Global Education Day introduces new opportunities for 2024

Groton celebrated Global Education Day on November 2 with an assembly in the Campbell Performing Arts Center (CPAC), where faculty members introduced Global Education Opportunities (GEOs) to France, Scotland, Italy, and Peru, as well as an orchestra GEO to five European countries.

 

French teacher Rebecca Stanton spoke about the France GEO, where they will spend twelve days exploring the cities of Paris and Angers. Starting in Paris, students will visit some of the most esteemed sights, such as the Eiffel Tower. Following their stop in Paris, students will stay with host families in Angers, where they will attend classes in the mornings and explore historical sites in the afternoons. Madame Stanton will co-lead this GEO with French teacher Franck Koffi. 

 

Next, Theater and Dance Department Head Laurie Sales introduced the GEO to Scotland. Students will be immersed in arts and culture in Edinburgh as they take part in the annual American High School Theatre Festival. This festival is a part of the world’s largest performing arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. During this GEO, students will perform an original theater piece for an international audience. The University of Edinburgh will provide lodging, where students will meet other students from across the country and Canada. Other experiences include a chance to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a visit to St. Andrews. Ms. Sales will lead this GEO with Director of Community Engagement Lizzie Phan and Technical Director Brandt Belknap. 

 

Italy is another opportunity hosted by Assistant Director of Globalism & Experiential Learning Mary Frances Bannard. This GEO serves as an immersive experience in the classics, including visiting the ancient sites in Rome, including the Colosseum, Forum, Campus Martius, and St. Peter’s Basilica, all while reading and speaking in Latin. Also, students will travel to other parts of Italy, including the Bay of Naples, to visit the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. As they wrap up their experiences, they will get the chance to see the Domus Aurea and walk along the Appian Way. Ms. Bannard will co-host this GEO with classics teacher Preston Bannard.

 

Returning is the Peru GEO hosted by Spanish teachers, Fanny Vera de Viacava and Luis Viacava. This excursion takes place in the Sacred Valley of Peru, where students will be hosted by families in the town of Ollantaytambo, which is known as being the last living Incan town. This experience focuses on building one’s Spanish skills through immersion within the local communities. Some activities include visiting Machu Picchu, ceramic making, and chocolate making. 

 

To conclude, the audience was treated to a performance by student musicians who played a sampling of the music that would be offered on the Europe GEO. This GEO, hosted by the Director of Instrumental Music Mary Ann Lanier, will take students from the Chamber Orchestra and Select Chamber Ensembles to Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. Here, students will be immersed in the world of music through performances, cultural exchanges, and masterclasses. Along with Ms. Lanier, Chamber Orchestra Conductor Timothy Terranella will be co-hosting this experience. 

 

Groton's GEOs are accessible to all students, and generous financial aid is provided.