2017 Travel Opportunities
Trip
Guatemala Service Spring Zion Backpacking Break French Exchange in Paris Artists of France and Spain May Term China Culture and Tradition Development by Design: Croatia Summer Montana Service Chilean Exchange
Leader
Dates*
Pete Jensen Jackie Keker Meg Slotkin/ Mike Houston
March 11-18, 2017 March 11-19, 2017 March 11-22, 2017
Alicia Cuccolo Dennis Hu Cort Bosc
May 20-June 2, 2017 May 20-June 1, 2017 June 14-28, 2017
Thomas Jones June 16-26, 2017 Spanish Teachers June 12-July 11, 2017
Important Dates: OCTOBER 11th – Trip Registration Opens NOVEMBER 2nd – Global Information Night NOVEMBER 17th – Trip Applications Due NOVEMBER 18th – Financial Aid Applications Due NOVEMBER 28th – Financial Aid Notifications DECEMBER 5th – All Trips Groups Confirmed DECEMBER 9th – Final Date to Withdraw from a Trip
*All dates are approximate at the moment and will be confirmed by Nov. 2nd For more information please contact the Director of Global Experiences, Cort Bosc cbosc@mka.org
FRENCH LANGUAGE IMMERSION Trip Mission: MKA students will live with host families for about 10 days over Spring Break. During the day, they will visit Paris with the MKA chaperones. At night and during the one weekend we are there, they will immerse themselves in French language and culture with their host family. In April, the DaniĂŠlou students make a return visit to join MKA families here for ten days. They spend most days exploring New York City, spending evenings and weekends with their MKA host families.
Trip Hightlights: Students will see highlights of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Orsay Museum, SacrĂŠ Coeur, a boat right on the Seine, etc. At night, students will spend time with their host family, immersing themselves in the culture, language, and cuisine of a French family. On the weekend, families will decide what to do with the MKA participant. Students from Level 1 and up are encouraged to participate. There is a maximum number of 15 students who can go, so priority will be given to students in the upper level language classes. Most of the families have a strong working knowledge of English, so even level 1 students have participated and benefitted from the exchange experience.
Trip Leader: Meg Slotkin & Michael Houston Trip Length: March 11-21 Trip Cost per student: $2300
ZION NATIONAL PARK & BLACK CANYON Backpacking & Wilderness Leadership Backpack Zion National Park: Experience the most stunning vistas of the southwest as this 9-day program explores all realms of majestic Zion National Park by backpacking beneath the towering walls, through the slot canyons and high above the park on the Angel’s Landing Trail.
Canoe Black Canyon: Overnight on the Colorado River paddling canoes for two days from Hoover Dam down the famous Black Canyon of the Colorado. Along the way soak in natural hot springs, explore the many side canyons and sandy beaches, and discover ancient sauna caves and mysterious hieroglyphics thousands of years old.
Leadership Curriculum: A subset of ARCC’s Instructor Staff Training is taught to MKA students during this course. We introduce leadership devices such as the NOLS Quadrants and True Colors Test to determine each student’s leadership style. We implement this newfound knowledge with students assuming the role of Course Leader. In this capacity, each student experiences responsibility not just for themselves, but for the entire group, leading them through group challenges and tasks.
Trip Leaders: Jackie Keker and Derek Morf Trip Length: March 11-19, 2017 Approximate Trip Cost: $2900
GUATEMALA SERVICE TRIP Trip Mission: The purpose of this program is to build four houses for families with children in the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala. We also immerse ourselves in the local culture and geography.
Highlights: • • • • •
• •
1 week long (March 12-19) Spanish Language skills are not necessary. We stay in Antigua, Guatemala but the worksites are on the outskirts of Antigua. We hike a volcano our first whole day in Antigua. Students will have the evenings to explore Antigua on their own (including meals), or join the chaperones for dinner. One afternoon will be spent exploring the culture or geography of Guatemala One evening may be spent taking a salsa dance lesson.
Trip Leaders: Pete Jensen Trip Length: March 11-18 Approximate Trip Cost: $2600
ARTISTS OF FRANCE & SPAIN: MAY TERM 2017
Trip Summary: Artists of France & Spain trip provides seniors
France: Take a guided tour of Paris by foot and metro. Explore Monet’s Giverny Gardens, the Musée du Louvre with a museum guide, Sacré-Coeur Basilica and discover Place du Tertre. Tour and bike the Palace of Versailles and examine the increasingly respected Street Art graffiti art in Paris. In Avignon visit the Place de l’Horloge and the Palais des Papes, which became the residence of the Popes in 1309. Explore ancient Roman ruins and the Provencal town of Les Baux-de-Provence, thought to be one of the most picturesque villages in France.
with the opportunity to enrich their knowledge of art and architecture in Paris, Provence, Barcelona and Madrid during the May Term. Students will explore visual art (sculpture, painting, and architecture throughout history including contemporary art). This tour will be an extraordinary experience for seniors that want to immerse themselves in the culture, history, and language of these European cities.
