In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael speaks with Haena Kim, a global leader in experiential education and a driving force behind WildChina Education and Beyond Classrooms. Haenna shares how her early experiences in education sparked a lifelong passion for immersive learning and how she began designing programs as a teenager.

The conversation explores how experiential education operates in a globalized world, the importance of cross-cultural engagement, and how thoughtfully designed field programs can deepen learning outcomes for students. Haenna also discusses the realities of running experiential programs at scale, from safety systems and risk culture to building trust with schools and parents.

They also dive into service learning, and why honest engagement with communities, rather than romanticized narratives, is key to meaningful global citizenship programs.

Finally, Haenna reflects on the future of experiential learning in an AI-driven world and why embodied, real-world experiences may become more valuable than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How early outdoor experiences can shape lifelong learning journeys
• Designing experiential programs that support real academic outcomes
• Building global citizenship through cross-cultural engagement
• The difference between service learning and transactional volunteering
• Managing safety, risk, and scale in international experiential programs
• Why experiential education may be more important in an AI-driven future

If you care about outdoor education, global learning, and the power of experiences beyond the classroom, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas.