C O A S T T O C O A S T
C2C
2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5
GlobalInitiativesProgram
Coast to Coast Global Issues Leadership Initiative
The Coast to Coast Global Issues Leadership Initiative is a signature Middle School student exchange program between four network French-American and International schools in North America, working in partnerships of two.
In 2024 - 2025, the French American School of Rhode Island (FASRI) in Providence, Rhode Island, will partner with the Austin International School (AIS) in Austin, Texas; and the San Diego French American School (SDFAS) in La Jolla, California, will partner with the French American Academy (FAA) in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs, middle school students will research the problems facing their generation and begin to develop ways to make a difference.
It is an inquiry-based and student-centered, cross age, cross curricular, cross school, and cross country collaborative.
This year's theme is fresh waters. Students from both schools will create a final product demonstrating their results and prepare a presentation to share with their own school upon conclusion of the year-long program.
Whocan participate?
A total of 10 students from each school. Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 are eligible.
AIS to FASRI Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2024
FASRI to AIS Mar 29 - Apr 2, 2025
Whendo wetravel?
Wherearethe schools?
The Coast to Coast Global Issues Leadership Initiative empowers students to live a concrete experience of academic research within the framework of an interdisciplinary project. Specifically students will learn skills and tools to collaborate with another team across space and time, discover a new place, and have the opportunity for personal growth by working with a team of peers while being away from home.
This opportunity provides students with the means necessary to explore, compare, and contrast the fresh water resources of Providence, Rhode Island with those of Austin, Texas. Students will examine how human behavior impacts our freshwater sources, and in turn, how freshwater impacts us and other organisms.
French American School of Rhode Island 75 John Street, Providence, RI 02906 Why participate?
Students will participate in active field research at freshwater sites in each location, visit educational sites, and engage in group work in the classrooms. After school hours, students will enjoy local venues with their host families and participate activities with the whole group.
1.
What is the cost?
The total cost for participation in Coast to Coast is estimated to not exceed $950 per student.
We will make every effort to keep the cost as low as possible in planning for trips and travel.
Cost includes airfare and field trips during school hours.
Parents must confirm availability to travel March 29 - April 2, 2025, and host an AIS student Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2024.
2.
Students must write a 3-5 paragraph essay in French and English answering the following questions:
Why do you want to participate in Coast to Coast?
What qualities and skills will you bring to the research team?
How will you model our school values while travelling and working with others away from our school?
Students must prepare for an interview with at least 2 adults form the school. Interviews will be Sept 4 -5, 2024. 3.
How do I apply?
The fine print
There will be a final host family verification process to match participating families from each school.
Families will be required to pick up their host student at TF Green Airport, drive them to school (or other designated local site) each day of the stay.
Families will provide their host student with a packed lunch on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of their stay.
Families wil be required to purchase travel insurance for the trip and complete waivers and paperwork to be filied with the school.
Essays are due by September 3, 2024 via email to Ms. Paquette (spaquette@fasri.org).
You may also email Ms. Paquette with any questions you have about the Coast to Coast program.