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🎉  Benef and Trecia from the Rhythm and Roam Podcast discuss how their backgrounds, including military assignments abroad for Benef's family and Trecia's multicultural upbringing, shaped their approach to travel. 

🌎 They've since raised travel-loving adults and share the value of exposing children to diverse cultures, both through living abroad and dedicated travel, which fosters adaptability and a global perspective.

👍  They introduce their book's framework, ROAM, which helps travelers navigate discomfort and cultural clashes by focusing on recognizing misconceptions, observing differences, accepting potential clashes, and maximizing shared human similarities. 

✨ ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Seek out opportunities where older children can travel as part of an activity like a band tour or specialized program to gain independence and global skills. 
• Identify your own preconceived notions about the destination; awareness of these biases helps you approach new cultures with grace.
• Include older kids in the planning process by having each child prepare a presentation or itinerary detailing location, cost, etc. 
• Do research on cultural expectations before you go, especially regarding dress codes or behavior in sensitive areas.
• To manage anxiety or cultural clashes, look for similarities like people wanting happiness, community, good food, and family time to build genuine connections.
• If you know certain situations are triggers, talk through coping mechanisms ahead of time. Use affirmations, journaling, or a pre-agreed-upon strategy to move through the experience.

Resources:

Rhythm and Roam Podcast website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

Staying Sane travel book

Benefsheh Verell Instagram

Trecia Cooke Instagram

Passports.com Educational Group Trips

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Host: I'm Suzy May and my family lives between Spain and Colorado. 🌞

🌎 We feature traveling families + worldschool creators taking learning global. 🚀

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pod@suzymay.com

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