As a result of participating in this Discovery Week course students will:

• Be able to brag that they hiked some of the most beautiful canyons in Africa.
• Be an expert on the beliefs and architecture of the early sects of Christianity unique to Ethiopia.
• Be able to speak various phrases in a Cushtic Language.
• Be able to identify the various tribes of Northern Ethiopia by their clothing and village structure.
• Be familiar with East African wildlife and geography.
• Be able to dance the “Eskesta” and the “Snake Dance”.
• Be able to identify and cook various Ethiopian staples and festival foods.

Course Description/Itinerary:

Students will travel to the canyons of northern Ethiopia and live and work with village children on various projects associated with their town and school. Planned around this core of cultural exchange and service, are various activities such as hiking, cooking classes, tours of ancient Christian sites, archaeology lessons, dance training with local experts and meditation.

Requirements/Considerations:

• Must have an interest in having new cultural experiences.
• Must be able to walk and hike long distances.
• Must be comfortable with eating new and interesting foods.
• Must be willing to communicate and teach others.
• Must be willing to get dirty and do some hard work.
• Sunday to Sunday

Approximate Cost: $2,500 - $3,000

Sponsors: Mr. McMillan, Ms. Mayo, Mr. Hutchin

Course Location: Ethiopia

Course Category: Service, Adventure, Cultural Exchange

Student Leaders: Looking for three responsible students, with previous leadership experience, who are willing to put in some time and effort before and after the trip to connect what we experience to what we are learning in our classrooms via CAS and TOK. They also must be able to lead a team of 8-10 students through physical tasks and culturally challenging situations. Send email inquiry to Mr. McMillan by May 9, and be sure to choose this course as one of your four.

Additional Resources: A video of a DW from another school that had a similar itinerary.