Author: actuality_aubrie

How To Become a More Responsible Traveler: Resources to Get You Started

What does it really mean to be a responsible traveler? Is it choosing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local artisans, or reducing your carbon footprint by opting out of flights? While these actions are a step in the right direction, responsible travel goes beyond the obvious. It’s about continually learning how your presence in a place can contribute positively to the local community, environment, and culture.

The truth is, tourism as it’s often practiced can have unintended consequences—damaging ecosystems, exploiting workers, or perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Becoming a better traveler means recognizing these complexities and taking responsibility for your impact. It’s not always easy, but the rewards are profound: deeper connections, more meaningful experiences, and the knowledge that you’re contributing to a better world through your travels.

To help you on this journey, we’ve curated some of our favorite resources. These stories have not only inspired us to travel more thoughtfully but have equipped us with strategies to make a positive difference. We hope they do the same for you.

Collaborating with Local Changemakers: The Key to Impactful Media-Focused Study Tours

For media professors leading study abroad programs, one of the greatest challenges is finding meaningful, immersive story ideas that engage students deeply with local culture. As outsiders, it can feel overwhelming to quickly connect with the community in a way that’s authentic, respectful, and insightful. This is where the power of collaboration comes into play, specifically by working with local changemakers—social impact organizations and leaders making a difference in their communities.

Through our years of experience at Actuality Abroad, we’ve discovered that partnering with local changemakers not only makes the storytelling process more impactful but also provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with global challenges through a solutions-oriented lens.

Scholarships and Grants for Funding Your Documentary Outreach Experience​

This guide is designed to help you identify and apply for scholarships and grants that align with your Documentary Outreach journey. Whether you’re a student looking to enrich your education through study abroad, a budding filmmaker working on a documentary project, or someone passionate about making a social impact, there are funding opportunities tailored to your needs. Each scholarship and grant listed here has supported previous crew members, and many have been used to partially or completely fund their travels.

Documentary Outreach Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re considering joining a Documentary Outreach, you probably have some questions. This guide covers the most common ones—how the program works, what to expect, and how to prepare—so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Meet The Crew: Documentary Outreach to Morocco 2024

Below is a photo and a brief bio of each of our crew members and outreach leaders. Take a moment to get to know your fellow storytellers before we start this adventure. Establishing connections now will help make this an amazing and impactful experience for everyone.