Global Travel

One passport, many paths.

Immersion. Partnership. Active Engagement. Research.

At SCH Academy, we believe international travel is a catalyst for profound personal growth. Our Global Travel Program challenges students to step beyond their comfort zones, fostering independence, empathy, and cultural fluency. By stepping away from the familiar, students gain a dual perspective: a deeper appreciation for global diversity and a clearer understanding of their own home culture.

"I had so much fun exploring Iceland alongside my peers and teachers! Highlights from the trip included seeing Icelandic mini horses, walking through a lava tube, and hiking a glacier. I loved spending time with my friends while swimming in the hot springs or even during late-night card games at our hostels. From visiting the shops in downtown Reykjavik to celebrating New Year's Eve with fireworks in Vik, I was able to make so many memories."

Upper School Student

 

Our program offers a "traveler, not tourist" experience rooted in long-standing global partnerships and academic rigor.

Aligned with the Asia Society’s domains of global competency, SCH’s trips emphasize experiential learning and meaningful engagement with host communities.

From language immersion to regional history, every itinerary is designed to enrich our curriculum.

We aim to prepare Upper School students to investigate the world, communicate ideas, recognize diverse perspectives, and take action as informed, courageous global citizens who go on to effect positive change in the local community and beyond.

From Cuba to Senegal, SCH students have explored the world over the years, bringing unique perspectives back to the classroom.

“Travel overseas is transformational. We become better humans by examining ourselves while we’re engaging in cultures seemingly unlike our own. We realize we are more similar than we are different, and we are all better when we engage with others across even local, domestic, and national borders."

Kristin Shipler, Global Travel Coordinator, Upper School Spanish Teacher

Meet Kristin Shipler, Global Travel Coordinator

Kristin has administered educational programs and taught Spanish in Philadelphia for almost 20 years. At The Shipley School, as the PK-12 modern language department chair and later the Global Programs coordinator, she collaborated with the administration, faculty, and students to oversee Global Education on campus and the exchange and overseas programs in multiple countries. While living in the Dominican Republic, she became the Peace Corps Training Director, managing the social-emotional well-being, safety, cross-cultural, and language learning programs for over 50 volunteers in six sectors (programs). In Washington, D.C., she served as a Country Desk Officer for the Peace Corps, serving as the primary liaison for families and overseas staff across 12 countries.  She managed emergency action plans, sent Volunteers overseas, developed programs, and supported family concerns while on the Desk. In her personal life, Kristin most treasures spending significant time in local communities overseas with her husband and two sons (SCH '27 and '30.)