Global Learning
To better prepare students to navigate both the opportunities and challenges inherent in our increasingly interconnected world, ECFS extends the boundaries of traditional learning and the traditional classroom with global learning, a central tenet of the school’s Strategic Plan.
Whether it's the partnerships that we have formed with schools and other educational or non-profit groups in China (Beijing and Nanjing) and French Guiana, travel programs to France, Spain, Quebec, and elsewhere that complement our students’ study of foreign languages, or service programs faculty have led in Costa Rica and Haiti, global learning at ECFS enriches our academic programs with the multicultural dimensions of learning at all stages of development.
Travel Programs 2019–2020
Ghana: Africans in the Diaspora (Middle School)
Members of the MS club and US alumni of Africans in the Diaspora will have the opportunity to travel to Ghana during spring break 2020. This trip will provide students with a look into Ghana’s history as well as the opportunity to see rural and urban life in modern day Ghana. In partnership with Project Okurase, during this 9-day trip, students will visit the village of Okurase in Ghana to participate in community projects aimed at improving sustainability for the people in the village. While working with the people in Okurase, we will participate in a cultural exchange of customs, history, language and art. Students will also visit: Shai Hills Resource Reserve to learn about local flora and fauna, Cape Coast and the African Diaspora Museum, Makola Market in Accra, Kwame Nkrumah National Park, and the historic Elmina Castle. There we will learn about the history of the slave trade in Ghana and its connection to Charleston, South Carolina. This trip is available to Middle School students who are enrolled in Africans in the Diaspora or Upper School students who were formerly enrolled in the club.
Rome: ECFS Spring Trip to Rome (Middle School)
This trip is connected to the 8th grade history curriculum (ancient civilization) as well as the Latin program. We will stay in Rome and spend our time exploring some of the main highlights of the city. We will focus on classical elements such as the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and Ostia Antica but we will look at some Medieval, Renaissance, and more modern elements, as well. We also experience the modern city of Rome through extensive walking and extended dinners at local restaurants
Québec: Voyage à Québec (Middle School)
By the time they embark for Quebec, students have been studying French for three years. They now get a chance to visit a French speaking place that is close to their hometown (the Province of Québec is adjacent to NY State) and practice their French. It is also a great way to wrap up their three Middle School years of studying French. They stay with local families and experience first hand the culture and language they have been studying. During the day they visit historical sights and museums, and participate in outdoor activities. Prior to the trip 8th grade French students study the history of Québec, New France and French-speaking Canada in class.
South Africa: The Liberation Tour (Upper School)
On this trip, students experience the beautiful music, food, and culture of South Africa, while also learning about South African social justice movements. Students will visit important landmarks in Cape Town and in Johannesburg, such as Robben Island, Iziko Slave Lodge, the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela House, and Constitutional Hill, to learn more about the fight for racial justice and liberation that catapulted South Africa into the international spotlight. In addition, students will learn about contemporary social justice movements and will partner with a local non-profit organization as part of a service learning project focused digital social justice in South African townships. Of course, we cannot leave South Africa without traversing Table Mountain by aerial cableway, experiencing the music and culture of South Africa at the Lesedi Cultural Village, and spotting wildebeests on safari at Kruger National Park.
Dominican Republic: Leadership in the D.R. (Upper School)
The focus of this trip revolves around understanding the various ways people promote, engage, and lead others in bettering their communities and environment. We will connect with nonprofits that work with children and students, public health issues, the environment (whales!), and human rights. Students will have an opportunity to have an exchange with high school students from the Dominican Republic and engage in an environmental service project that will be tailored to the needs of a local community. In the midst of all of this, students will get to speak and hear Spanish, Haitian Creole, enjoy local cuisine, learn about the history and culture, and enjoy beach time (including snorkeling).
Japan: ECFS Highlights of Japan (Upper School)
This unique trip has Tokyo as its base, but offers a snapshot of the many amazing cultural experiences that Japan has to offer. Not only will we visit some of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods – Shinjuku, Ginza, Harajuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa – but also the equally iconic Mt. Fuji. We will explore the picturesque historic town of Nikko, featuring various shrines associated with the Tokugawa clan, who were the shoguns of Japan for over 250 years. We will spend a day in Yokohama, a multicultural city which has the largest Chinatown in Japan … and a Ramen Museum! You will have the opportunity to make friends when we visit a local high school in Tokyo. Last but not least, for those of you who love anime, manga, or any of the kawaii characters that Japan is famous for, we will visit the Suginami Animation Museum and Tokyo Character Street. Whether you are a history buff, foodie, shopaholic, fashionista, pop culture fan, urban explorer, or simply curious to experience one of the most famous cities on the planet, this trip is for you!
London: Guerrilla Filmmaking (Upper School)
Over the course of a year, students will write short screenplays, then - during spring break - travel to London to film them. In collaboration with a seasoned feature-film director, students will film at locations specific to their script, work with professional actors, and collaborate on a final project. This is an arts-centric trip that includes a backstage tour of the National Theater (while a show is in progress), famous film and television locations (including the Harry Potter films) and a chance to explore the eclectic art scene of London (urban art installations, avant garde plays, museums). From the hidden underground metro to a view from the top of the Shard, through the picturesque and hip neighborhoods of Notting Hill, Shoreditch, Covent Garden, and South Bank, making an original movie offers a unique way to intimately know London, resulting in a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
