Georgia Southern鈥檚 ‘Travel with Purpose’ program provides nontraditional, worldly approach to professional and personal development
Over the past year, the 鈥�Travel with Purpose鈥� program hosted by 快猫app短视鈥檚 Division of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), has provided immersive educational travel experiences outside the traditional college experience, underscoring the importance of furthering education.
Director of 快猫app短视鈥檚 Division of CPE, Deedee Southerlin, Ed.D., emphasizes that education goes beyond the typical classroom setting.
鈥淟ifelong learning isn’t limited to earning degrees or certifications,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ome of the most valuable lessons come from experiencing new places, meeting new people, and seeing the world through a different lens. That’s what 鈥楾ravel with Purpose鈥� is all about.鈥�
In a diverse, fast-paced job market, the ability to provide invaluable, worldly insight continues to grow in demand. The CPE program offers learners a non-degree, skill-focused approach to education, enabling participants to expand their knowledge through immersive experiences.
鈥淥ur goal isn’t simply to take people on trips,鈥� Southerlin said. 鈥淚t’s to create educational experiences that encourage a lifetime of educational enrichment, foster curiosity and help participants see the world from new perspectives. Every 鈥淭ravel with Purpose鈥� program is designed with learning in mind.鈥�
Locally, 鈥淭ravel with Purpose鈥� hosted history buffs on a day trip through Emanuel, Jenkins and Burke Counties guided by John Derden, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history at the East Georgia Campus. The excursion includes exploring historic roads once walked by soldiers and visiting Camp Lawton, the largest Civil War-era prison.
In December 2025, the program brought learners across state lines to experience the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, during the holiday season. Learners were given a private tour of the 250-room chateau and experienced a candlelit, holiday-themed dinner. The immersive atmosphere gave participants a chance to better understand the Vanderbilt family鈥檚 life within North Carolina’s history.
鈥淭ravel with Purpose鈥� also gives learners the opportunity to gain cross-cultural experiences outside of the United States, fostering reflection and critical thinking.
In November 2025, a group of 20 travelers spent 11 days in Tuscany, Italy. This excursion included a private tour and wine tasting at the Lornano winery, as well as a private tour of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence. One of Europe鈥檚 most historically and culturally significant regions, Tuscany is best known as the “cradle of the Renaissance,鈥� serving as the epicenter of historic and cultural significance.
For CPE, 鈥淭ravel with Purpose鈥� provides adult learners with study abroad experiences outside of the traditional degree path. Southerlin and her team also say that the experiences go beyond travel and education alone.
鈥淲e’ve seen participants build friendships, discover new interests and return home with a new excitement for learning,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s the program grows, we’re looking forward to expanding both domestic and international opportunities, so even more people can experience the value of lifelong learning beyond the classroom.鈥�
As for what鈥檚 coming next, CPE鈥檚 鈥淭ravel With Purpose鈥� program leadership is currently planning a visit to Seville, Spain, for March 10-20, 2027, and a return trip to Tuscany in 2028.
The 鈥淭ravel with Purpose鈥� program in Seville is currently open for registration. Additionally, all 鈥淭ravel With Purpose鈥� programs are designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, meaning that travelers of all backgrounds are welcome.