Global Engagement at Lovett

Global engagement The Lovett School

“Whether it was reading Into the Wild at the top of The Trinity Alps in California; completing a math assignment on the banks of El Rio Nuble in Chile; or learning Spanish through communicating with natives in the small town of Choshuenco, Chile, at The Alzar School, I experienced academics in numerous new and exciting environments.

These new environments taught me how to apply the skills I learned in class to the real world, something difficult to comprehend in a traditional setting.

I now see the world through an entirely different lens, one full with opportunities and adventures for me to take advantage of.”

Estée Park ’16

Introduction The Lovett School’s Vision for Learning speaks to the school’s

desire to develop students who are “prepared to think and act with empathy as responsible global citizens in an increasingly

diverse landscape.” Through their coursework on Lovett’s campus, students start to understand cultures and histories different

from their own. Beyond our campus, we challenge students to

reach outside their comfort zones to engage authentically with

others, often in settings that stretch them physically, emotionally, academically, and culturally. And by bringing international

students to our community for a few weeks or a few years at

a time, we expand the number of interactions that each Lovett

student will have with someone who brings a different background, culture, and worldview. From globally oriented coursework, to

international service trips, to short-term exchanges, to semesters away, there are myriad opportunities for Lovett students to expand their horizons. With each new experience, they see

more, they understand more, they empathize more; with each new experience, they develop as engaged global citizens.

For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Marsha Little, Assistant Head of School: marsha.little@lovett.org or Angela Morris-Long, Director of Service Learning: angela.morris-long@lovett.org

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Siempre Verde In 1992, Lovett purchased several hundred acres of cloudforest in the Andes of Ecuador to create a protected preserve and support international conservation and education programs. Siempre Verde, which translates to “Forever Green,” offers U.S. and Ecuadoran students an opportunity to learn conservation methods through hands-on research and immersion in the cloudforest ecosystem.

The Robert and Constance Braddy Research Station, completed in 1996, accommodates up to 28 people comfortably. Hiking, nature watching, and student research activities are important components of the trip itineraries.

Lovett students can participate in a variety of experiences at Siempre Verde, which is available year-round for use by all schools, public and independent, as well as college and university groups.

Trip itineraries frequently include side trips to destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, the Yasuni rainforest research station, and the beaches of the Pacific Coast. Groups also participate in service projects in the nearby communities, making Siempre Verde one of Lovett’s longest-running service projects. For-credit summer courses in the school’s Cloudforest Classroom have included a variety of academic offerings, such as Tropical Ecology and Spanish Immersion courses. Students have the opportunity to utilize the resources and campus of Siempre Verde to coordinate internships and senior projects.

Program Highlights n The

Siempre Verde Reserve protects 830 acres of land, over 95 percent of which is primary cloudforest.

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year, Siempre Verde hosts over 100 international visitors.

In 2013, almost 200 Ecuadoran students visited Siempre Verde.

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Siempre Verde has been recognized as a Protected Forest by the Ministry of Environment in Ecuador since 1994.

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reserve is located almost exactly at the Equator (N: 0°22’), however, its average daytime temperature is only about 66°F due to its elevation (8,500 ft.).

There are almost five miles of hiking trails at Siempre Verde.

More than 150 species of orchids have been identified at Siempre Verde. By comparison, there are approximately 200 species in all of North America.

Siempre Verde is completely off the grid, using only solar, hydroelectric, firewood, and propane for energy. An on-site greenhouse and garden supplements group meals.

n Ongoing partnerships with the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Ecuadoran universities provide unique independent study and research opportunities for students who visit.

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Curriculum On Campus

In recent years, we have been intentional about expanding the academic offerings that focus on cultures beyond North America. The history department’s Asian, African, and Latin American Studies courses and the language department’s Chinese, Spanish, French, and Latin classes have been popular offerings for many years, and a growing number of students opt to continue their language study well beyond the threeyear graduation requirement. Students in English 10 read literature from around the world, and most senior English and history electives have a non-Western focus. Sophomores in Modern Global History are exposed to the underpinnings of Western Civilizations, but they also consider historical themes through a global lens. Global education is not limited to the humanities. For example, students in marine biology and environmental science spend considerable time learning how small changes can have significant effects—whether positive or negative— on ecosystems worldwide. Within these and other courses, students might also find the opportunity to virtually visit the countries about which they are studying through Skype sessions and shared videos.

Guest speakers with backgrounds or life experience outside the United States frequently share their lives and expertise with students.

Courses on Location

Even with technology at our fingertips, which allows us to interact with people and places around the world, there’s no substitute for seeing the real thing. In recent years, Lovett students have studied Israel’s history, culture, and religious traditions in Jerusalem. They’ve documented the people and places of central Mexico in a photography course.

And they’ve learned tropical ecology and studied Spanish on location at Siempre Verde in Ecuador. The list of Lovett for-credit courses on location varies from year to year.

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Global Online Academy

In 2013, The Lovett School joined Global Online Academy (GOA), offering our students and teachers the opportunity to learn alongside peers from around the world. Global Online Academy allows us to expand our curricular offerings while giving our students critical opportunities to learn in a global classroom, from first-rate teachers, through an online platform. There are currently more than 50 select independent schools in the consortium, representing 4 continents, 9 countries, 24 states, and 12 time zones.

For a list of consortium schools and classes offered through GOA, visit www.globalonlineacademy.org.

“My favorite part of my GOA course is the unanticipated access that I have to the students and to my teacher.

