Virtual Visits, Real Learning
By Dr Charles Margerison, Psychologist, Can Do Kids Worldwide
Learning Through Virtual Journeys
At Can Do Kids Worldwide, we take students aged 8–12 on immersive virtual visits to countries like Brazil, China, India, Australia, Canada, France, South Africa, the USA, Germany, Japan, Spain and England.
These experiences allow students to explore each country’s geography, food, music, culture and sports—without leaving the classroom.
Through 5-minute videos, students discover the unique aspects of each country’s way of life. From bustling city streets to peaceful rural landscapes, students learn about local traditions, landmarks and the everyday life of people in different regions of the world. These videos provide the foundation for group travel planning, where students design their own journeys, select key destinations and explore global cultures together.
Staying at Local Schools
As part of their virtual journey, the Can Do Kids Band stays with local students at schools around the world.
From traditional food and music to folk stories, festivals and customs, the local students introduce the band to the authentic, rich diversity of their country. This immersive experience not only brings global cultures to life but also creates a fun and collaborative way for students to connect across borders. Through these student-led cultural exchanges, everyone gains a deeper understanding of the world beyond textbooks.
Learning Beyond the Screen
As students develop their virtual travel plans, they dive into several hands-on activities that enrich their understanding of each country:
Geography and Travel: Students map out their journeys and calculate the time it would take to travel from one location to another using different modes of transport like bikes, trains and buses.- Math: Through travel planning, students calculate travel times, distances and learn about real-world logistics.
- Environment: Students discuss the environmental impact of different forms of travel and how sustainability is addressed in various countries.
- Culture and Farming: They explore how food is grown, produced and consumed in each country, and how farming practices shape local cultures.
- Word Games: Fun, interactive word games related to the country help students learn about key places, languages and cultural landmarks in a playful and engaging way.
These activities promote critical thinking and provide students with a well-rounded, realistic understanding of life in each country, beyond just tourist spots.
Meet The Can Do Kids Band
Leading each virtual journey is The Can Do Kids Band, a group of talented teenage musicians from around the world. Each member brings their own unique style, energy and curiosity as they explore global cultures, music and traditions.
- Amy – A versatile lead vocalist from the USA, passionate about music, new experiences and connecting with people. Amy’s vibrant personality helps students dive deep into the music and culture of the countries they visit.
- Ravi – A cool bass guitarist from India, blending traditional rhythms with modern grooves. Ravi’s laid-back yet insightful style encourages students to discover the heartbeat of Indian music and culture.
- Ace – A dynamic drummer from South Africa, whose energetic beats reflect the lively spirit of South African music. Ace brings students into the rhythm of the culture, inspiring them to explore music as a way of storytelling.
- Lin – A wizard on the keyboard from China, combining modern melodies with traditional Chinese sounds. Lin’s expertise introduces students to the fusion of old and new in Chinese music and cultural practices.
- Oz – An adventurous lead guitarist from Australia, always looking to innovate and push boundaries. Oz’s free-spirited approach to music inspires students to think creatively and embrace the idea of cross-cultural musical fusion.
As the band travels to each country, they meet local students who introduce them to the rich culture and traditions of their home country. These local students become cultural guides, showing the band (and your students) what daily life is like, as well as sharing stories, food, music and more.
Interactive Video Resources
On our website, students will find 5-minute videos showcasing life in each country. These videos are followed by group discussions, where students work together to create their own travel plans, share ideas and design their maps of places they would like to visit. They will also complete word games focused on the country’s language, food, geography and culture.
The 50-Minute Lesson Plan
This engaging method is perfect for a single class period:
- 5 minutes – Watch the country video.
- 15 minutes – Group discussion and travel planning: Decide on destinations, activities and create travel itineraries.
- 15 minutes – Student presentations on their travel plans.
- 15 minutes – Drawing maps of places they would like to visit and completing word games about the country.
Why It Works
This innovative approach allows students to actively engage with the world and each other. In classrooms where many students have ties to different countries, the learning becomes even more dynamic as they share their personal stories and experiences. Teachers do not need to be experts in the country being studied – the students’ own insights, combined with the virtual visits, make the learning process both meaningful and fun.
The blend of music, art, geography, math, word games and interactive discussions helps students understand landscapes, traditions and global issues in an accessible, engaging way. This method appeals to both high achievers and reluctant learners while also fostering curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
Key Takeaways:
- Explore countries like Brazil, China, India, Australia, Canada, France, South Africa, the USA, Germany, Japan, Spain and England.
- Learn about culture, food, music, geography and more through engaging 5-minute videos.
- Plan virtual travel by mapping out destinations, calculating travel times and discussing environmental issues.
- Complete word games about the country’s language, landmarks and traditions.
- Follow a 50-minute lesson plan (Video → Travel Planning → Presentations → Map Drawing → Word Games).
- Encourage students to share family stories and travel experiences.
- Foster important skills like math, geography, critical thinking, presentation skills and cultural awareness.
- Teachers have ready-to-use resources, so no need to be a country expert.
To learn more about how these immersive virtual visits to countries around the world can empower students everywhere, visit www.candokidsworldwide.com.



