Shifting Perceptions of Student Travel

At one time, going abroad to soak up a rich and ancient culture was enough required for a great student trip. But those times – and students – have changed.

In 2010, students in Levels II to IV will have the opportunity to travel to Ecuador on a 12-day excursion, conducted by the Me to We organization, to build a rural community school. The program will include language (Spanish) and cultural components, along with significant leadership-building activities.

TFS has had a long tradition of outreach involvement, such as with War Child, Free the Children, Me to We and the Stephen Lewis Foundation, among others. In fact, the Outreach Club raised enough money for Free the Children to build a school in rural Kenya. So it is unsurprising that “students have been requesting to get involved in overseas community service projects through TFS,” said Kim English, Dean of Student Affairs at the Senior School.

Added Ms. English, “The Ecuador trip is a really a unique program. It’s hard to find these experiences on your own or even with your family. Also the CAS component of the IB is now encouraging more project-based experiences.”