This post is part of Small Planet Studio’s Mini Blog Challenge. 

My first global experience was in first or second grade, in Ms. Driscoll’s class.

My class was learning about Africa, so we went on a (virtual) safari.

Every day, we would learn something about Africa: the animals, the people, the countries, the landscape…

And every day, we took our very own malaria pills (which were actually red-hot candies).

I remember being so excited to take my malaria pill every day (or maybe I just loved red-hots?), and to find out where we would be going next.

If I remember correctly, at the end of the unit we had a big party where we dressed in some traditional African clothes my teacher had and ate African food. (Yes, I know Africa is a big and varied place, but I don’t recall the specifics!)

This is my earliest memory related to learning about the rest of the world, and the thrill of the journey was a big part of it.

I didn’t actually leave the country until I was a teenager (and I still haven’t been to Africa!), but I think this was a formative experience in cultivating my passion for travel.

It’s fascinating to watch kids discover that the world is bigger than their backyard, their hometown… These kinds of experiences can have a huge impact on how we look at the world as adults, and I’m so glad my teacher took such a hands-on approach to helping us learn more about the world.

What was your first global experience? How has it shaped how you live your life now?

Photo credit: Arno Meintjes Wildlife via photopin cc