Field excursions as a pedagogical tool in  higher education: A comprehensive study  

Field excursions are an experiential learning approach that takes students beyond the classroom to engage in real-world environments. This method emphasises active participation, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on experiences. These activities promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and broaden students’ perspectives by exposing them to diverse cultures and environments. 

While previous research has focused on the social and collaborative benefits of excursions, little attention has been given to how cultural background influences these experiences. This study aimed to fill that gap by exploring the role of field excursions in higher education and examining whether students’ cultural backgrounds affect their learning and social engagement. Focusing on the excursion to the Hunter Valley wine region for educational purposes, interviews were  conducted with students from tourism and hospitality programs to understand their perceptions of benefits, challenges, and cultural engagement.  

The study was presented at the 2nd Globe Summit: Global Leadership in Hospitality and Tourism Management in Phuket, Thailand, on 21st June 2025.  

The findings revealed that cultural background shapes students` motivations for participation, their learning approaches, and their social interactions during excursions. However, the shared experience ultimately transcends these differences, fostering deeper understanding, stronger social cohesion, and the development of employability skills. 

Read more about the study here: ICMS Academic Champions Field Excursions in Education

About the study 

The research was supported by a Scholarship Seed Funding and Scholarly Practice Grant at ICMS between 2023 and 2025.   

Project team 

This study was led by ICMS lecturer, Dr Feras Orekat. Other project team members were ICMS lecturers Jen Lee and Fifita Evans.