PROFESSIONAL
ECO-ADVENTURE
INTERNSHIPS
SERVICE
RELATIONSHIPS
I N SPI RE GUIDE
NEW EXPERIENCES
IMMERSION
INSPIRE
9-16 NOVEMBER
2018
The American School of Dubai, an independent not-for-profit American community school, offers what is the best about American education to provide learning experiences designed to promote the maximum potential of its students. OUR MISSION The American School of Dubai’s mission is to challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world. CORE VALUES Compassion | Excellence | Integrity | Respect | Responsibility STUDENT PROFILE Thinker | Communicator | Contributor | Learner | Leader & Role Model CONTACT P.O. Box 71188 Dubai, UAE +971 4 395 0005 www.asdubai.org
CONTENTS
ASD INSPIRE Guide 2018 |
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Welcome
FROM MR. BRAWN
Purpose 04 Learning Outcomes
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Trip Providers
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Timeline, Eligibility and Trip Selection
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Expectations and Responsibilities
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Health and Safety
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Important INSPIRE Policies Cancellation of INSPIRE Trips Trip Emergency Insurance Security Notice
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Frequently Asked Questions
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INSPIRE Week has been designed to do just that: to create a series of meaningful and fulfilling experiences for the students of our high school. As you read through this guide, imagine the possibilities, but keep in mind your broader goals. Undoubtedly, this trip will have profound impact on you for years to come and you should carefully consider what it is you would like to take from this opportunity. Through INSPIRE Week, we aim to expose our students to those things that we believe will instill passion in them, dare them to adapt, inspire them to contribute and to dream about rapidly changing the world. We are thrilled to embark on this journey together. Have a wonderful INSPIRE Week,
Kevin Brawn Kevin Brawn High School Associate Principal
Immersion
INSPIRE
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The mission of the American School of Dubai is to challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner, prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world. INSPIRE Week, which is November 9 - 16, 2018, is about fulfilling the mission of ASD in authentic ways, and exposing our students to new and exciting opportunities.
New experiences Service
Professional Internships
Relationships
Eco-adventure
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PURPOSE STATEMENT INSPIRE extends the school experience to promote personal growth, challenge assumptions, explore passions, transform relationships, and build community.
LEARNING OUTCOMES INSPIRE is a unique opportunity meant to help students demonstrate a passion for learning and contribute in a rapidly changing world by addressing a challenge, an opportunity or a situation. To meet the interests of our high school students, a diverse range of opportunities in both focus and geographic location has been compiled. No matter the INSPIRE trip, students will have the opportunity to contribute and improve our world while also further exploring their passions. Students’ growth through the INSPIRE experience will be demonstrated through reflection and journaling. The self-assessment performed by students will be affirmed and validated by the INSPIRE teacher trip leaders through their own reflective narrative crafted at the end of the experience.
