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The Traveling School's Fall Semester to Southern Africa

The Traveling School
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The Traveling School
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About

Our fall semesters run from August 20 - December 5 in southern Africa. We travel through South Africa, exploring the diverse cultures and lasting effects of apartheid by talking with freedom fighters and community members, visiting Mandela’s birthplace, museums and monuments. We continue northward to the sand dunes of Namibia. River guides, diamond miners and local villagers educate us about the diamond industry – from discovery of ore to shining gems on a ring. Students observe African animals in National Parks, study their behaviors and visit desert and marine ecosystems. In Botswana, students are poled by Tswana guides on the Okavango Delta in traditional makoro canoes. Throughout the semester we camp under the stars, along rivers and on huge boulders in the desert. We rock climb, listen to African drums in ancient villages, help with service projects, learn to surf and tandem kayak on the Orange River.

Highlights
  • Experiential Academics
  • Global Engagement
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Leadership Development

Questions & Answers

Reviews

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based on 4 reviews
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Showing 1 - 4 of 4
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Margo
Age:
26
Female
San Francisco, California
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Your life will never be the same, in the best way possible!

Oct 6, 2014

Making the decision to go abroad with the Traveling School was the best one I ever made, and has shaped my life every step of the way since. I loved it so much I even went on a second semester! The SW Africa semester is truly incredible, with breathtaking scenery at every turn, wild animals to see on every travel day, and some incredible outdoor adventures. Spend a semester traveling in an overland safari truck, camping with a full view of the beautiful starry sky, and learning greetings in languages from Tonga, to German, to Xhosa (a clicking language!). We got to learn about the impacts of apartheid in South Africa, visit the town where Nelson Mandela grew up, and spend a week in the bustling city of Cape Town. We learned to surf in the well-renowned Jeffery's Bay, rock climb in Waterval Boven, and hike Dune 45 in the Namib desert to watch the sunrise. This doesn't even touch on all of the amazing things were able to do and see during our time in Southern Africa, because every day there was a new adventure and unparalleled opportunities for academic exploration.

What would you improve about this program?
I genuinely cannot think of anything I would change about this program. Amazing places, people, activities and academics. I just wish I could go again!
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Allegra
Age:
26
Female
Bellingham, Washington
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Just Apply Already!

Sep 27, 2013

I've done a lot of semester programs, and TTS is definitely top notch. The experience is unlike anything you will ever have in a normal high school, or on another semester program. I learned a lot about my academic subjects, and myself, during my time in South Western Africa. TTS does a fantastic job of making connections with different people and organizations in the countries that we traveled in, so you are always busy! In addition the food on this semester is great because you have your own chef, Crispen, to cook for you (you have to do some prep work with him though!). This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and while it is difficult to leave home, I promise it will be worth it in the end. Going on a semester with the Traveling School was hands down the best decision i've ever made.

What would you improve about this program?
While traveling with all girls can be very empowering, it also is a little tough sometimes. But I think this also has to do with the girls who attend each semester, it's a little bit of 'luck of the draw'.
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Charlotte
Age:
26
Female
Oakland, CA
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

The best experience ever.

Sep 26, 2013

The only negative thing about The Traveling School is that no program I do can ever live up to this.
When you are in high school you are learning - but also shaping your values, your beliefs, and your relationships to those around you and yourself. Traveling with a group of girls and your teachers allows you to focus on the basics...
I hated sitting in a classroom staring at the walls while teachers pointed to text book facts. The Traveling School allowed me to learn about history while walking through a museum: writing about a particular exhibit, researching through talking with experts as well as locals in the area. (Interdisciplinary study does not get any more real than this).
Typical day? In the mornings you wake up (usually in a tent) and then do a PE class. Then breakfast, and class- which might be counting animals in a wildlife park to later write a report on.. Lunch, traveling to the next spot, rock climbing, math class, homework time, dinner prep, and setting up the tent again... As I think about it, I realize there are no typical days in this program, each one is different and can not really be described... If you have the slightest inkling for full days with studies that last and friendships that cannot be surpassed, I suggest this program.

What would you improve about this program?
The girls who sign up for this program are the girls you are with. Sometimes you have to adapt to strong personalities, it is worth it.
Default avatar
Jessie
Age:
21
Female
Tulsa Oklahoma
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An incredible journey

Sep 20, 2013

Our days in Africa varied immensely, though each was incredible. Though it sounds cheesy, I can honestly say that the semester to South-Weet Africa changed my life. The people I met, both the girls and teachers on the trip, the guides and the people in the different towns were all unique and very welcoming. When I came home, I was a better human, with more direction in my life than when I had left. Though there were no "average" days, a somewhat normal routine was to have class in the morning and go site seeing or to a historical site in the afternoon. Some days we would have full class days, others no class at all. Each day was varied, each a new experience

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly I can't think of one thing to change. No I'm not being paid to write this, but it was the best experience I would have asked for. The only thing that ever was a struggle for me was homesickness. And with that, it had nothing to do with the program it was all personal.
Read my full story

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Allegra La Ferr

Program
The Traveling School's Fall Semester to Southern Africa
Allegra attended The Traveling School in her junior year of high school. She is now a junior at Western Washington University studying Environmental Science. She has continued her love for travel and the continent of Africa, where she recently returned to South Africa to study great white sharks. She still stays in touch with her Traveling School classmates and teachers, and attends many alumni events.
Interview with Allegra, high school abroad participant with The Traveling School

Why did you decide to study abroad with The Traveling School in Southwest Africa?

