Every year, Choate students have the unique opportunity to study abroad. This year, new study abroad opportunities have been introduced for the next spring term in order for students to gain a better understanding of thematic, geographic, and linguistic diversity amongst cultures.
With this year’s spring term travel abroad destinations set in Greece, Spain, Egypt, and Singapore, Choate students and faculty will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, and fully immerse themselves in a whole new culture, packed with hands-on learning experiences to expand their horizons. For students currently on financial aid, these trips are still accessible. Funds are provided through Choate’s Beyond the Classroom fund, in order to ensure that all Choate students have equal access to study abroad opportunities.
From March 3–11, Dr. Selena Gell and Dr. Scott Davis will be leading a group of 10–12 students to explore cultural shifts in Greece. The trip will also focus on sustainability and understanding how to address it using the limited resources of ancient knowledge, history, and culture. While Greece’s external environment has changed throughout the years, much of its history and culture have been preserved. During a brief trip to Crete and its farms, students will explore how ancient myths overlap with current food supply and distribution.
On those same dates, Ms. Le’ah Griggs will lead a group of up to 16 people on a trip to Seville, Spain, focusing on art, identity, and memory. Seville has been settled, conquered, and resettled time and time again by many different countries, which has shaped the region’s monuments, cathedrals, mosques, and art. Students will learn how different cultures collided to create coherent and renowned pieces of architecture — such as the Mezquita of Cordoba. The trip will culminate with a social-justice-themed graffiti workshop.
From March 3–12, Mr. Yassine Benzanine, Ms. Kolina Ozay, and Mr. Nick Tagge will be taking a group of 15–16 students to Egypt to dive into the country’s contribution to mathematics and astronomy, which have evolved into modern theorems and truths. Most notably, there will be a Nile River cruise, and additional opportunities to recreate famous Egyptian experiments in the capital city of Cairo.
The last trip to take place is to Singapore, from June 3–12, led by Dr. Carol Chen-Lin and Mr. Craig Johnson. This trip aims to unpack entrepreneurship in one of the world’s most innovative cities. Students will follow the timeline of the history of Singapore, visiting museums and cultural landmarks in Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Little India, as well as pay a visit to see incubators along the way. There will also be opportunities to discuss what is next for the prosperous nation in environmental awareness, sustainability, technology, etc. The trip is open for up to 16 participants in third, fourth, or fifth form.
All of these trips allow students to turn what they have already learned into a memorable, interpersonal experience. Especially after being restricted by the pandemic, “We were thrilled to see the response that students had [to this year’s trip offerings”, said Director of Global Studies Ms. Ashley Sinclair.
Choate’s short-term travel abroad trips have become more purposeful throughout the years, particularly in that they are no longer solely focused on sightseeing, but rather are “acknowledging that our teachers have such a wealth of amazing experiences and interests that they want to be able to share with students,” said Ms. Sinclair.
