Experiential Learning & Travel Opportunities
Each year, VES offers opportunities for students to participate in faculty-led cultural immersion programs over Spring Break and during the summer. Recently, students have traveled to Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, China, England, Ireland, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Guatemala and
Guadeloupe.
In addition, VES students who want to deepen their passion and understanding in the arts may take their talents overseas to Spoleto, Italy, and participate in the Spoleto Study Abroad Program, a three-week intensive program offering classes in visual art, photography, vocal music, drama, instrumental music and filmmaking. Our students have the opportunity to participate in this program as VES is one of only 11 schools in the Spoleto Consortium.These experiences help students to step outside their comfort zones and transform their lives. Students acquire depth unmatched by other travel experiences—they assemble new perspectives and become aware of their own identity as it relates to the larger world; build confidence; connect with people who are different while they discover their shared humanity; and return with a renewed sense of curiosity, inspiration and motivation.
Programs offer most, if not all, of these elements:
- Global service learning
- Language and cultural immersion
- Academic and cultural study
- Environmental stewardship
- Skill building, team building and leadership skills
- Community-Based Learning (CBL) or Going Global in our own community (GLOCAL)