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Trip Providers Providers chosen for INSPIRE are reputable organizations with strong histories and experience in guiding student learning trips. A-List Dubai is an innovative educational services provider founded in 2014 to deliver elite university preparation to the Gulf region. A-List Dubai takes a personal approach to test preparation and university advising, building curricula tailored to students’ individual needs. Its dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure students from all backgrounds achieve their academic goals and are prepared for their educational futures. www.alisteducation.com/uae/ Absolute Adventure is an award winning Dubai-based adventure tour operator, founded in 2005. Operating out of multiple adventure centers in the UAE and Oman, Absolute Adventure enjoys unique access to some of the most beautiful areas of the country, including protected wildlife reserves. Its progressive programs and school expeditions are specially designed to develop independence, leadership, communication and team working skills in students of all ages. Its programs are delivered by a team of over 40 specialized outdoor learning instructors via a range of adventure activities such as rock climbing, high ropes, bouldering, kayaking, paddle boarding, mountain biking, archery, geo-caching, orienteering and bushcraft/survival. As members of the Institute of Outdoor Learning and the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, students also gain a deeper understanding of the environment around them and how to protect it. Serious Adventure, Serious Fun! www.adventure.ae Asia Pacific Adventures, based in Hong Kong, specializes in outdoor experiential learning and has been a leading provider in Asia for over 15 years. Using the outdoors as classroom, the company incorporates innovative, high-impact and meaningful programs with a focus on personal and team development. Its programs take place around some of the most exciting locations in Asia and are led by an international team of passionate and experienced staff. www.asiapacificadventure.com Camps International is an international volunteer travel operator headquartered in the United Kingdom and Dubai. Founded in 2002, Camps International builds permanent volunteer accommodation camps within Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Borneo, Cambodia, Ecuador and Peru. It provides volunteer trips, adventure expeditions and educational volunteer expeditions for school groups. The company employs over 150 local people from the communities surrounding their camps. www.campsinternational.com
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Club Europe is the UK’s leading school tour operator. A family-owned company, they have been organizing bespoke school trips worldwide for students from around the world since 1980. Club Europe specializes in school music tours, school ski trips and sports tours as well as a wide range of curriculum-focused educational school trips. The company takes great care in ensuring trips are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of each individual group. www.club-europe.co.uk Ecofieldtrips is an established field trip provider, which has been educating and inspiring students since 1997. The company’s trips are tailored to meet the requirements of individual schools. Whether it be fun ecosystem introductions or service projects, students receive a hands-on experience. The diverse staff is comprised of biologists, geographers and outdoor educators from around the world who want to foster and instill positive attitudes toward the environment. www.ecofieldtrips.com.sg Good Earth Global/OCEAN Nepal Good Earth Global’s mission is to employ and promote Earthbag technology and other sustainable building methods, and to teach these methods to others. Using the soil from under people’s feet, Good Earth Global helps villagers in developing countries build disaster-resistant, affordable and eco-friendly homes and schools, and teach an emerging class of builders, architects and engineers to build safely and sustainably. After the 2014 Earthquake, GEG has been active in the country in providing affordable and, more importantly, safe housing for those hit hardest by the earthquake. Orphan and Children Education Association of New Nepal (OCEAN Nepal) was established in 2005 by Rajendra Subedee and is a non-profit and non-government organization. OCEAN Nepal operates a children’s home in Kathmandu, which currently provides care for sixteen children. OCEAN Nepal’s goal is to equip our children with the necessary skills to enable them to become self-sufficient adults. OCEAN Nepal believes that education is the best way to meet this goal. OCEAN Nepal provides the children with a safe and loving environment. OCEAN has been coordinating visits and has partnered with international schools. www.goodearthglobal.org | www.ocean.org
Gulf Photo Plus - GPP is Dubai’s center for photography, equipping and inspiring the local and international photography community through photography workshops, free artist talks, state-of-the-art printing services, and the region’s longest-running international photography event, GPP Photo Week. https://gulfphotoplus.com/ Mountain Quest provides interactive and eco-friendly adventures in Nepal and the Himalayas. In addition, meaningful service projects that enhance host communities economic prospects are offered in Laos. The company, headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal and Dubai, specializes in treks and mountain expeditions. www.mountainquests.com The Palms Dive Center has been operating on the East Coast of the UAE since 2007. Dive training is conducted in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean by qualified Multi Lingual PADI instructors with experience in teaching scuba diving to children and teens. Its team will make sure that all students end the scuba program confident, happy and successfully! www.radissonblu.com/en/resort-fujairah/services Rustic Pathways is a leader in unique international community service, adventure, and education programs that take high school students to some of the most exciting destinations in the world. It offers over 100 programs in 18 countries. The company’s goal is to educate students on how to travel responsibly and actively support community initiatives in the places visited. www.rusticpathways.com The Swiss Student Leadership Camp specializes in leadership development. The company’s specially designed programs combine outdoor, team-building activities with group discussions and coaching. In a Swiss mountain setting, participants develop leadership skills, set goals, and learn about time and stress management. www.swissleadershipcamp.com
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Timeline, Eligibility & Trip Selection TIMELINE
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
INSPIRE Information - Semester II (Spring) Student INSPIRE Assembly
April 26
Student Information Session During Advisory
April 29
Parents INSPIRE Information Sessions (AM & PM)
May 2
Grade 8 Student Information Session
May 3
Trip Selection INSPIRE Form Distribution
May 6
INSPIRE Form Submission (With Passport & Visa Copies)
May 15
Job Shadow Proposals Due (Part I only)
May 20
Choice Selection Email to Parents & Student
May 23
Trip Payment Due (50%)
May 31
New Students and Parents Information - Semester I (Fall) Student INSPIRE Assembly
August 28
Parents INSPIRE Information Session
August 28
September 9
Choice Selection Email
September 13
Job Shadow Proposals Due (Part I & II)
September 16
Final Preparations - All Students and Parents Job Shadow Due (Part II)
September 16
ASD and Provider Medical Forms Due
September 23
Final Payment Due
September 23
INSPIRE Pre Departure Parent Meeting Be INSPIRED!