Spain: Examine the life of Dali in his hometown of Figueres. In Barcelona take a guided visit of Gaudi’s most famous and persistent work, the unfinished Sagrada Família (Sacred Family) church. Travel to Las Ramblas and walk to the towering Columbus Monument. Explore Barri Gòtic and the Picasso Museum, far and away the best collection of Picasso's work in Spain. See Old Madrid, and explore the 16th and 17th century narrow streets around the famous Plaza Mayor, said to be “the most elegant square in Europe.”
Trip Leader: Alicia Cuccolo Trip Length: May 20 – June 2 Approximate Trip Cost: $5300
China: Culture and Tradition
Trip Mission: The goal is for students to observe and interact with a side of China rarely seen by western tourists. They will learn about some of China’s vast history via a unique, and unforgettable, set of experiences. There is no language requirement for this trip.
Culture: Students will… • Visit Yellow Mountain, inspiration for the world famous Chinese landscape paintings. • Walk along the Bund in Shanghai & take a night boat tour through the city. • Explore the Great Wall and walk through the Forbidden City. • Stand within an arm’s reach of 1,000year-old Buddhas and take a boat around beautiful West lake-considered by many to be the most scenic lake in China.
Trip Leader: Dennis Hu Trip Length: May 20th – May 30th Estimated Trip Cost: $4600
Unique Experiences: • Learn how to cook traditional Chinese cuisine and practice with a tai chi master • Meet with a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and engage in conversation with a Daoist priest • Pick your own tea leaves and get up early to greet the sunrise on top of China’s most beautiful mountain
Spanish Language Immersion
Chilean Exchange Program in San Felipe
Speak, Learn, Explore Students studying in Level 3 Spanish or above are eligible to participate in this immersion program. The students will travel to Santiago Chile and spend three days in the capital city with the MKA chaperone. They will spend the rest of their time alone in Chile studying at Instituto AbdĂłn Cifuentes in San Felipe, Chile. They will attend classes, participate in extracurricular activities, do community service and travel in the nearby areas. Each student will live with a host student and family. Students will practice their Spanish skills in a real life setting and be immersed in daily Chilean life.
Trip Leaders: Pete Jensen Trip Length: June 12th – July 10th Approximate Trip Cost: $3000
DEVELOPMENT BY DESIGN:
Prosperity, Identity, and Entrepreneurship in Croatia Mission of ATLAS Workshops:
Croatia: On this trip, students will develop research and design skills as they explore the complex challenge of development, economic growth and current social/political dynamics in Croatia, 25 years after the Balkan wars. After decades under socialism as part of Yugoslavia, Croatia has developed a new, modern economy. A couple of years ago the country joined the EU opening up new economic opportunities but also a series of challenges. Today, as Croatia becomes a premiere tourist destination in Europe, national and local leaders are forced to balance the drive towards greater prosperity with cultural preservation. In this trip, we will explore how innovation, entrepreneurship and small business are being fostered, taking hold and impacting the country.
Travel must move beyond Tourism. Atlas Workshops are different from most short-term travel programs. Our approach is simple: • Field Research: We explore current issues in the most dynamic places on earth. Our students dive into the world through active collaboration with youth, leaders, experts, and communities from across the globe. • Preparing Students to be Global Innovators: We learn about cutting-edge topics and global trends. Our programs develop real-world skills, promote intercultural confidence, inspire big ideas, and open the doors to new cultures and communities. • Design Education: We create sophisticated final projects to synthesize what we have learned – and impact our world in the process. Our projects involve photography, business, engineering, design, art, writing, film and are highly collaborative.
Trip Leader: Cort Bosc Trip Length: June 14-28 Approximate Trip Cost: $4500
MONTANA SERVICE TRIP Mission: This trip allows students to engage personally with the world and to recognize complexity and value empathy. It also will provide them the chance to change to strengthen their intellect, character and confidence and promote their active citizenship and leadership integrity.
Working with the Blackfeet: In the high plains just east of Glacier National Park, live members of the Blackfeet Nation. The service program enables you to work alongside Native peoples and learn about their culture and day-to-day life. From cooking and serving meals at an assisted living center to reading aloud to children at the Boys and Girls Club or painting bleachers at a horse racing stadium, there are many ways to share your experiences and talents with the local community. Trip Highlights include: • 6 hours of service everyday • Participation in community cultural events • Visit Glacier National Park • Horseback riding • Possible trip to annual reenactment of the Battle of Little Big Horn
Trip Leaders: Thomas Jones Trip Length: June 16-26 Approximate Trip Cost: $2600