International Studies&Travel P r o g r a m s
The Lovett School
Introduction The Lovett School encourages students to participate in international studies and travel programs to experience life beyond our campus. Our goal: to prepare our future graduates for success in a world where they will live and work as global citizens. “Travel—especially outside of the United States—can be transformative,” says Marsha Little, Lovett’s Upper School dean of academic affairs. “The experience students have of being outside their comfort zones and interacting with new people in a new setting does more to change their perspectives than just about anything we can offer on our campus.” The school sponsors spring and summer break trips to places such as China, Guatemala, Spain, France, and Italy, and invites students to consider exchange programs to complement their Lovett education. Lovett also boasts Siempre Verde, the school’s own cloudforest research station in Ecuador, which offers the investigation of conservation, ecology, Latin American culture, language, and more.
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Semester Schools Lovett sophomores and juniors have access to several semester and yearaway programs. Programs vary in scope and location, from a semester program that focuses on leadership and ethics based in Washington, D.C., to a year-abroad program focusing on language, history, and culture in France, Spain, China, or Italy. Students who are interested in such a program must first consult with the Upper School dean of academic affairs. Learn more at: www.lovett.org/semesterschools.
Laurasian Institution In partnership with the Laurasian Institution, Lovett enrolls at least one student each year from China or Japan. These students matriculate at Lovett as juniors or seniors and are immersed in our school community. Lovett students can broaden their world by hosting the Laurasian student in their home for a few weeks or a full semester. Families who are interested in hosting may see the Upper School dean of academic affairs or the headmaster. Learn more at: www.laurasian.org.
Xinwei Lei fit in so well with her new American friends that they voted her the 2011 prom queen.
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Mission Trips As a way to foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultures, Lovett offers all members of the Lovett community an opportunity to spend spring break working as volunteers in underresourced communities. Students, parents, and faculty work in partnership with the local community to fulfill real needs through construction-based projects and relationship-building activities with local schools, churches, and community groups. Participants are encouraged to explore and share personal connections to faith through reflection and discussion, and to see God’s presence in the world. It is our hope that these experiences will strengthen the dignity, cooperation, and awareness of all involved. Students have visited communities in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, among others. Learn more at: www.lovett.org/missiontrip.
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Spring Break Trip to Italy The spring break trip to Italy is offered in alternate years and is open to all students in Grades 10–12. The purpose of the trip is to explore the major classical archaeological sites of Rome and Campania and to expose students to the continuum of Italian culture from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Students will learn about the Renaissance through trips to the Vatican and various churches in Rome, Florence, and Siena. Each student will be required to research one site or museum and then present pertinent information to the group prior to visiting that particular site. In addition, each student must keep a daily journal of his travel experience. For more information, contact Upper School teacher Ken Rau at krau@lovett.org.
Western Europe Spring Break Trips Offered in alternate years, the Western Europe spring break trip typically features tours of London and Paris. This trip is designed for students interested in history, architecture, art, culture, and language. In London, students will visit Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and other famous historical sites. In Paris, students will visit The Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Musee D’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and more. This trip is available to sophomores and juniors. For more information, contact Upper School teacher Robert Sanderson at rsanderson@lovett.org.
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Spoleto (Italy) Spoleto Study Abroad Summer Session is a hands-on immersion program in the arts and humanities for high school students in Grades 10–12 who are interested in vocal music, visual arts, photography, drama, and creative writing. The program offers students who wish to grow academically, artistically, and personally an opportunity to step into the cultural and artistic heritage of the Italian Renaissance. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with talented faculty and motivated peers from around the world. In addition to developing their artistic talent in the enriching hands-on studio workshops and classes, students will take twice-weekly day trips to cities in Umbria and Tuscany. Learn more at: www.spoletostudyabroad.com.
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Confucius Institute Chinese Bridge Summer Program is available to Lovett students in Grades 9–12 through the Confucius Institute at Kennesaw State University. Students travel to Beijing, China, for two weeks. The goals of the program include promoting communication between the youth of China and the United States, enhancing the understanding of Chinese language and culture, and stimulating U.S. high school students’ interest in learning the Chinese language. Students will engage in learning programs focusing on Chinese language and culture in classroom settings, sports and social activities, and field trips to Chinese historical and cultural sites and locations of natural beauty. For more information, contact Upper School teacher Betty Hu at bhu@lovett.org.
