Vanderbilt Alumni Travel Programs: Lifelong Learning Through Experiential Travel

Vanderbilt University offers a diverse range of travel programs designed to foster lifelong learning and cultural immersion for its alumni and community members. These programs, meticulously planned and often led by Vanderbilt faculty, cater to a variety of interests, budgets, and travel styles, providing unique opportunities to explore the world while engaging in educational experiences. With a strong emphasis on safety, cultural understanding, and personalized itineraries, Vanderbilt's travel programs offer an exceptional way to discover new destinations and connect with fellow travelers.

Types of Travel Programs

Vanderbilt provides a spectrum of travel programs, each with its own unique structure and focus:

Maymester Faculty-Led Travel Programs: These are university summer session courses incorporating a global travel component, typically held in May. Lasting three to four weeks, these three-credit courses offer invaluable intercultural and experiential learning experiences centered around diverse academic topics. The appeal of Maymester courses lies in their ability to satisfy major and/or liberal arts core requirements. Moreover, participation in Maymester courses automatically fulfills the immersive experience component of Immersion Vanderbilt.
Travel-Embedded Courses: These are fall or spring semester courses taught on the Vanderbilt campus that integrate a built-in travel component, usually a week-long trip during fall or spring break.

The Vanderbilt Travel Experience

Vanderbilt's travel programs are designed to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience, blending educational opportunities with immersive cultural encounters. Whether exploring historical landmarks, delving into local cuisines, or engaging with local communities, participants gain a deeper understanding of the world and its diverse cultures.

The meticulously researched and planned programs bring people, history, art, architecture, food, wine, and culture to life. Trips are crafted to delight the mind and senses, allowing you to discover must-see icons and experience behind-the-scenes connections unavailable to individual travelers. The experience is akin to visiting a local family, intent on providing you with the very best experiences their destination offers.

Local experts and knowledgeable guides bring destinations to life. A highly experienced Travel Director attends to every detail. Participants travel in small groups amid the camaraderie of other curious travelers.

The expertly planned itineraries balance the benefits of group travel, allowing you to fully experience the destination on included excursions, with leisure time to pursue your interests. Many programs include Personalize Your Journey opportunities that allow customization of your experience with included excursions, plus a selection of elective activities and extensions to follow your passions.

Safety and Well-being

The health, safety, and security of students, faculty, and staff are of primary importance to Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt partners with Vanderbilt Study Abroad and Global Safety and Health to ensure continuity of care for all students participating in study abroad, faculty-led, independent research, and other experiential learning travel.

Key Contacts:

Associate Director of Study Away and Faculty-Led Programs: Isabelle Crist serves as a guide and mentor for undergraduate student travelers, providing pre-departure training and consultation on critical issues related to mental health and physical well-being. Isabelle is an active and engaged member of The Forum of Education Abroad and Pulse: International Safety and Security Professionals in Higher Education. Isabelle is bi-lingual in French and English and holds a B.A. With over two decades of experience in the field of international education,
Assistant Director for Global Safety and Health: Erin Lesley Beeman is trained in crisis de-escalation, grounding techniques, personal and family safety planning, and controlled substance overdose intervention. Erin maintains a “let’s talk about it” policy.

AHI Travel: Vanderbilt's Partner in Travel Excellence

For over 60 years, AHI Travel has been a leader in the creation and operation of exclusive and unique travel programs specifically designed for sophisticated affinity travelers from world-class educational institutions. Their travel programs reflect the high educational and cultural standards of their sponsoring organizations. With AHI Travel, you will discover the world and all its wonders - often in ways not open to the individual traveler. With their many inclusions, you will not find a better travel value.

Read also: Vanderbilt University Alumni

The AHI Experience:

AHI Travel is an international company providing personalized group travel to the endlessly curious of the world. Their goal is to connect you with the people, places, and cultures you'll never forget. When you join them, your job is to enjoy yourself. Their experts are trained to make your trip as seamless and carefree as possible. Whether it’s a key ready for you as soon as you walk into a hotel or a beginner lesson in the local dialect, they go the extra mile to make sure you have every need met along your journey.

A Look at AHI Travel's Legacy:

1962: Richard and Arlene Small open Studentaire Travel, a company solely focused on travel for college students.
1964: Launched Alumni Holidays with a focus on serving the university alumni association market to connect graduates back to their alma maters-the first company to focus on this market.
1965: All travel now operated under the name Alumni Holidays.
1967: Alumni Holidays operates their first trip to Europe.
1968: Alumni Holidays operates a chartered aircraft to the 1968 Rose Bowl to Indiana University, the largest civilian air movement ever.
1984: AHI incorporates under the name AHI International Corporation.
1985: AHI expands into Canada.
1986: The first overnight passenger ship on France’s Rhone and Saone rivers is launched.
1989: The first overnight passenger ship on France’s Seine River.
1993: The Alumni Campus Abroad (ACA) concept begins, featuring inclusive air, excursions, meals, seminars, and more.
2000: Richard and Arlene Small retire.
2003: Launches-first-ever cruises for Americans between St. Petersburg and Moscow; and a long-standing relationship with the Eastern and Orient Express, operating luxury journeys in Old World style between Bangkok, Thailand and Singapore.
2011: Launches Art of Living to extended stay three and four week programs featuring aparthotel accommodations and learning tracks, including language, art, cuisine and other cultural learning opportunities. The first program operated in Cuenca, Ecuador.
2012: Listening devices added for all excursions allow for clear hearing and free movement of travelers.
2014: Added “Art of Living in Provence” in the town of Aix and “Art of Living in Tuscany” in Florence, Italy.
2016: AHI expands into Great Britain, operating first trip with Oxford University.
2020+: Continue to innovate while providing transformative experiences to educated travelers.

Destinations and Expertise

Vanderbilt's travel programs span the globe, encompassing all seven continents. Since its inception, the Vanderbilt Travel program has traversed oceans and deserts, journeyed deep into forests, and even visited Antarctica.

Vanderbilt's destination experts are constantly developing extraordinary itineraries.

Getting Started

Designed to fit any lifestyle, travel interest or budget, the Vanderbilt travel program has a trip for you. Each of our trips pairs unique educational opportunities with exceptional destinations. Start with the Vanderbilt Travel Team! They can be reached 8:00am - 5:00pm CST at 615-322-3673.

Additional Considerations

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance can be a great ally in your travel planning.
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