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International Studies

Global Mindedness Begins Here

At Country Day, global mindedness is about far more than travel—it's about building bridges to other people and places.
 
Our curriculum is infused with connection-making opportunities and a deep and varied international travel program, which offers Middle and Upper School students the chance to participate in sister school exchanges and global service, academic, environmental science, and cultural immersion experiences around the world.
Country Day is home to families and students who represent a wide range of cultures and nationalities, giving our students an opportunity to connect to a world that becomes smaller every day.
Students in Quebec

Global Experiences

  • International Travel Experiences. Beginning in the Middle School in sixth grade, our students are offered a broad range of travel experiences in academic, cultural, environmental science, and language immersion opportunities to a large number of countries around the world.
  • Sister School Exchanges. Since 1992, we have cultivated sister school partnerships in numerous countries and promoted experiences abroad for students in grades 6–12. Our current partnerships include Canada, Peru, and United Kingdom. The two-week exchanges include homestays, sightseeing, and some classes. During the school year, we welcome sister school friends in Charlotte. 
  • Connecting Curriculum. Our curriculum is infused with connection-making opportunities. Lower School music students participated in a "sharing concert" via Zoom with peers in Kenya; Middle School students use foreign soil samples in environmental science; and Upper School students contrast the U.S. system with other countries in AP Comparative Government and choose from elective courses such as World Religions and International Relations.
  • Global-Minded Faculty. Travel is essential to our broad approach to global mindedness, and that includes our faculty and staff. Grants, sabbaticals, and international research grants send Country Day teachers to learn firsthand in destinations throughout the world. They bring their experiences, insights, and understanding of other cultures back to their classrooms, broadening the global perspectives of their students.

     

Bringing the World to Country Day

Global mindedness isn't only about international travel—it's also about bringing the world to us. Students in all three divisions are given opportunities to discuss the world beyond our borders. For example:

  • Global-themed Clubs. On campus, our students can join a wide range of clubs including Model United Nations and Global Action Team (Middle School), and Model United Nations, Interact Club, International Studies Board, World Quest, and Euro Challenge (Upper School). Our parents are supported through the International Parent Board.
  • Community Events. Students are regularly involved in community international festivals and events sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and International House. We also have strong relationships with members of the North Carolina Diplomatic Corp. and regularly host on-campus forums, international film screens, and cultural presentations.
  • Visiting Diplomats. Students have participated in lunches with visiting diplomats, including ambassadors of Myanmar, Finland, Jamaica, Czech Republic, Germany, and Cape Verde. These interactions provide students with intimate insight into the world of diplomacy and a chance to interact with leaders on the world stage.
  • International Parents Group. Our international parents provide  tremendous support to the school and to each other. Representing 57 nationalities, this group regularly volunteers with the school and supports global families who are new to Country Day, and often new to the country.

Stéphane AllagnonDirector of International Studies

Our office partners with all the different constituents at Country Day to create a learning environment where students, parents, and faculty are exposed to global interactions. We offer many opportunities for our students and faculty to explore and experience the world, but we also partner with local agencies and entities to bring the global experience to the local scene. 'Global starts Local' and we strive to explore and be involved with the diverse and international population in the Charlotte area.”

Global Experiences

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