Students to Resume Global Travel: Groton GEOs (Global Education Opportunities) Are Back

Groton celebrated Global Education Day on November 7 with an assembly that welcomed back Global Education Opportunities (GEOs) after a three-year pandemic hiatus.

 

During a morning presentation in the Campbell Performing Arts Center (CPAC), faculty members introduced the global GEOs they will lead this year—to India, Indonesia, Japan, and Peru. 

 

Theater and Dance Department Head Laurie Sales brought the colors of Bali to the CPAC, explaining that the GEO to Indonesia over spring vacation will immerse students in nature, spiritualism, and the arts. Students will attend the festive celebration of Nyepi; spend time at Green School Bali, which focuses on social entrepreneurship and sustainability; study the Indonesian language; hike Mount Batur; and study traditional Indonesian art forms, such as mask-carving and Balinese dance. Ms. Sales, who has lived in Indonesia, will lead the trip with science teacher Paula Marks and technical director Brandt Belknap.

 

Next, history teacher Tommy Lamont turned attention to the spring GEO in India, explaining that the country is the world’s largest democracy and fifth largest economy. The India GEO will include travel to Delhi and various historic sites as well as several days at the Doon (for boys) and Welham (for girls) schools in Dehradun. The trip also will include a hike in the Himalayas, introduction to the clothing of India, and food, food, food. Ms. Lamont, who spent five months of a Groton sabbatical year in India, will co-lead the trip with World Languages teacher Rebecca Stanton and science teacher Claire Hawkins.

 

The globe then took a spin to South America for a presentation about one of Groton’s longest running GEOs, to Peru. Spanish teachers and native Peruvians Fanny Vera de Viacava and Luis Viacava will once again lead the GEO. The language and cultural immersion takes students to the Sacred Valley of Peru, where they stay with families in Ollantaytambo, which is considered the last living Incan town. Afternoon activities include teaching young children artwork, music, dance, and sports. Those on the Peruvian GEO, which spans several weeks during the summer, also visit Machu Picchu, the Incan capital of Cusco.

 

Finally students imagined themselves in Japan, as Music Department Head Mary Ann Lanier and Jazz Ensemble Director (and Japanese native) Kenji Kikuchi described Groton’s summer music GEO, which begins in Tokyo’s diverse jazz scene and includes visits to Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and Miyajima Island. Students will attend performances and perform themselves on this cultural immersion through music.

The Global Education Day presentation ended with a performance by Soul Sauce, Groton’s jazz ensemble. 

"I am delighted that we can travel on international GEOs again," said Dean of Globalism and Experiential Learning Nishad Das. "Our GEO leaders did such a terrific job bringing to life the GEO destinations that within a few days of this event students had signed up in large numbers to participate in our GEOs."

Groton's GEOs are accessible to all students, and generous financial aid is provided.