The “Scholarly Travel” Trend & What Makes Elective Different
Elective students learning about the difference between Western and Arab urban design in The Architecture & Cuisine of Andalusia.
The Wall Street Journal recently profiled the rise of “scholarly travel” programs, and it’s exciting to see this type of learning through travel gaining attention.
It’s no secret why this is a trend:
Over the past decade, the population age 65+ grew faster than any other age group, reflecting a dramatic demographic shift and lengthening healthy lifespans.
As of 2022, more than half (55%) of adults aged 45 and older considered themselves to be lifelong learners, and 64% considered lifelong learning to be personally important.
44% of adults aged 50+ expected to travel internationally this year, up from just 37% in 2024.
Longer, healthier lives lead to a desire to expand one’s mind, and what better way to do this than through travel, particularly as a way to connect with other cultures in an increasingly polarized world.
But scholarly travel is not one-size-fits-all. Here’s what sets Elective apart:
1. Local Instructors Who Live What They Teach
While many programs fly in U.S.-based professors, Elective partners with local experts, practitioners, and scholars. These are people whose work is embedded in the culture and context of the place. Participants aren’t just hearing about a subject; they’re experiencing it in situ, with someone who lives and breathes the material where it actually happens.
2. Ultra-Small Cohorts
Groups are intentionally capped at 5–10 students. This isn’t a tour group. It’s a seminar, a salon, a conversation. Anything larger, and it becomes difficult to connect meaningfully—with the instructor, the cohort, or the setting. The small size makes it possible to go deeper.
3. Structured Classes, Flexible Schedules
Each day begins with Field Seminars, led by the instructor and held throughout the city rather than confined to a classroom. These sessions provide a shared academic foundation for the group. Afternoons are open for Self-Guided Study, giving participants space to pursue personal interests, explore themes more deeply, or simply follow their instincts.
Participation is never forced. Time with the group means time with a self-selected cohort of peers who share similar interests. Many students choose to reconvene for dinner or drinks in the evening—not because it’s required, but because there is always more to be said about the course topic.
4. 4-Star Accommodations
Adults want to feel like they’re going back to college…but they don’t want to go back to college dorms! Elective accommodations are stylish, comfortable, and well located. Good linens and a private bathroom aren’t luxuries—they’re essentials.
5. Imaginative, Rigorous, and Personalized
Because Elective isn’t tethered to a university system or a legacy format, programs can be both academically rigorous and deeply imaginative. The goal isn’t scale—it’s to create rare, thoughtful experiences that meet students where they are.