Tag Archive : Travel Abroad

/ Travel Abroad

The 2010-11 school year is really just getting started, yet we’re excited to formally announce several opportunities for Gatton Academy students to travel and study abroad in 2011.

These experiences mark the fourth consecutive series travel/study program facilitated by the Gatton Academy during Winter Term . Students traveled to Greece in 2010, Spain and Portugal in 2009, and Italy in 2008. Even more exciting, we are proud to share the Academy will facilitate a total of three international experiences in the coming year.

Milan
Milan

The Mediterranean Experience

From January 4-11, 2011, up to thirty Gatton Academy students will explore the cities, culture, and history of some of Europe’s most famous countries. Sites visited will include Milan, Turin, Manoco, Nice, Cannes, Avignon, Montpellier, Carcassonne, and Barcelona.

The cost for this year’s trip will be $2,150. (The overall program cost is $3,350 with the Academy supplementing $1,200 of the total cost.) This includes roundtrip airfare from Nashville or Louisville, hotel accommodations in all destinations, breakfast and dinner while in Europe, admission to most historic sites and museums listed on the itinerary, and travel by chartered motor coach for excursions.

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure.

Students must submit the completed application and a $500 deposit no later than Monday, October 11. Space is limited to 30 students. Should there be an excess of interest, priority will be given to seniors first and names randomly drawn thereafter.

The Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
The Cloudbridge Nature Reserve

The Costa Rica Research Experience

From January 4-19, 2011, up to sixteen Gatton Academy students will explore the cities, culture, and history of some of Europe’s most famous countries. Sites visited will include San Jose, the San Geraro de Rivas mountain region, research in Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, a night in the jungle,Parque Marino Ballena swamp ecosystem exploration, Islla de Cano for snorkeling, the volcano at Volcan Arena.

The cost for the trip will be $775. (The overall program cost is $1975 with the Academy supplementing $1,200 of the total cost.) This includes roundtrip airfare from Nashville, accommodations in all destinations, two daily meals, admission and fees for all items listed on the itinerary, travel by chartered motor coach for excursions, and tuition for Biology 485 — Academy Field Studies in Costa Rica (3 hrs.).

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure.

The application deadline is September 17, 2010. Interviews may be required should student interest exceed capacity. A $500 nonrefundable deposit is due no later than Monday, October 11.

Harlaxton College
Harlaxton College

The Harlaxton Experience

From July 24 – August 15, 2011, Gatton Academy Class of 2012 students will explore the literature and culture of the United Kingdom while developing an appreciation for all literary practices, theory, and concepts. Students will be based at Harlaxton College and will visit locations throughout the United Kingdom. Additional Sites visited will include Whitby for a ghost walk “In Search of Dracula,Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge, the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, York, the Lake District, and London.

The cost for the trip will be $3700. (Should students participate in an unfunded Winter Term learning opportunity, up to $1200 may be applied to the cost of the program.) This includes roundtrip airfare from the United States, accommodations in all destinations, most meals, admission and fees for all items listed on the itinerary, travel by chartered motor coach for excursions, and tuition for English 200 — Honors Introduction to Literature (3 hrs.).

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure.

Students must submit the completed application and a $700 deposit no later than Monday, October 11.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The Academy will provide a limited number of scholarships to students who require financial assistance. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship must submit the following items no later than Monday, September 27: a copy of their parents’ 2010 tax return, a parental statement of need, and a student statement describing his or her reasons for wanting to travel abroad as well as the impact of their overall Gatton Academy experience. Student selection will occur on or before Monday, October 11. Students receiving the scholarship will be required to perform community service in consultation with a staff member.

Please direct any additional questions to Tim Gott or Derick Strode.

[Greece 10] Video Blog: Becca and Zac Wrap Up the Trip With a Little Shopping from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

With only hours remaining in the trip, we check in with a pair of Academy students about the stores they’ve shopped at and items bought along the way. Some have been great, where others were what the kids refer to as “sketch”.

[Greece10] Video Blog: Sean, Natalie & Rohith Talk About Food, Glorious Food in Greece from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

One of the strongest ways in which we establish a connection to a particular culture is through its food. Over the last week-and-a-half, the group has had the opportunity to sample a variety of traditional Greek dishes. In today’s videoblog, students discuss their favorites dishes and what they’re looking forward to eating when they get back to Kentucky.

[Greece10] Video Blog: Linda and Jake are in the Dark in Mycenae from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

Our visits today continued in the area around Argolis. We visited a couple of archeological sites in the area around Mycenae, including the Lion Gate, the Cyclopedean Walls, the Palace, and tomb of Agamemnon. Students also braved the dark and walked to the bottom of the ancient sistern, where we took a moment to blog. Did I mention it was in the dark?

[Greece10] Video Blog: Traditional Greek Folk Dancing from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

Kostas, a high school dance and gymnastics teacher in Olympia, described the traditional attire of a female Greek folk dancer to the group in addition to teaching them six different dances. It’s always fun to see the students get a bit out of their comfort zone. As the video demonstrates, they finally got to say “Ooohpa!” I’m told several of them have been waiting days to say it.

[Greece10] Video Blog: The Guys Hike in the Mountains High Above Delphi from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

An afternoon spent in the Ancient city of Delphi provides numerous choices for leisure. You can always visit the shops and cafes within the town proper. Those students with a slightly more adventurous streak decided to hike with Tim in the mountain above the town. Slightly winded, though no worse for wear, they share their experience at the summit.