Immersive Experiences
What is an Immersive Experience?
Global Scholars explore the world through culturally immersive experiences of discovery — about ourselves and the world around us. We believe that an immersive experience means being completely surrounded with the newness of an unfamiliar place, whether close to home or abroad. The immersive traveler comes in contact with unfamiliar sights, sounds, sensations, flavors, and challenges that are unlike anything they’ve known before. The benefits to expanding our understanding of the world and experiencing new things are endless!
The main goals of immersive experience for AHS Global Scholars are for students to develop empathy for our global counterparts through unique encounters by meeting new people, practicing new languages and customs, challenging ourselves outside of our comfort zones and by embracing differences.
Is travelling abroad required?
While travel is always encouraged, the immersive experience requirement does not obligate students to do travel outside of the country. For some Global Pathways students, the immersive experience can take the shape of spending a specified amount of time in a culturally-rich neighboring community. For others, who may have moved to Andover from other states or countries, the immersive experience might be the time spent as a student at Andover High School, whose community identity differs from that of home.
Students who are considering an Immersive Experience that does not include travel should speak to the faculty advisory team ahead of time.
Recent Global Service Learning Trips
Costa Rica 2019
Hawaii 2022
What Are We Exploring?
Upcoming AHS Trips Abroad in 2024 & 2025
2024
February: Thailand
April: Italy
2025
February: TBD
April: Japan
Recommended Travel Organizations
Each student journey is authentic and unique and we celebrate that! Families determine the path that is right for each Global Scholar. AHS provides many opportunities for travel, but we also have some travel organizations that our students have had great success with. Students may choose to travel with the school, an independent travel organization or with families. We ask that students share prospective plans with the Global Advisory Team prior to booking travel.
