This study examines the educational value of immersive travel experiences as a tool for improving language acquisition in the context of teaching Romanian as a foreign language. Attempting to go beyond conventional classroom instruction, this research investigates how real-life exposure during structured road trips can improve students’ communicative competence, cultural awareness, and motivation while reducing language-related anxiety. Based on experiential learning theory, particularly Kolb’s learning cycle, the study, based on a previous preliminary study with a similar focus, involved international students enrolled in a Romanian language preparatory program who participated in two thematically organized excursions. These trips were designed to integrate language practice with cultural engagement, encouraging spontaneous interaction with native speakers and contextual use of vocabulary and grammar. Data were collected through qualitative interviews and teacher observation sheets, assessing key dimensions, such as language use in real-life scenarios (language proficiency), student anxiety and motivation, intercultural learning, and group dynamics. The findings reveal a marked increase in learners’ confidence, fluency, and engagement, with the second trip showing significantly lower anxiety levels and stronger motivation compared to the first. The study highlights the importance of integrating experiential components into language curricula and suggests that such initiatives are particularly effective when supported by structured reflection and goal-oriented tasks.

Keywords: Foreign language learning, experiential learning, non-formal education, communicative skills, immersive experiences, cultural awareness.