International Travel Programs

Newton-Beijing Jingshan School Exchange Program (Beijing, China)

Language & culture-focused homestay, and the first US-China secondary school exchange program of the country. Newton students host Chinese students for four months in the fall, then live with host families and attend school abroad for four months in the spring. Applicants do not have to have previously studied Chinese, but must do so in the fall before they travel. Candidates apply to this district-wide program in the spring of the year prior to travel.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of Chinese student visit to Newton: Sept.-Jan.
• Dates of travel to China: Jan.-May

French Exchange (Paris, France)

Language & culture-focused homestay. Newton students live with host families and attend school abroad for two weeks and also host French students for two weeks. Applicants must be enrolled in French. Applications become available either in the fall preceding the trip through the World Language Department.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel to France: 2 weeks at the end of June
• French student visit: 2 weeks in February or April

Spanish Language Exchange (San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina)

Language & culture focused homestay. Newton students live with host families and attend school abroad for two weeks and also host Argentinian students for two weeks. Applicants must be enrolled in Spanish. Applications become available in the fall or spring preceding the trip through the World Language Department.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel to Argentina: 2 weeks including April break or 2 weeks in June after the end of school
• Argentinian student visit: 2 weeks in October

Latin Crossroads of History Trip (Rome, Italy)

Exploratory travel program with hotel stays focused on the significance of Latin through history. Students explore cultural sites relevant to the art, architecture, history, and literature of the ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque worlds. Applicants must be enrolled in Latin. Applications become available in the fall through the World Language Department.

• Frequency: Biannual
• Dates of travel to Italy: 1 week including February break

Prague Summer (Krakow, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Dresden & Berlin, Germany)

History-focused enrichment program with hotel stays. Students earn credits for their work through the Newton summer school, take on-site history lessons from Newton teachers, and explore historical sites relevant to medieval times, World War II, and more. Applicants must have a strong interest in history. Applications become available in the fall through the History Department at Newton North.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel: 2.5 weeks directly after classes end in June

Prague Spring (Prague, Czech Republic; Dresden & Berlin, Germany)

Prague Spring is a South tradition that has challenged and shaped the worldviews of hundreds of students through the decades. Student attendees see history through the eyes of the oppressed in the city squares and town centers of historic events, grappling with their questions and insights with fellow students and trip leaders as they walk across these iconic cities. Applicants must have a strong interest in history. Applications become available in the fall through the History Department at Newton South.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel: 10 days including April break

Close Up (Washington, D.C.)

American civics-focused enrichment program with flight and hotel stay. Students room with students from around the country, explore cultural sites in the nation’s capital, learn about the workings of the US government, debate current issues, meet with our members of Congress, and learn how to be informed, active, involved US citizens. Applicants should have a strong interest in US government and politics. Registration for the trip starts in the late spring through the History Department.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel: 1 week in early March

Galapagos Trip

This ten-day expedition to the Galápagos Islands offers students from Marine Biology and Environmental Science classes a unique opportunity to explore one of the most ecologically significant locations on Earth. The Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin's studies on evolution, are home to diverse and endemic species, unique geological formations, and critical marine ecosystems. Through a combination of service, exposure to conservation initiatives, and cultural experiences, students will deepen their understanding of ecological sustainability, marine biodiversity, and the human impact on fragile island ecosystems.

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel: Late February to Early March

Portugal UNESCO Trip (Lisbon, Portugal & environs)

Cultural program with hotel stays centered around the 3-day International Meeting of Young Scientists of the UNESCO Associated Schools. Students present projects at the UNESCO Meeting and tour historical sites and landmarks in and around Lisbon, Portugal. Applicants must have a strong interest in the conference topic for that year. Applications become available in the spring prior to travel from Ms. Pavao . A detailed program overview can be found here: https://pavaos.wixsite.com/nshsunesco

• Frequency: Annual
• Dates of travel: 1 week in January

Periodically, the Global Communities program offers senior capstone travel experiences. Destinations are chosen collaboratively by students and teachers and have included Sweden, Cuba, Morocco, and more. Students perform research while abroad for their particular senior capstone project. Trips are sometimes opened to students not enrolled in Global Communities. The program also occasionally offers trips specifically for sophomores and juniors, depending on student interest.