With travel being an important element of education embedded into the Beaver curriculum, we are excited to delve deeper and explore even further with our students. We have set a goal and a long-term vision to integrate more travel into our academic courses and include the costs of these experiences within Beaver’s tuition. To pilot this model, the 2023-24 school year’s travel experiences to France and Savannah, Ga., are generously being supported by donors to our newly created Global Mindset Fund. We hope to grow this initiative in the next three years so it can become deeply integrated into the entire curriculum; travel will be something all students in all disciplines can access.
Why curricular-based travel?
Giving students a global mindset is a priority for us; it’s crucial for developing deeper learning.
At Beaver, we focus on real (not realistic) learning. Our students learn to be critical thinkers and they approach problems and possible solutions with empathy and awareness as well as an understanding of political, social, cultural, and economic issues.
Our transdisciplinary approach fosters a deep dive in the classroom, partnerships with institutions and experts, and local and global travel opportunities to allow our students to transfer their knowledge into hands-on, authentic experiences. They don’t just explore the world, they can read it, too.
— Kader Adjout, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation
Our teachers are committed to partnering with outside experts and organizations to create opportunities for immersive experiences. This can take place in a variety of locations: from Beaver’s campus and Boston, throughout the US, or places around the globe.
Where we’ve been
During the 2022-23 school year, students traveled to Havana, Cuba, and Tulsa, OK, with Beaver faculty. Upon their return, they shared how impactful the experiences were to their understanding of the subject matter and how the immersion inspired new questions and ideas they might want to investigate further.
TULSA, OK
Beaver students and the Hiatt Center joined student leaders from over a dozen states for the We Have a Dream Action Institute & Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This event was designed to promote mutual understanding, work to dismantle injustice, and combat racism and extremism through experiences, activities, workshops, guest speakers, and discussions.
“Attending the We Have a Dream Institute in Tulsa was the first step to help students interested in civic engagement, diversity, inclusion, and justice deepen their knowledge about the role hate and violence have had throughout history, and understand the civic responsibility to ensure we do our part to dismantle injustice and hate of any kind at Beaver and beyond.” Read more.
HAVANA CUBA
Beaver’s Select Singers Honor Chorus and the Cuban Jazz Ensemble traveled to Havana, Cuba this spring as part of a musical exchange with Escuela Nacional de Arte. Beaver has been participating in the bi-annual exchange since 2015, but this year’s trip marked a long-awaited return to Cuba after four years of travel restrictions. Needless to say, the group of 23 musicians who embarked on the trip were eager to make the most of the experience. Read more.
Where we’re going
As we mentioned above, this year, we’re excited to go to Les Herbiers, France, and Savannah, Ga. Click here to learn more about the French trip and stay tuned for more about Savannah.
If you are interested in learning more about our Global Mindset initiative, contact Erica DeRosa, Director of Philanthropy + Engagement.