Programs and Events
International Programs at Blake
In the last few years student interest in abroad experiences has mushroomed. As more and more students look beyond the four walls of The Blake School, we strive to accommodate these interests. The School’s commitment to off-campus study is demonstrated by our willingness to forgo tuition payments while a student is attending a semester away or year-long program.
The Blake School mission statement includes the following: “Students are expected to participate in an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities in preparation for college, lifelong learning, community service and lives as responsible world citizens.” International programming at Blake fosters life-long learning (and exploring), service learning (abroad), and responsible world citizenship. In order to be fully prepared to operate effectively on the world stage, we at Blake understand that cultural competency and a broad worldview will be essential. The best thing we can do for our students is to recognize the shrinking world, and provide them with the tools and experience they need to navigate it successfully.
In addition to studying away from Blake, there are other opportunities for Blake students to consider. We offer a number of faculty-led international trips each year. These trips may include community service, cultural exploration/immersion, and/or language acquisition. In the past years, we have had multiple student groups engage in summer intensive study in Cuernavaca Mexico and Montpellier, France. We have sponsored service trips to Kenya, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Two student groups have traveled to London be immerse themselves in the London theatre culture, and twelve determined students experienced a lengthy but rewarding Argentina Bike Trip. We believe our students come back from these experiences more aware and knowledgeable of the larger world around them.
If students are not interested or are unable to participate in Blake sponsored trips abroad, there remain many opportunities for individual students to design a trip all their own. There exist many programs that offer scholarships or financial assistance to which students may apply to take part in summer study or service learning abroad -- every summer many Blake students travel to Europe, Africa, Asia, or South America to volunteer or study.
More information on current Blake international trips, study-away programs, summer travel opportunities, and financial assistance may be obtained from the Director of International Programs and Off-Campus Study, Dion Crushshon, dcrushshon@blakeschool.org.