Mission

St. Paul's School believes that a student's education extends beyond the classroom and that a change in physical environment necessarily enriches perspective. Our educational philosophy embraces diversity and endorses the principle that as individuals we learn when we broaden our own beliefs, values, and customs and seek out the wisdom and experience of others. To foster these values, we encourage our students to pursue an authentic understanding of a culture different from their own and to engage this new culture with an open mind.

Goals

• Complement the student's on-campus education by offering meaningful personal connections with different cultures and other perspectives.
• Challenge students to open themselves to new voices, customs, and understanding so that, in turn, they will become more aware of their own values and beliefs.
• Represent a broad range of interests and opportunities to account for the reality that each student differs in readiness to go beyond familar comforts.
• Balance both domestic and international opportuntiies because a student does not necessarily have to leave the United States to find the cultural diversity and difference
  that will offer a significant and enriching experience.
• Incorporate preparatory exercises prior to, reflection during, and a culminating project
  following the progam in order to provide for an integrated experience that enriches the individual student as well as the collective School community.
• Offer a transformative experience that will foster a passion and a sense of responsibility
  for the world beyond the student's familiar exposure.

The Off-Campus Experience

The off-campus experience is defined by a student's significant exposure to a culture different from his or her own, as well as three or more of the following conditions:

• Comprehensive immersion into a language different from his or her primary language.
• Significant participation in service-learning activity.
• Understanding of a major global issue (e.g., environmental stewardship, sustainable development, cultural preservation, globalization, poverty, healthcare, education, and governance).
• Specific connection to the student's on-campus experience or program of study.
• Experiential leadership opportunity.