Global Travel At MKA, we value the integration of classroom learning and real-world experience. As we prepare our students to live and work in the 21st Century, we strive to “engage each student personally and intellectually with the world,” as our Mission Statement suggests. Through travel, students find themselves in a position to affect change because they are encouraged to build bridges between themselves and people in other places. The following programs provide opportunities for students to apply what they study in the classroom in a global setting and to help them to cultivate a world perspective through experience. These descriptions are a guideline of what may be offered during a student’s years at the Upper School and the decision to run a program is contingent upon student enrollment, staffing availability, and the safety and security landscape. Please note: all students have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to help support the cost of one trip.
FRENCH LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITIES One of the most rewarding aspects of language study is the chance to use the skills learned in the classroom and experience another culture in an authentic setting. To that end, French students at MKA have the opportunity to participate in two trips in their four-year high school career to practice their French and become acquainted with two small corners of the vast French-speaking world. First, French students have the opportunity to be part of a cultural immersion program in Guadeloupe. On this spring break experience students will stay with host families and explore a school setting as well as immerse themselves in local culture. Secondly, in alternating years, MKA offers a five-day excursion to Québec over Presidents’ Weekend. This trip is designed to expose students to a flavor of Québécois culture and history at the time of year that Québec is at its most beautiful - winter! In some years, this trip coincides with the Carnaval de Québec, the largest winter carnival in North America.
BACKPACKING AND WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP This annual spring break trip centers on a 3 to 5-day backcountry hiking experience. The other component of the trip alternates between completing a Wilderness First Aid Training course and an outdoor adventure course. Locations include Zion National Park, California’s Lost Coast, Big Sur, Point Reyes, Yosemite National Park, and Lake Tahoe. ARCC, a leader in educational travel, will organize the logistics for the on-the-ground portion of our trip and will provide us with a certified Wilderness First Responder as our backcountry guide for each hiking group. This trip will provide students with a chance to develop leadership skills and confidence in their ability to explore the outdoors. Students will return from the trip as certified providers of first aid and CPR in that environment.
CHINA: LANGUAGE, TRADITION, AND CULTURE An opportunity to travel to China will be offered every year, alternatingly in June (open to students who study Chinese) or as part of May Term (open to all seniors). The June trip will focus primarily on Chinese language acquisition and includes a three-night homestay in the ancient capital of Xi’an, as well as a visit to our sister school there. Students will also take part in many rich cultural activities and will volunteer at the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. The May Term program is designed to allow students to explore Chinese tradition and culture, and to offer a glimpse of China seldom seen by Westerners. The May Term trip includes visits to some of the finest achievements of the Middle Kingdom including: the Great Wall, the Hanging Monastery, and the Forbidden City.
SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION This exchange is with Instituto Abdón Cifuentes, a prestigious private school in San Felipe, Chile. A small group of students from that school will come to MKA during the month of February and, in turn, MKA Spanish students will travel to Chile in June. Both in Chile and at MKA, students will participate in curricular activities at the host school and will be offered trips in the surrounding areas. In order for students to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture of the host country, students will stay with host families hand-selected by the hosting school. Our longest lasting program, this exchange will reach its eleventh year during the 2020-2021 school year! Please note that MKA students may participate in either part of the exchange or in both parts. In order to travel to Chile, MKA students must have completed Spanish 3 by the summer of the year they travel. 15