Each student is required to have a current UAE residency visa and passport that is valid six months at date of travel. INSPIRE Week starts on November 9, 2018. Students whose passport expires before May 9, 2019 need to apply for a new passport before traveling on INSPIRE Week. U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania must have a passport valid for a minimum of one year (November 9, 2019) at date of travel. Students with repeated disciplinary or academic concerns may be restricted to Dubai-based participation for INSPIRE Week.
THE TRIP SELECTION PROCESS
New Students and Parents Trip Selection INSPIRE Form Submission (With Passport & Visa Copies)
All high school students at the American School of Dubai participate in INSPIRE Week as part of the high school curriculum and graduation requirement.
October 21 November 9-16
The High School will hold a student assembly in April and a parent information session in May to communicate the trip selection process in full. At the annual trip fair, students will have an opportunity to learn more about trips that they have predetermined to be of interest to them individually. Trip selections will be made by students at the end of May and students notified of their trip placement shortly thereafter. At the time of trip selection, students must provide color copies of their passport, residence visa and any other country visa that may apply to the student’s trip selection.
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Expectations & Responsibilities PARENT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Stay Informed Parents can find all information about a student’s trip in the PowerSchool Learning pages. Remember, PowerSchool Learning is accessed through ASD family email account. Parents are encouraged to stay informed and be engaged throughout the trip process - from selection through travel. As with all student travels, there is a required student and parent meeting in the weeks prior to travel. Documentation & Permission Recognizing there are factors in trip selection that require parental input, the High School incorporates parent approval into the early stages of the process. This ensures that students pursue trips that are fully supported at home. Please see the trip selection section of this guide for specifics. Additionally, parents must ensure that all paperwork is completed - this includes ensuring that passports and visas are valid and secured, medical and
emergency forms are fully completed, and all permission forms are signed and discussed with their student(s). By signing the trip selection form, parents are agreeing to all terms and conditions of travel for an international trip with ASD. If a parent is uncomfortable with international travel, they should come to agreement with their child on an alternate experience based in the UAE. Note the following important criteria for trip selections: •T he medical needs of the student •T he need for immunizations to the desired locations •T he need for additional equipment required for the trip (i.e., trekking) •T he respective complications that may exist given the passport the student will be travelling under •T he possible need and associated difficulties in securing a visa for the trip selected •T he type of lodging and food associated with the trip
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• The level of physical rigor that the trip requires • The possibilities for in-country travel and transportation at INSPIRE locations • The understanding that should a student fall short of expectations for student conduct as detailed in the Student Expectations and Waiver for Overnight Travel, parents will assume the responsibilty for the cost incurred by ASD of returning the student to ASD early, or the need for the parents to travel to the INSPIRE location to collect their student. Finances Families should pay fees in a timely manner, according to published deadlines. Fees are paid to the ASD Business Office, located on the second floor of the Administration Building. • All trip costs are inclusive of in-country lodging, activities, in-country travel, meals and insurance for emergencies once the trip has begun. • All trip costs are exclusive of international flight; costs for visas and immunizations; personal spending money; and costs of transport to and from the Dubai airport. • Students/families are responsible for securing necessary visas, immunizations, or medical treatment required prior to travel. • Once trip assignments have been made and flights
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booked, refunds will be dependent upon the policies of the trip providers and the airlines. Any refund received will be passed on to families after the trip take place. Refunds will be paid out beginning of 2019. • There will be two trip payments. The first payment will be due by May 31 and will represent 50% of the total projected cost of the trip. The final balance payment will be due no later than September 23. • ASD makes final payment on all travel arrangements with both vendors and airlines 45 days before travel (September 25). Trip Payment Schedule May 31
