Today, learning can happen anywhere. Classes are online, lectures are recorded, and information is shared instantly. This makes education more accessible than ever. However, easy access does not always mean deep learning.
Watching from a screen is helpful, but it does not fully prepare people to understand how the real world works. True learning often comes from being present, observing closely, and feeling the environment around you. This is why the travel part of ABC programs is so important for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Why Being There Matters
One of our guest speakers, Lisa Friedman, a business strategist and consultant from California, explains this idea clearly:
“The most important lesson is to observe what is happening in the world and identify new opportunities—especially those that were not possible before. From there, find a vision that is truly your own: something you are deeply committed to, and that meets an important need in the world.”
This kind of observation cannot fully happen online. It requires being physically present. Travel allows participants to see how industries work in real life, not just how they look in presentations or reports.
Guided tour of the IBM campus in Silicon Valley
Learning by Living Inside the Ecosystem
When participants travel, they do not just study an ecosystem. They live inside it. They walk through cities, see how companies operate day-to-day, and understand local culture, challenges, and habits.
This type of learning uses all the senses. People see, hear, and experience things directly. Research shows that experiential learning helps people remember and understand information better. People retain much more knowledge through hands-on learning than through reading or listening alone.
Being inside the ecosystem also helps participants notice details that are easy to miss online. These small details often lead to better ideas and stronger insights.
Visiting Companies in Person Creates Profound Understanding
Seeing companies in person changes how people learn. Participants can observe workspaces, team dynamics, and decision-making styles. They can ask questions in real time and see how leaders respond to challenges.
These visits turn ideas into reality. Concepts discussed in class suddenly make sense when participants see how they are applied in real businesses. This direct exposure helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.
ABC Silicon Valley 2025 participants at Oracle
Why the Brain Learns Better Through Immersion
Science also supports immersive learning. Studies show that learning in rich, real-world environments activates more brain regions. This improves memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
When people learn through experience, they are more flexible and better able to adapt. This is especially important in a world that is constantly changing.
Face-to-Face Conversations Create Real Impact
Meeting guest speakers and industry professionals in person makes learning more meaningful. Conversations feel more natural and honest. Participants can ask deeper questions and gain insights that are unplanned or unscripted. Most of the in-person interactions lead to stronger collaboration and better idea development compared to virtual communication. These moments often leave a lasting impression and help participants shape their own goals and direction.
Informal discussion with a guest lecturer after the session
Turning Learning Into Purpose
Lisa Friedman also reminds us that meaningful work must matter personally:
“The goal should be meaningful and ambitious—the bigger and deeper the impact, the better.”
Travel helps participants connect learning with purpose. Seeing real challenges and real people makes goals clearer and more personal. This connection helps participants stay committed, even when the journey becomes difficult.
Why Travel Is the Heart of ABC Programs
ABC programs are designed to create real change, not just share information. While online learning is useful, it cannot replace the power of being there. Travel allows participants to experience innovation on their skin, inside the environments where ideas are born and tested. Immersive travel turns education into experience, and experience into lasting impact. Want to experience it yourself? Enroll now and learn through travel!