Junior Diplomat Junior Diplomat is a French-American organization that coordinates homestays in the summer for French and American students eager to experience another culture and language. The organization actively encourages the study of French in the United States and initiates contacts between French and American students and their families. The program has two options: American students have the choice to host a French student for three or four weeks in the summer, or stay with a family in France to experience the life, culture, and language of the country in a safe environment. The main concern of the organization is the compatibility between the participants and the families. For more information, contact Upper School teacher AgnĂŠs Browning at abrowning@lovett.org.
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English Speaking Union Secondary School Exchange Through its partnership with the English Speaking Union (ESU), Lovett students can apply for gap year studies at a boarding school in the United Kingdom. During this fully funded year, students enroll in their boarding school as “upper sixth formers� (like a high school senior). The Secondary School Exchange provides an incredible chance for students to immerse themselves in life in England, travel the European continent, and forge life-long friendships with peers across the Atlantic. Up to five Lovett students each year can apply for this full scholarship. Also through the ESU, Lovett welcomes a British gap year student to our senior class each year. Lovett students can broaden their world by hosting the ESU student in their home for a few weeks or a full semester. For more information, visit a college counselor or the Upper School dean of academic affairs. Learn more at: www.esuus.org.
Gap Year Each year, several seniors opt to defer college matriculation for one year in order to spend the year traveling, serving, studying, or working. Some students spend their gap year close to home, while others travel across the country or across the world. A gap year can be extremely structured (a 13th year of high school), structured but adventurous (an international program), or unstructured (travel, work, or service). For more information, visit a college counselor or the Upper School dean of academic affairs.
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Siempre Verde In 1992, Lovett purchased 825 acres of cloud forest property in Ecuador for the purpose of creating a protected preserve and establishing a research center to support tropical conservation education. Siempre Verde, which translates to “Forever Green,� offers U.S. and Ecuadoran students an opportunity to learn conservation methods through research and the exchange of ideas. Students may also visit Siempre Verde for language immersion or service learning trips. A typical visit to Siempre Verde might include hiking on area trails, day trips to nearby villages, lectures by regional experts, study of the local culture and language, and volunteering with children at Escuela Rio Cenepa. The Research Station on property features a large laboratory for studies in botany, zoology, and entomology. Learn more at: www.siempreverde.org.
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Scholarships Several scholarship funds are available to assist Lovett students who want to extend their education beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. Each fund has its own purpose and provides either needbased or non-need based support to students seeking to travel abroad, study the humanities, or conduct an ambitious Senior Project. The amount available from each fund is limited and varies from fund to fund. The Tommy Aldredge ’74 Scholarship Program, established as a memorial to Tommy Aldredge ’74, supports outstanding Lovett students’ summer travels abroad. The travels must be educational in nature and the funds are reserved for those with some financial need. The Sally Kilpatrick Mathis ’72 Travel Study Fund, established in memory of Sally Kilpatrick Mathis ’72, defrays the costs for students to participate in non-required enrichment trips and programs with an emphasis on language and international travel experiences. The Catharine Louis Lovell ’66 Student Grant Program allows the school to offer grants designed to reward and support current Upper School students who demonstrate good character, academic curiosity, and a passion for the liberal arts. The awards provide financial support for opportunities such as travel-study programs, intensive study, and independent study. The Siempre Verde Scholarship Program is supported by two significant endowment funds—The Connie and Robert Braddy Siempre Verde Scholarship Fund and The Frankel Family Siempre Verde Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is available to Middle and Upper School students who wish to travel to Lovett’s cloudforest property. Preference will be given to students receiving regular, schoolyear tuition aid, but the committee will consider students not currently receiving tuition assistance but who have demonstrated need.
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The Daniel J. Toohey ’99 Senior Project & Creativity Fellowship Grant Program, helps seniors to pursue special and creative interests through the Senior Project and the Creativity Fellowship programs. The support may include, but is not limited to, travel, supplies, and research materials that enable the student to fully implement the plan of independent study. The Emily Dunn ’06 Memorial Scholarship for International Gap Year Studies, established in honor of Emily Dunn ’06, provides funds to defray the costs of an international gap year experience for a graduating Lovett senior. To be eligible, seniors must be admitted to a college or university and have that spot held while they are away. Applications are considered in early April. Learn more at: www.lovett.org/travelfunds.
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The Lovett School 4075 Paces Ferry Road, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30327-3009 (404) 262-3032