September 23
Payment 1 (50% of trip cost) Final Payment (100%))
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES INSPIRE is a curricular activity and, as such, students are held to the same expectations, responsibilities, and consequences as if they were on the ASD campus. Additional expectations may be set due to the nature of travel and activities on each trip. These will be communicated by trip chaperones during trip meetings at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
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Health & Safety Student health and safety are of the utmost priority at the American School of Dubai. The nature and purpose of INSPIRE Week may expose students to a degree of risk not typical of regular, on-campus activities. Trips may include hiking, kayaking and other physical activity. The High School Administration has vetted the INSPIRE trip providers and the trips to minimize potential risks and determine necessary safety procedures. Given the location of some INSPIRE trips, particularly those in Africa and Southeast Asia, vaccinations may be required or recommended. The Health Office advises that students get vaccinations at least 4-6 weeks in advance of departure for maximum effectiveness. CDD Website and APP: Â www.cdc.gov/travel or download free mobile app Travwell CDC.
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Important INSPIRE Policies Cancellation of INSPIRE Trips Once a student has been placed on an INSPIRE trip, there is no allowance for changes to trip assignments. When trip lists are established in May, flights are blocked with airlines that require a deposit to hold seats on flights. Additionally, 90 days from INSPIRE Week (August 11), trip vendors begin to book internal transportation, meals and lodging and they lose the ability to recover expenditures at this time. Then, 45 days prior to travel, all arrangements have been finalized and funds forwarded to trip vendors. In the event of a last minute emergency cancellation, it can take months for any funds to be returned to ASD. It is likely that a family will experience a significant delay in receiving any amount that can be refunded. ASD does not assess penalties for cancellation, and a family will be responsible for any cancellation costs from vendors and/or airlines. It is unlikely that a cancellation does not carry a financial penalty from the trip vendor or airline. Trip Emergency Insurance All INSPIRE Week international trips include insurance to cover the costs of needed medical and emergency support during the INSPIRE Week trip. This insurance is in place in the unfortunate event that something occurs once the INSPIRE Week trip has begun. ASD, in conjunction with the trip providers, has attempted to account for emergencies that emerge during travel and to expedite care for students in an emergency situation. This insurance does not cover the cost of families personal financial circumstances or a change in their desire to travel to the selected INSPIRE Week location. Every attempt will be made to support families should a change in their
residential status occur. There is no provision for when a family changes their decision to participate in an international trip for INSPIRE Week. In the event that a family changes their decision to participate in international travel or a Dubaibased paid INSPIRE Week trip, the family can anticipate a potential financial responsibility to airline or travel providers for expenses incurred on behalf of the student in preparation for INSPIRE Week participation. Security Notice ASD has worked with trip vendors to find trips that have been vetted for security to ensure the safety of our students. ASD informs the US embassy of travel plans well in advance of student travel and monitors travel advisories that are released in the months prior to student travel. Should ASD, in consultation with the U.S. Embassy, conclude that travel to a previously planned site becomes unsafe, every attempt will be made to move all students to a comparable trip in a location free of the same risks. Parents should also do their own investigation of the countries their students are considering for INSPIRE Week so that they have the highest degree of agreement with the student choices made for travel. Mobile Phone Policy Beginning in 2018, mobile phones will not be allowed on INSPIRE trips. All teachers and the service provider will have in-country SIM cards and will be reachable at all times and in contact with the INSPIRE Headquarters in Dubai. Parents will be kept informed of trip happenings through PS Learning and the administrators in charge will be in contact with parents directly if the need arises.
