The North Cross School foreign travel program is offered to students and teachers in order to enhance their understanding of different languages and cultures, and become more globally aware. The School offers a variety of travel opportunities which include language study, community service, environmental programs, and cultural tours. While this is a North Cross School program, teachers and high school students from across the region are invited to participate. 
 
History

North Cross School faculty have been leading tours abroad for several years. Destinations have included Spain, France, El Salvador, Peru, Italy, Greece, and Mexico. Cultural tours to these destinations have been happening for years. In recent years there has been a shift to a greater focus on language acquisition, service, and research. In March of 2007, a group of eighth grade Spanish students spent 10 days in southern Spain visiting historic cites they had researched for an entire year. In 2008, another group traveled to El Salvador to spend spring break working with community development programs. This trip has since become a very popular annual event. In June of 2008, Spanish students traveled to Ronda, Spain for two weeks of language study, cultural classes, and family home-stay. 2009 saw the inclusion of exchange programs in which students from Paris and Córdoba, Spain were hosted by North Cross School families. The host students then returned the visit to France and Spain in March of '10. 2009 also saw the AP French class spend their Thanksgiving break in Paris. The summer of 2010 featured a two week trip to the Amazon regions of Peru for environmental research, and a visit to the Incan ruins at Machu Pichu. The trip was led by Dr. Bruce Rinker, chair of the Science Department

Staff

Several faculty members have been involved in the planning and direction of these trips. They include Dr. Sarah du Plessis, chair of the Foreign Language Department, Dr. Bruce Rinker, chair of the Science Department, Headmaster Timothy J. Seeley, and Spanish teacher Malcolm Douglas. Several faculty members have joined htese trips as chaperones.

Upcoming Foreign Travel Opportunities

During the 2010-11 school year, North Cross School students are eligible to participate in any of the foreign travel opportunities listed below. For more information, please contact Malcolm Douglas at mdouglas@northcross.org or 540-989-6641. 

STUDENT EXCHANGE      Spring 2011

Working with the school’s travel associates at Prométour, secondary schools in France and Spain  partner with North Cross School. The two exchanges are independent of each other. The guests in 2011 will hosted by NCS families on a one-to one basis, attend some classes with NCS students, and travel to local and regional sites of interest. During spring break of 2011 NCS students will return the visit, live with exchange students’ families, attend some classes with them, and take excursions to local and regional points of interest.

The partner school in Spain is Colegio Santísima Trinidad, located in Córdoba, in Andalucía in southern Spain. The itinerary, fees, and payment deadlines are available in Spanish classes, or upon request from Señor Douglas at mdouglas@northcross.org. The fees are based on group size.

The French exchange will be offered on alternating years. The next one wil lbe in 2011-12.

There are several advantages to the exchange programs: (1) This is an excellent opportunity to practice Spanish or French in a school and family setting. Students will use their elected language much more than would be the case in a general tour. (2) NCS students will experience family life and get well acquainted with one community. Relationships with students and families can be made that could last a lifetime. It will be a much richer cultural experience. (3) The price for the exchange is considerably less than that of the general tour.


COMMUNITY SERVICE IN EL SALVADOR    Spring Break 2011

This will be the fourth trip following ’08, ’09, and '10. A small group of faculty and students will travel again to El Salvador to the village of San José Villanueva where they will work on housing and other community development projects. Timothy J. Seeley has led this trip and wants it to continue to be an annual event. The price in 2010 was $1,500 which included travel, food, and communal lodging. The 2011 cost will be available later this fall. There will be fund raising efforts conducted here in support of the work in El Salvador.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about underdeveloped cultures, and far less privileged people, and to realize what good a small group of volunteers can accomplish. The group spends quality time processing and evaluating their experience. Interested students should contact Mr. Seeley at tseeley@northcross.org.

THE PERUVIAN EXPERIENCE

There are no immediate plans for a repeat trip. Interested stdents and parents should contact Dr. Bruce Rinker at brinker@northcross.org.