mooo-la
What’s the cost?
Did you know that the average cost of an online training course is $137, [1] which is roughly the same cost as one new college textbook?
Shrinking budgets are an issue across higher ed, so we're interested in making sure that we're all working efficiently and using our resources as effectively as possible. "Work smarter, not harder, and do it better together" is one of our mottos.
So, our commitment is to prepare good global guests without breaking your budget and to increase learning while also freeing up your staff. With three plan levels available, WorldKind ensures a tailored pre-departure orientation solution that is cost-effective and aligns with your budget.
Learn more here: https://worldkindacademy.com/pricing, and contact us directly at info@worldkindlearning to discuss options that best meet your needs.
Learn more here: https://worldkindacademy.com/pricing, and contact us directly at info@worldkindlearning to discuss options that best meet your needs.
How long are the contracts?
Contracts can be arranged on a year-by-year basis or for longer periods of time, with different prices depending on length of contract.
You can read more about plans and pricing here: https://worldkindacademy.com/pricing
Does WorldKind offer any discounts or loyalty discounts?
To honor WorldKind’s pledge to making education abroad more accessible and inclusive, we also offer 20% off for all community colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) every year.
Do you have any suggestions for funding?
We sure do! In fact, Hamish has created this entire guide with suggestions:
Demos and Trials
What can I expect during the demo?
We’ll discuss your particular institutional needs and goals and which aspects of the TTP can best meet them.
Tailored Discussion
We'll start by discussing your institution's specific needs and goals, identifying how the TTP can best support them.
Platform Overview
You'll receive an overview of the TTP's research and development, the platform itself, and our partner development process.
Hands-On Experience
Experience the TTP as students do, including the sign-up process, character introductions, and module navigation, followed by access to a demo account.
Extended Trial and Feedback
You'll have a month to explore sample modules featuring videos, games, interactive scenarios, and quizzes. Afterward, we'll have a follow-up meeting to gather your feedback and suggestions for improvement.We’ll discuss your particular institutional needs and goals and which aspects of the TTP can best meet them.
Can I trial the Traveler Trainer PROgram?
Yes - you can find our free passport module here: https://worldkindacademy.com/course/passports2
Experience More
For a more in-depth look at the TTP, please get in touch to arrange a personalized demo. We will also give a one-month demo account with sample content from the core modules as well as access to one other full module (Accessibility Abroad). You can see a comprehensive list of our modules with some samples from many of the modules here: https://worldkindacademy.com/modules
Onboarding and Maintenance
What is the onboarding process?
Quick Setup
Once the contract is approved, the TTP can go live within 1-2 weeks, ensuring a swift onboarding process for your institution.
Minimal University Staff Involvement
A decision-maker will need to work through a one-hour customization guide meeting with WorldKind, after which WorldKind will handle the insertion of basic information into the modules.
A decision-maker will need to work through a one-hour customization guide meeting with WorldKind, after which WorldKind will handle the insertion of basic information into the modules.
Comprehensive Support
For "White Glove" and "Editor PRO" clients, WorldKind manages the customization and setup process, minimizing the workload on your staff.
Streamlined Enrollment and Monitoring
Students can self-enroll using their university email, and staff can easily monitor completion through a "Reporter Role" with guidance provided in a short onboarding guide.
Can institutions customize and brand the program?
Yes, universities can customize the TTP program and we do offer co-branding.
Co-branding examples: WorldKind provides personalized landing pages and intake forms that feature your university's name, logo, and unique information. The menu page is also branded with your university's logo. Once students meet your specified criteria, they will receive a WorldKind "Travel Health & Safety Training" certificate of completion, which prominently displays your university's name. This ensures that students' preparedness is formally recognized and associated with your institution.
Customization examples: The modules can be tailored to display institutional details, such as specific policies, requirements, and information about institution's centers. For example . . .
- If we're teaching students about your institution's Travel Insurance policy, we add in your policy information and program all of the knowledge checks to test specific information about your policy.
- If we're teaching students that they each must check to see how studying abroad affects their specific financial aid package, we program in contact information for your institution's Financial Aid office AND an "easy button" to schedule an appointment with them if that's possible with your Financial Aid office.
- If an institution prefers to required different modules for faculty-led, short-term programs than they do for a direct-enrollment, semester-long program, then we can design unique learning pathways with required and optional modules for each use case, allowing each student to have a tailored pre-departure experience.
Can the TTP work through my LMS?
The WorldKind Academy platform (where the Traveler Trainer PROgram is housed) is a global competencies training solution that provides a cutting edge, cloud-based LMS that can facilitate the gamification we’ve incorporated into the Traveler Trainer PROgram (TTP), and it’s easy for students to register and login in themselves without any staff needed to enroll them.
