LWL_Village Blog 16. Long Haul Flight For The First Time?

Conquering the Skies: 40 Long Haul Flight Tips for First-Time Travelers

Taking your first long haul flight can be both exhilarating and daunting. The thought of spending several hours in the air can be overwhelming, but with a little preparation, you can transform your journey into a comfortable and even enjoyable experience. Whether you're booking your very first international adventure or simply seeking tips to make your next extended flight smoother, this comprehensive guide offers 40 essential long haul flight tips to ensure a memorable and positive journey.

Choosing the Right Airline and Booking Smart:

The foundation of a good long haul flight lies in making informed choices before you even step on the plane.

Research Airlines: Compare airlines based on comfort, entertainment options, meal quality, and customer reviews.
Consider Legroom: Look for airlines known for generous legroom, especially crucial on long flights.
Read Reviews: Websites like AirlineQuality and SeatGuru can offer valuable insights from fellow travelers.
Book Strategically: Fly during off-peak seasons or midweek for potentially cheaper fares.
Early Booking Benefits: Booking well in advance often secures better seat choices and prices.
Loyalty Programs: Join airline loyalty programs to earn points and unlock perks for future travel.
Compare Flight Times: Factor in layover duration and time zone differences when choosing your flight.
Consider Connecting Flights: Direct flights are ideal, but connecting flights can sometimes be more affordable.
Insurance is Key: Purchase travel insurance to cover potential delays, cancellations, and medical emergencies.
Flexibility is Your Friend: If possible, be flexible with your travel dates to find better deals.

Practical Tips for Smooth Travel:

These tips focus on making your journey as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Pack Smart: Pack light! Overpacking leads to unnecessary luggage fees and hassle.
Carry-on Essentials: Pack all essential medications, valuables, and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Charge Your Devices: Ensure all your electronic devices are fully charged before boarding.
Download Entertainment: Download movies, TV shows, and podcasts to your devices beforehand.
Bring Snacks: Pack your favorite snacks to avoid reliance on airline food.
Hydration is Crucial: Bring an empty water bottle and refill it after passing through security.
Comfortable Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and layers to adapt to temperature changes.
Compression Socks: Wear compression socks to improve circulation and reduce the risk of swelling.
Neck Pillow: Invest in a good neck pillow for comfortable sleep.
Eye Mask & Earplugs: Block out light and noise with an eye mask and earplugs for better rest.

Advice for First-Timers, Solo Travelers, and Families:

These tips are tailored to specific travel scenarios.

First-Timers: Arrive Early: Allow ample time at the airport to navigate security and check-in.
Familiarize Yourself: Study the airport layout and gate information to avoid getting lost.
Solo Travelers: Stay Connected: Inform family or friends of your itinerary and check in regularly.
Solo Travelers: Security Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secure.
Families: Pack Entertainment for Kids: Bring books, games, and activities to keep children entertained.
Families: Plan for Potty Breaks: Consider requesting an aisle seat for easier access to the restroom.
Families: Prepare for Altitude Sickness: Consult your doctor about remedies for altitude sickness, especially for young children.
Families: Pack Comfort Items: Bring familiar blankets or toys to help children feel more secure.
Communicate With Cabin Crew: Don't hesitate to ask the cabin crew for assistance.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing to manage anxiety.

Onboard Activities and Entertainment:

Make the most of your time in the air with these entertainment tips.

Explore the In-Flight Entertainment System: Take advantage of the airline's movie, TV, and music selection.
Read a Book: Bring a physical book or load up your e-reader with new titles.
Listen to Podcasts or Audiobooks: Catch up on your favorite podcasts or dive into a new audiobook.
Learn a New Language: Utilize language learning apps or books.
Work on a Project: Bring a notebook and pen to brainstorm ideas or work on a creative project.
Stretch and Move: Get up and walk around the cabin periodically to improve circulation.
Do Gentle Stretches: Perform gentle stretches in your seat to relieve muscle tension.
Stay Informed: Read in-flight magazines and newspapers to stay up-to-date on current events.
Engage with Fellow Passengers: Spark up a conversation with your seatmate (if they're receptive).
Rest and Sleep: Prioritize rest and sleep to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.

By following these long haul flight tips, you can transform your journey from a potentially stressful experience into a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable adventure.

So, pack your bags, book your flight, and get ready to conquer the skies!

6. Experiential Learning

Picture 1: Its a playful scene with bright sparks ready and keen.

See how engaged they are?!

Want to engage your children just like this?

Don't know how to?

Let's talk, the pro's and cons for "what", "why" and "how"

for "Experiential Learning."

First, "what" is Experiential Learning?

Simply put, learn by doing!

It is in the art of utilising each experience so to learn,

and here at Learn While Living, we take it to the next level to Learn While Living.

This post aims to explore the concept of experiential learning in detail, examine its theoretical foundations, discuss its applications in various learning settings,

and provide practical benefits for mentoring learners effectively.

Using this active learning application, and entwining such with our

Philosophy In Action- and library of resources, we aim to provoke a grass roots initiative for inspired life learning that holds no bounds.

NO SCREENSHOTS, 4min read: Ready to Dive Deeper?

Experiential learning is a dynamic and engaging approach for building know-how and knowledge that emphasises on the importance of direct experiences in the learning process. Unlike traditional instructional methods that prioritise rote memorisation and passive learning, experiential learning focuses on "active involvement of learners in hands-on, real-world activities."

