Why I Bring College Students to Festivals

Sadie Wilks, selfie in Downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The short answer to the question everyone asks is I believe that practice is learning, and networking is an essential element of student success. Also, sharing food, music and space with thousands of (mostly) strangers is unparalleled learning experience.

But why take my word for it ... our students said it best in this interview with Marcelle Fontenot with KADN!

Our students get an excellent knowledge base in the classroom while building essential skills in a controlled environment. The natural next step is putting those communication and storytelling skills into practice in a live setting. Read: anything can happen, sometimes nothing happens, and deadlines are a thing.

Every experiential education project that I coordinate incorporates networking into the program. Our Manship alums are always happy to share their insight and experience with students, and our faculty have a vast professional network that helps our students successfully transition from student to professional. Given that most of us still find our next career opportunities through personal connections, this is key.

My third reason is more sentimental, as I love nonprofit communications AND sharing our unique Louisiana culture. This spring, we chose Festival International in Lafayette, Louisiana, as our offsite learning lab. The event offers a rich opportunity for cultural exchange that cannot be replicated in a classroom.

Read more about our adventures in this blog and follow our social accounts for updates. Have an idea for our next adventure? Let me know.