Taking Trips That Mean Something

Older travelers are increasingly interested in taking classes, volunteering, or working abroad as part of their trip, reports the New York Times . Diversity Abroad founder Andrew Gordon says older travelers often want to continue to learn and have an impact on the world, and his company connects and advocates for nontraditional students who want to study overseas. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Road Scholar has started offering educational travel adventures worldwide. Participants may focus on a specific ecosystem they are visiting, attend class on a college campus, or spend 115 days going around the world on an ocean liner with experts researching destinations' histories and cultures. The average age of such "road scholars" is 70, and the company provides family caregiver grants and other scholarships. "We had seen a decline in enrollment for programs heavily weighted to classroom time," says Road Scholar's JoAnn Bell. "People want to get out and experience the country for themselves." GoAbroad.com's Megan Lee notes there has been growth in searches for activities targeting people in their 30s through retirement age. "There's an increase in searches for 'adult gap year,' 'adult study abroad,' 'retirement volunteer abroad,' and even 'adult intern abroad,'" she says. Furthermore, an AARP study observed that at least half of travelers in all age groups were interested in "authentic" international experiences such as touring or dining with locals. Lee stresses programs for older adults should be customized to their needs.