Travel

Study Abroad

Travel is proven to broaden the mind, enrich the soul and educate us about new places and other cultures. Travel also provides opportunities to learn more about ourselves through adventures that make us stretch our limits as we leave behind the physical and emotional comforts of home.

Part of our strategic plan calls for the development of a strong travel program that includes varied opportunities for travel and study abroad. Toward that goal, opportunities for student travel abound at Saint Mary’s School. Throughout the academic year and each summer, students, faculty, staff, parents and alumnae join together to explore the world - from points of interest around North Carolina to destinations far and wide around the globe.

2012-2013 Travel Opportunities

Spoleto Study Abroad

Saint Mary’s participates in the consortium of independent schools that sends students to the Spoleto Study Abroad Summer Program in renowned Spoleto, Italy. This educational journey features a rich and varied curriculum in the arts. Excursions to medieval hill towns of Central Italy and to cultural centers such as Florence, Assisi, Tivoli and Siena offer students a chance to view significant artistic and historical masterpieces firsthand. Whether you are an artist, an actor, a dancer, a singer or a musician, fine arts instructors strive to

  • Build your self-confidence by grounding you in your chosen discipline
  • Empower you to grow into a thoughtful, expressive adult
  • Teach you the appropriate level of skill to a degree that pride in creative outcome is a given
  • Motivate you and teach to your individual goals and learning style
  • Instill in you a fundamental appreciation of our rich cultural arts heritage
  • Encourage you to preserve and support the arts in your own community

French Reciprocal Exchange

The Saint Mary’s French Exchange Program was established in 2003 and is a traditional student exchange. Students from the Institution des Chartreux in Lyon, France visit SMS each spring and live with their host students for two weeks. Saint Mary’s students then travel to Lyon for two weeks in early summer and live with the family of the student they hosted. This program is open to all French students and will help participants to improve their language skills through immersion in French language and culture. If you are interested in more information about this trip, contact Ms. Ramee (hhramee@sms.edu).

Educational Excursion to Spain

Each spring, the Saint Mary’s School World Languages department offers a week-long educational excursion to Spain for students in Spanish at SMS. The trip is a homestay situation in which the students are totally immersed in the language for seven days. We are hosted by families from El Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in the small coastal town of Chiclana de la Frontera in the province of Andalucía. In addition to attending school with their host sisters twice during the week, scheduled day trips to the picturesque “pueblos blancos” or whitewashed villages, to Sevilla and to Cádiz are also included. The students will visit many monuments of cultural and historical importance such as the Cathedral of Sevilla and the Torre Tavira of Cádiz. Students even participate in an introductory class to the rhythm of Spanish dance taught by a flamenco dancer from Sevilla. Students who have participated in this trip not only improve their language skills and experience Spanish culture firsthand, but also make meaningful friendships which last beyond the seven days spent in Spain. Please contact Ms. Narbona (spnarbona@sms.edu) if you are interested in more information.

Italy and Switzerland 

Travel with Ms. Bradbury and Ms. Smith in early June 2013. This 10 day trip will include visits to Lucerne, Switzerland (including Mount Pilatus), Venice and the Italian Lakes Region, Florence, Assisi and Rome. Visit the EF trip website and register. We look forward to traveling with you – students and adults welcome! Contact Ms. Bradbury (cwbradbury@sms.edu) for more information.

Annual Trip to New York City

Saint Mary’s organizes a trip to NYC each year for interested students, parents and friends. The trip is hosted by Margaret McGlohon 81C, Director of Alumnae Relations, and is organized by Beechwood Tours. The trip cost includes - round trip airfare, two night hotel stay, dinner, two broadway shows, portage, transportation to and from the airport, and tips. Travelers need spending money and money for other meals. There is free time to see the sights and suggestions are provided for shopping, museums, tours and restaurants. This is always a great trip as NYC is a must see! Contact Margaret McGlohon (memglohon@sms.edu) for more information.