Using picture 2 as an example: On face value, the activity is of two people sitting in a cave. Amongst a mighty scenery, the two travellers are bathed in the warm embrace of the sun as they look out to the towering peaks, their jagged silhouettes stand tall into the sky sprinkled by snow. This vivid tableau could easily be reminiscent of locations in either the southern or northern hemisphere, where breathtaking vistas converge to create awe inspiring landscapes.

"How" does that make sense for academia though?

Experiential learning can be defined as the process of learning through experience. It combines itself from, in the moment activities that are coupled with theory and practice, inviting learners to gain knowledge, skills, and willingful attitudes by actively engaging in meaningful experiences.

Experiential learning has wide-ranging applications across various learning settings, be-it home learning in any style, Roadschoool, Worldschooling to mainstream classrooms. Then later in life for community programs, corporate training and beyond.

Here are some key areas where experiential learning is utilised:

1. Education and Academia

In educational settings, experiential learning can take the form of hands-on projects, internships, simulations, service learning, and field trips.

For example:

Project-Based Learning (PBL): Individuals build on real-world projects that integrate multiple disciplines, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge into practical contexts.
Internships and Co-op Programs: These opportunities provide learners with direct exposure to professional environments, enhancing their skills and employability.

2. Roadschool, Worldschooling

Roadschool and Worldschooling: Families, couples and individuals use the world as either their classroom to learn, connect and grow, going on adventures full time, part-time and a casual basis.

3. Sabbatical

Travel Sabbatical: To take a rest from work for an extended period of time, and intentionally spend that time on something that's not your routine line of work to explore the world and grow.

4. Corporate Training and Development

Many organisations adopt experiential learning techniques to enhance employee training and development, and have done so for decades.

This could include:

Role-Playing and Simulations: Employees engage in simulated scenarios that mirror real workplace challenges, enabling individuals to practice problem-solving, decision-making skills and potential workplace skillsets.
Team-Building Activities: Experiential learning fosters teamwork, communication, and collaboration among groups and employees through engaging activities.

5. Community and Service Learning

Experiential learning can be integrated into programs to service the community, empowering learners to connect with their communities and apply their skills to address, community topics and social issues.

Service Learning: Individuals engage in meaningful community projects, reflecting on their experiences while contributing to their community and societal well-being.

6. Outdoor and Adventure Learning

Outdoor education programs provide opportunities for experiential learning through adventure activities, where participants develop teamwork, leadership and resilience from the adventure taken.

Adventure Based Learning: Programs that emphasise adventure challenges, may foster personal growth, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.

This "type" of learning is not new, has a cyclical approach and can begin from childhood, evolves through youth to adulthood and beyond. It can be easily incoporated into a life learning approach or mainstream learning applications. Additionally, corporate and small business training and frameworks can enhance it to maximise potential and know-how, which ultimately develops more well-rounded individuals equipped for success.

The Benefits of Experiential Learning is my "why" ... will it be yours too?!

Experiential learning offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable approach to life learning, and training for development in all cycles of life:

Enhanced Retention: Engaging in active learning experiences increases the likelihood of understanding, reflecting and retaining information.

Practical Skill Development: Learners acquire hands-on skills that are directly applicable to real-world and real-life applications and situations, for life skills.

Increased Motivation: Active involvement in learning fosters intrinsic motivation, encouraging learners to be more engaged and invested in their learning and abilities.

Development of Critical Thinking: Reflection and analysis of experiences provide opportunities for clarity, critical thinking and problem-solving in real-life. Not simulation!

Preparation for their Working Life: Experiential learning equips individuals with skills and knowledge, for seeking a career with more thought for what they may aspire to do.

Improved Collaboration and Communication: Group activities and teamwork foster collaboration and enhance interpersonal skills, like communication, teamwork, critical thinking and forecasting.

Holistic Development: Experiential learning addresses multiple dimensions of learning, including cognitive, emotional, and social for overall learning development.

Learning is for LIFE: From the day we enter to the day we exit, a life long learning journey may only ever, be enrinched.

The cons...Challenges of Experiential Learning

While experiential learning offers substantial benefits, it also presents some challenges:

Assessment Difficulties: Measuring learning outcomes from experiential activities can be subjective and challenging to give a score to.

Resource Intensive: Implementing experiential learning initiatives may require significant time, effort, and resources.

Variability of Experiences: Different learners may derive different lessons from the same experience, making it challenging to standardise learning outcomes.

However, incorporating it can be inspirational..."How" it can be done, with joy !

Experiential Learning works best within a bespoke setting, designed from a curious, or "think outside of the box" mindset to succeed and mentor others. A go-getter attitude will create the will, and by bringing in a mix of spontaneity and organisation - with lots of activities and resources to accompany your journey, this is a way to truly align Experiential Learn so to Learning While Living.

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Tip: Words evolve, the meaning behind them change to suit a narrative as time moves on. Today the modern term is, Worldschool and Roadschool. However, whatever "it" is called now or in the future, the importances are that experiences shape us. Reflection from those experiences carry weight in our "why", "how" and "what" for. Today we get to make the choice how today unfolds.

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If you read all this post, and saw past the screen to “what may” you have a curious mindset.

Personally, Experiential Learning going Global - is impactful, inspiring, holistic and life long.

Leading with love,

Addy Marie, Visionary, Founder & Owner of Worldschool Tribe,

"Learn While Living, Loving the journey..." Is our -Philosophy In Action-

The Learn While Living library is packed with content to align with the Experiential Learning process, Homeschool, Roadschool, Worldschool & Entertainment for special and themed occasions, and will be open for new villagers to come on in too, from the 1st July 2025.

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