For the past two years,  over 200 children have “traveled around the world” . The Gallatin County Extension Service in collaboration with the Gallatin County Lower Elementary School,  help  second graders  learn  about the world around them which  encourages a global mindset in children, helps develop empathy of other cultures and can build inquisitive minds.

Last year we “visited” Germany,  with the many holiday customs , Australia,  with the  Indigenous Aboriginal people and how they communicate,, Brazil with the biggest carnival in the world,   and Mexico, with their many traditions including the Day of the Dead. .  We are continuing our journey by  visiting Japan  with their origami  and   Africa with their masks, and  several countries in Europe.

 This is not only a great opportunity for children to learn about different cultures, foods,  and traditions, it also helps children  to take turns, use their polite words, collaborate, interact with their peers, share and have leadership roles. .  

At the end of the school year, the Gallatin County Extension Office and the Gallatin County Lower Elementary School plan to invite several induvials from different countries that they have "visited"  to see and hear first hand how their cultures and tradition live on in the United States (the "melting pot"