Big Field Travel designs and leads immersive international programs for students and educators. Our programs are built on long-standing relationships with partner schools, host families, and cultural institutions. Students participate in daily life abroad, taking on real responsibility within another culture rather than observing it from a distance.
Big Field was founded by educator Yukiyo Moorman.
Yukiyo Moorman
is an outstanding educator with a career spanning over 40 years. She successfully led a long-running summer exchange program, taking students to Japan more than 20 times.
In recognition of her significant contributions to Japanese language education in the United States, she received the Foreign Minister’s Award in 2017 and the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government in 2023. These honors highlight her key role in developing the Japanese language curriculum, the AP Japanese Language and Culture course, and the AP exam for secondary schools across the U.S. She has also been a long-time AP exam scorer, serving in that capacity for over 15 years.
In 2020, thanks to her advocacy, the AP Japanese exam transitioned from a floppy disk-based system to a cloud-based platform, enabling its worldwide expansion.
Beyond education, Yukiyo Moorman is the founder and CEO of September House MAJ, a nonprofit organization that provides services and support to Japanese speakers in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland areas.
She is also one of the seven original task force members and a contributor to the Japanese American Care Fund, further demonstrating her lifelong commitment to the community.
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Why Big Field?
Yukiyo Moorman has facilitated these programs for more than 20 years, typically with groups of 13–25 students. Exchanges are offered every other year and are developed in close collaboration with partner schools and educators.
- Education-first design — itineraries are shaped by learning goals, not tourism checklists
- Host family stays — students live within local communities
- School partnerships — exchange with peers, not passive observation
- Careful pacing — fewer locations and longer stays
- Experienced leadership — deep familiarity with language, culture, and logistics
Japan is the foundation of Big Field Travel. Through decades-long relationships, students participate in school exchanges, homestays, cultural study, and site-based learning that emphasizes history, memory, and contemporary life.
Outcomes for Students
Students return with:
- Increased independence and confidence
- Greater cultural literacy and empathy
- Stronger communication skills
- A deeper sense of responsibility and global awareness
Big Field 