Initially I was skeptical of leaving all my friends and my hometown, but eventually the desire for something new and different won out. The Traveling School seemed like a good balance of school and an amazing adventure. The Traveling School enabled me to gain high school credit, while experiencing the culture of Southern Africa, what else could a girl hope for?!

What made this high school abroad experience unique and special?

This isn't a typical study abroad program with a campus and dorms. Class could be on picnic tables in the campground or beneath the shade of a tree at the end of a hike. In addition, you live with your teachers and fellow classmates. You travel in a big blue truck, which becomes like your home, with 12-16 girls across Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. In what other program can you be studying Geology along the banks of the Orange River in the morning, and then have a lecture from a local guide about living through Apartheid in the evening? Or waking up in Kruger to study ecology and then having a language lesson with a native Africaans speaker?

What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering studying abroad in high school?

While I think traveling abroad in high school is much more difficult than traveling abroad in college, you stand to gain so much more by traveling in high school. Being exposed to a different culture so early in your academic career changes how you view the world. Yes, leaving high school is scary and difficult. But trust me when I say that the experiences you gain will far surpass any amount of homesickness you will feel during the program.

How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, etc.).

The Traveling School has impacted me in many ways. First, I become much more comfortable with the idea of traveling thanks to The Traveling School. Since my semester I have traveled by myself and with friends to many corners of the globe. Second, it helped me become impassioned about my studies. Before The Traveling School, I didn't really apply myself in school, but being in such a stimulating and challenging environment made me want to achieve better grades than before. And lastly, I found that I was much more independent and sure of myself after the semester. After I conquered backpacking trips, homesickness, and being challenged mentally for 3 1/2 months, how could I not be?

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Aunge Thomas

Program
The Traveling School's Fall Semester to Southern Africa
Andrea "Aunge" Thomas grew up loving the outdoors in Idaho. Her passion for the skiing, hiking and the rivers led her to Bozeman, MT to study Civil Engineering. After graduating from Montana State University in 2004, Aunge traveled internationally, taught skiing and guided on local rivers for three years. During these adventures, she discovered her interest in experiential education. She apprenticed at High Mountain Institute for a semester before starting with The Traveling School. Aunge is now the Dean of Students for The Traveling School and works to share the power of international education with teenagers. Aunge believes education is a continual process and students will thrive when they push forward to learn through new opportunities while gaining a better sense of the world.
Andrea "Aunge" Thomas, Dean of Students for The Traveling School

What position do you hold at The Traveling School? What has been your career path so far?

I am currently the Dean of Students for The Traveling School. In this position, I oversee the programs while they are in session, develop curriculum and maintain relations with current and past families. I love the variety of my job and knowing that every day will be different.

I started teaching with TTS in Spring of 2010 on a South America semester and taught three additional semesters in Africa. For two Africa semesters, I also worked as the Logistical Program Director, balancing my teaching responsibilities with the logistical needs of the trip. I was the Academic Program Director on my final semester which involved overseeing the academic portion of the program. When I wasn’t away with a program, I worked in the office as the Head of the Math Department developing our three curriculums. The variety of roles within the school helped me move forward with the school and begin my new position as the Dean of Students.

Did you study abroad in high school?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

I waited until college to study abroad. I became fascinated with the idea of traveling to learn in high school, but decided to wait until college to do an exchange program. I was inspired to study abroad by pictures, stories and overall excitement from those who returned. Even as a college exchange student I learned and embraced a new sense of adventure and sense of self. Living abroad in one spot for an extended amount of time provided me a nuanced and lasting impression on the international community.

What does the future hold for The Traveling School - any exciting new programs to share?

The Traveling School continually tweaks our programs to embrace new opportunities. Although we don’t foresee changing our main itineraries in the next year, we may make slight alterations to visit new locations slightly off our path to study new parts of the South American rainforests or work with NGO’s focused on intertwining soccer and education in Africa. Based on our continual evolution as experiential educators each program is slightly different, which makes it unique and inspiring.

What about the future of the high school abroad industry? How do you think international education will change over the next 10 years?

I believe international education opportunities will continue to grow and diversify in the next 10 years. As parents discover the positive impact of study abroad programs, they are more likely to encourage their teenagers to participate. Likewise, teenagers are curious to see the world and they are discovering opportunities to delve into new opportunities. As students become more aware of the global community and how it impacts their lives at home, they find inspiration to create new educational paths. The study abroad industry is responsive to this curiosity and should expand to meet the needs of a more diversified clientele. I also believe more people are recognizing the power of experiential eduction and are willing to take the risk to share this type of education with students to create more opportunities for academics outside of the typical classroom.

About The Traveling School

The Traveling School offers teenage girls ages 15-18 the opportunity to explore the world and learn about themselves through academic, physical, and cultural challenges. Sixteen motivated young women and four inspiring teachers travel to a unique region of the globe for 15 weeks. Students earn full credit, immerse in new cultures, develop outdoor...