With different schedules, time-zones, and technological preferences, I was not expecting to be able to connect in a global environment so easily.�

Camille Ward ’15 Diploma Distinctions

Students with a particular interest in Global Studies, Service & Leadership, or Sustainability have the opportunity to pursue a diploma distinction (akin to a college major) in their area of interest. Over the course of five semesters beginning sophomore spring, they select their courses and activities intentionally to support the distinction; complete outside reading around a theme; document their work in a digital portfolio; and complete a senior capstone project or thesis. Those who successfully complete the entire process graduate with distinction in their area of study. These diploma distinctions are meant to provide a venue for students to build upon and/or demonstrate an area of interest as they personalize their Lovett Upper School experience.

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“I took a gap year because I want to be chal a multitude of cultures. My hope is that by takin of what I may want to do for my career as I am pushed outside of my comfort

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llenged, learn about myself, and experience ng a gap year I will have a better understanding r and discover more about my passions, zone on a daily basis.” Caroline Barry ’14

A Transformed Setting 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. A gap year before college is one of the few times in life a student can take a break to reflect and re-center. Students who take a year off frequently return more motivated in their academic work, and with a clearer sense of their extracurricular and academic goals.

A gap year can be extremely structured, such as a postgraduate year at a boarding school; structured but adventurous, such as circumnavigating the globe as a crew trainee on a sailboat; or unstructured—working, traveling, or serving. Ideally, students considering a gap year plan that experience in the fall and winter of senior year, at the same time as they are also applying to college.

Semester Schools

Consistent with Lovett’s desire to provide opportunities for students to experience the world beyond our own campus and Atlanta’s borders, several sophomores and juniors each year choose to spend a semester away at an approved semester school. Programs vary in scope and location, from a Washington, D.C., semester school that focuses on leadership and ethics, to a visual arts based school in Napa, Calif., to a year-abroad program focusing on language, history, and culture in France, Spain, Italy, or China. Students who are interested in attending a semester school must first consult with the Assistant Head of School.

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Exchanges and Homestays Short-Term Exchanges

Through two-way exchanges with schools around the world, Lovett students live in homestays for a period of 10 days to 5 weeks.

They attend school, go on vacation, and experience the daily rhythm of life with their host families. The Lovett students then extend the same hospitality, hosting their exchange partners for a combination of school and vacation time. Lovett freshmen and sophomores are invited to apply for summer exchanges to England, Turkey, South Africa, and Australia. Upperclassmen in advanced French classes may participate in the exchange to France and Luxembourg, which caps off a year of shared curriculum with the partner schools.

“The South African exchange really opened my eyes and pulled me out of my comfort zone.

It was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Patrick McGuire ’16

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World Leading Schools Association

In 2012, Lovett joined the World Leading Schools Association (WLSA), a hand-picked group of schools in the United States, England, South Africa, Australia, and China, with the goal of building EastWest relationships. In partnership with WLSA, Lovett welcomes a delegation of Chinese students and teachers for two weeks each February. They are hosted by Lovett families and spend their time in Atlanta on campus, visiting universities, seeing various tourist attractions, and experiencing American culture. WLSA also coordinates a West to East exchange, through which Lovett students can experience school and home life in several of China’s major cities.

International Students While it is not feasible to provide immersive international experiences for all of Lovett’s students, we can expose our students to other cultures by bringing international students to Lovett for an extended period of time. Welcoming international students into our community complements and augments our global curriculum and short-term travel and exchange programs. Lovett partners with New Oasis International Education to identify, enroll, and support a small number of fully matriculated international students each year. These students enroll at Lovett in the 9th or 10th grade and stay through graduation. All Lovett students benefit by learning alongside and from international students. Several families each year can have a more immersive experience by serving as a full-time or vacation host family.

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Travel Spring Break Service and Mission Trips

In order to foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultures, Lovett offers 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.

Students have traveled to destinations across the globe, including Peru, Dominican Republic, Romania, Guatemala, and India.

Projects have included construction of schools and community buildings, improvement of water and food sources, teaching, and community health.

Spring Break Culture Trip to Italy

The spring break trip to Italy 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 learn about the Renaissance through trips to the Vatican and various churches in Rome, Florence, and Siena.

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Spoleto (Italy) Summer Program

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. For many years, Lovett has been a Spoleto program member school.

Summer Programs

Many companies and organizations offer international travel programs that emphasize academics, service, immersion, and adventure.

Lovett hosts representatives from highly regarded programs during the school year, allowing students an opportunity to learn more about these trips and the range of experiences offered.

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Senior Projects and Internships Senior Projects

The purpose of The Lovett School’s senior project program is to

allow a senior to design and pursue an educational objective or opportunity that cannot be pursued during the normal school day or within the normal academic curriculum. Ideally, a senior project is a culmination of a student’s academic career, allowing that student to synthesize important lessons learned or to further develop a special talent or interest. These month-long projects offer a unique opportunity to explore issues of global significance.

Some past projects include: n

Exploring the impact that obstetric fistulas have on gender roles in Ethiopia.

n Promoting and selling a compilation of original and cover songs in order to help provide clean water in Africa. n Working in a rural school in Guatemala to explore the true value of international service workers.

“My senior project helped me grow in ways I could not imagine. Something changes when you leave a normal ‘American’ life and immerse yourself into a completely different culture.

My time in Guatemala influenced my career path, grew my love for service, and impacted my view of the world.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Gayle Jenks ’13 Internships

Internships are also a great way to have experiences with an international focus. In past years, students have interned in local consul offices, served as teachers and mentors for adult ESL classes, and worked as translators for local non-profit clinics.

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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 need-based 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 foreign language and foreign 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 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.

The Daniel J. Toohey ’99 Senior Project & Creativity Fellowship Grant Program helps senior students 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.

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The Lovett School 4075 Paces Ferry Road, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30327-3009 (404) 262-3032 www.lovett.org