At the moment, we aren’t able to integrate with other LMS systems (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, etc.) because they’re not able to host all of the gamification features or all the automations that our platform provides. Based on feedback from our current university partners (and robust beta testing), though, the straightforward setup process and integrating the TTP as a PDO solution are regularly praised as a highly effective and low-overhead solution. We’re happy to chat more about this anytime.
What decisions need to be made through onboarding?
Since programs vary in duration (e.g., short-term faculty-led vs. semester direct-exchange) and purpose (e.g., academic credit vs. service-learning), you can require different modules on each learning pathway so that your students will see content that’s relevant to them.
"White Glove" partners can create up to three learning pathways that guide students through different required modules based on their program types and will need to choose which modules will be required for each path.
"Editor PRO" partners can create unlimited pathways in their own private WorldKind Academy instances. We will work through a customization guide with you to add institution-specific information to provide your students with relevant information pertinent to their needs.
To see examples of how you may wish to use these modules, see: https://worldkindacademy.com/learning-pathways
Legalities and Accreditation
Is the Traveler Trainer PROgram accredited or recognized by relevant governing bodies or institutions?
Partnering with accredited universities
WorldKind partners with accredited universities across the U.S.A. that have vetted and approved this training as part of their own robust pre-departure preparation for their students.
Industry Recognition
Our most recent form of Industry Recognition is our two nominations as finalists for the 2024 GoAbroad Innovation Awards, which showcase the best in innovation, originality, creativity, and exceptional ideas in international education.
"Innovative Technology" - 2023 and 2024
“This award recognizes the creation and/or use of an innovative technology or tool specific to international education. This tool may be a technical advancement, a resource, or a device that demonstrates an innovative approach. Nominees are evaluated based on the success of implementing the technology, how it stands out from other resources in the field, and its overall impact to the staff or student experience.”
"Innovation in Sustainability" - 2024
“This award honors commitment to environmental conservation and/or sustainable community development projects through an organization’s programs and day-to-day operations. Nominees are assessed on overall impact, groundbreaking strategies, and integration of their message.”
How does WorldKind protect university and student data?
What is a "Public Benefit Company"?
According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's "Benefit companies – 15 Pa.C.S. §§ 8891-8898," benefit companies “offer entrepreneurs and investors the option to build, and invest in, businesses that operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.”
The full statute section
According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's "Benefit companies – 15 Pa.C.S. §§ 8891-8898," benefit companies are "Pennsylvania limited liability companies, with a purpose of creating a general public benefit, in addition to any other purposes they have as a limited liability company. A general public benefit is defined as a material positive impact on society and the environment, taken as a whole and assessed against a third-party standard, from the business and operations of a benefit company. A benefit company may also have as a purpose the creation of one or more specific public benefits. These include: (1) providing low-income or underserved individuals or communities with beneficial products or services; (2) promoting economic opportunity for individuals or communities beyond the creation of jobs in the normal course of business; (3) preserving the environment; (4) improving human health; (5) promoting the arts, sciences or advancement of knowledge; (6) promoting economic development through support of initiatives that increase access to capital for emerging and growing technology enterprises, facilitate the transfer and commercial adoption of new technologies, provide technical and business support to emerging and growing technology enterprises or form support partnerships that support those objectives; (7) increasing the flow of capital to entities with a public benefit purpose; and (8) the accomplishment of any other particular benefit for society or the environment. A benefit company offers entrepreneurs and investors the option to build, and invest in, businesses that operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner."
Other
What are the benefits of studying abroad?
So many! Independently conducted research consistently shows that students who study abroad demonstrate benefits, such as . . .
To learn more about the benefits of studying abroad, check out NAFSA's collection of independent research HERE.
How does the TTP incorporate with the United Nation's (UN)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
We’ve aligned our Traveler Trainer PROgram with the UN’s SDGs in various ways to help make students' education abroad experiences catalysts for positive change (See examples HERE). For example, we’ve incorporated “Reflection and Discussion” questions related to the SDGs and have created gamified tools that promote sustainability, one of which is our “SDG Trivia Wheel” game HERE.
We are proud that we were a finalist for GoAbroad’s 2024 "Innovation in Sustainability" award for our efforts!
This program targets young adult learners, but could TTP be adapted for other audiences (business travelers, high school travel abroad programs, gap year participants, etc.)?
We have future plans to develop versions that are tailored to other groups, however, the TTP could certainly be used as is to meet many other existing groups’ needs. Please contact us if you’d like to have a discussion and demo.