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Frequently Asked Questions What do I need to know about my passport?
Will I have to get immunizations in order to travel?
Each student is required to have a current UAE residency visa and a passport that is valid for six months at date of travel. INSPIRE Week starts on November 9, 2018. Students whose passport expires before May 9, 2019 need to apply for a new passport before traveling on INSPIRE Week. U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania must have a passport valid for a minimum of one year (until November 9, 2019) at date of travel.
Depending upon the location of your INSPIRE trip, you may be advised and/or required to be immunized against certain preventable diseases. Beyond this, it may also be advised that students traveling to certain locations take prophylaxis to further ensure their continued good health. More details about immunizations and prophylaxis will be shared with you on the PowerSchool Learning pages and your trip leaders.
Who will book my flight?
CDD Website and APP: Â www.cdc.gov/travel or download free mobile app Travwell CDC.
All international flights will be arranged by ASD. Parents are responsible for flight costs which are in addition to the trip price listed in this guide. Will someone help me obtain my visa? Some INSPIRE trips require visas. Although guidance will be provided, it is up to each family to ensure their student obtains the necessary visa. Prior to signing up for any trip, families should check the visa requirements for their passport traveling to the destination of all their choices.
What should I pack and what should I leave behind? No matter your trip, it is highly advised that you pack just what you can comfortably carry. Additionally, it is not recommended to take items of value either monetary or personal. More specific information about what to pack for your trip will be uploaded on the PowerSchool Learning pages specific to your trip that is provided by the Trip Vendors.
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Can I change trips once I’ve been assigned? International trips are not changed without some compelling reason. If a change of placement is required due to substantial medical or other reasons, students can consider trip options based in Dubai. Any other changes or withdrawal from a trip are subject to financial penalty as deposits are made in advance of travel. For additional information, please check the trip cancellation section on page 11. Do I have to go? INSPIRE is part of our curricular program and participation is a mandatory requirement at the American School of Dubai. All students are expected to participate in INSPIRE Week. There is a wide range of local opportunities designed to match a variety of interests for those who are unable to travel outside of Dubai. Is my participation graded? INSPIRE is part of our curricular program and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Can I sign up with my friend? INSPIRE allows students to pursue individual interests and passions. Friends who share those same passions may choose some of the same trip options, however there is no guarantee of trip placement based on friendship. Why isn’t the INSPIRE cost included in tuition? INSPIRE trips are selected with a broad range of appeal to best match student interests and passions. As a result, the costs of the trips vary widely. Keeping the cost separate from tuition allows families to pay the true cost of the trips they choose. Can I bring my mobile phone? The power of the INSPIRE experience is enhanced when students fully engage and remain present in the moment with their peers while on the trip. As such, we require that students not travel with a mobile phone during their trips. A comprehensive communication plan has been developed and will ensure timely and consistent contact with traveling groups if the need arises. How can I best stay informed about my trip? Trip information is disseminated through PowerSchool Learning. Once you are identified with a trip, your communication will be channelled through PowerSchool Learning to keep everyone updated with the latest information from Trip Leaders and Vendors.
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Notes
This publication is printed on Cocoon paper, 100% recycled and certified by the FSCÂŽ (Forest Stewardship CouncilÂŽ) as coming from sustainably managed sources.
P.O. Box 71188 Dubai, U.A.E. +971 4 395 0005 ext. 4011
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inspire@asdubai.org
www.asdubai.org