Academics
Global Engagement
AC Center for Global Engagement
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This is not your typical study abroad…
In this program, students embark on service-learning, research, entrepreneurial and cultural-immersion international trips, and participate in leadership and exchange opportunities within the local community and across the world.
While many schools offer foreign languages and study abroad trips, the AC Center for Global Engagement goes much deeper. Our program is based on a proprietary curriculum that supports AC's Global Engagement Diploma.When our students learn about other cultures or travel abroad, it is not the typical tourist experience. Instead, they are active partners with the global organizations with which we work year round, year after year. Through the Center for Global Engagement, our students work side by side with students and organizations from around the world to gain multicultural perspectives, foster lifelong relationships, and create a culture of global empathy and responsibility. Our students leave this program, not only with global awareness but, with real life experiences and preparation to enter college and the global workforce.
Center for Global Engagement Mission
The Center for Global Engagement at Allendale Columbia is committed to growing and fostering partnerships around the world, exposing students to global opportunities and multicultural perspectives in preparation for college and the global workforce, and creating a culture of global empathy and global responsibility allowing students to make a positive and lasting impact on the world they will inherit.
Universities and colleges are increasingly interested in students who have experienced the world, have studied multicultural perspectives, have a sense of global empathy and responsibility, and are ready to be global leaders.
The AC Center for Global Engagement focuses on a proprietary curriculum that supports AC’s Global Engagement Diploma. In this program, students embark on service-learning, research, entrepreneurial and cultural-immersion international trips, and participate in leadership and exchange opportunities within the local community and across the world.
What We Do
Below are a few experiences students can look forward to participating in through the Center for Global Engagement.
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Global Diploma
Beginning in 8th grade, students can choose to pursue the Global Engagement Diploma, a unique program that allows students a chance to engage with local and international organizations and communities in a deeper more meaningful way. Designed to offer students choice, autonomy, and accountability, the requirements for the Global Diploma serve as a road map and every experience a student has leads to the next one. -
International Travel
Allendale Columbia and its Center for Global Engagement is committed to providing diverse and accessible travel opportunities to all its students. Students interested in participating in a trip during their Middle and/or Upper School years are encouraged to apply after hearing about the opportunities early in the school year.The travel opportunities offered are geared around service learning, cultural immersion, and/or entrepreneurship.In addition to the invaluable learning, growth, and relationship opportunities these travel and cultural experiences provide, these trips are designed to sustain strong connections with our overseas partners to ensure students have meaningful and safe experiences.
Previous travel has included trips to:
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Senegal
- Madagascar
Making an Impact Through Global Engagement
Allendale Columbia and its Center for Global Engagement is committed to providing diverse and accessible travel opportunities to all its students. Students interested in participating in a trip during their Middle and/or Upper School years are encouraged to apply after hearing about the opportunities early in the school year.
The travel opportunities offered are geared around service learning, cultural immersion, and/or entrepreneurship.
In addition to the invaluable learning, growth, and relationship opportunities these travel and cultural experiences provide, these trips are designed to sustain strong connections with our overseas partners to ensure students have meaningful and safe experiences.
Global Engagement Courses by Division
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Lower School
Every grade level in the Lower School (preschool-5th grade) studies the geography, customs, and culture of the world around them through authentic inquiry that is interwoven throughout various Project-Based Learning units during the school year. Students are exposed to opportunities in our community that help foster global understanding and empathy. This includes:- special guest speakers
- international fairs
- collaboration with cross-division language classes
- making international friends
- hearing about the cultural immersion and service trips taken by Middle and Upper School students
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Middle School
Global Engagement courses and experiences help shape Middle School students’ way of perceiving the world, and they help our students expand their global IQ. While these areas are taught in specific courses and experiences, much of this work is overlapping and interdisciplinary throughout the Middle School curriculum. The AC Middle School experience is all about having the opportunity to try out new things and get a taste of different experiences.Middle School is also when students have the opportunity to start learning about the Global Engagement Diploma Program, which requires students to participate meaningfully in service and cultural opportunities during their Upper School years. In preparation for this program, students at the Middle School level are encouraged to start thinking about the travel and service experiences available to them, as well as the languages they will commit to studying. -
Upper School
In the Upper School, students have the opportunity to start the Global Engagement Diploma Program, which allows them to graduate with a Global Diploma in addition to their regular diploma. As part of the Global Engagement Diploma Program, certain courses at Allendale Columbia are available to students, and not only do they provide credit in History, Art, or as an elective, but they also serve to satisfy the Global Engagement requirement for a Global Engagement elective course. Courses will be approved by the Global Engagement Diploma team.Examples of courses that have been counted toward this requirement include:- The Foundations of Cultures and Identities
- History of the Modern Middle East
- Painting and WorldArt
- World Music
- Cultural Identity Through Literature
- Gender in Literature and Culture
- Making an Impact: Globally
The Global Diploma program requires students to participate meaningfully in service and cultural opportunities both locally and abroad. Students are encouraged to apply during their 8th grade or 9th grade year for this exciting opportunity.
At Allendale Columbia, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students 18 months through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence.
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