Bullis Blog | Global Studies Trips

Hola Bullis Community! Another beautiful and action-packed day in La Fortuna comes to a close! As mentioned yesterday, students were able to switch itineraries today. All of the students were eager to participate in community service, cheese-making, and white-water rafting after hearing from their peers how wonderful the experiences were. Our nightly closing circle provided students the opportunity not only to reflect, but to use their newfound knowledge about Costa Rica to approach challenges the next day with confidence, problem-solving skills, and a greater sense of teamwork. They are truly traveling with purpose! And as a special surprise, our amazing Global Works leaders organized a traditional Costa Rican dance performance! Not only were students able to witness internationally acclaimed dancers perform, but they were also invited to dance along with them at the end of the performance. Here are three reflections on today's events from our young globe-trotters:  From the...

  Hello again, Bullis community! It has been an eventful, insightful, and collaborative Day #2 in La Fortuna! One half of our students experienced the value and impact of serving a local community and learned about the process of cheesemaking from a local entrepreneur. Across the way, the other half of our group conquered the thrilling rapids of the Balsa River, went souvenir shopping, and enjoyed some relaxing time at the hot springs. We ended our day with a thoughtful, reflective closing circle to ground us in our experiences. Students had quite a bit to say about these experiences:  Z oe A. '30 writes: Pura vida! Overall, today was a great day! Because of the time difference, I woke up early, but breakfast was at 8:30 AM, so I relaxed in bed and chatted with friends. When it was finally time to get ready, my roommate Sammi and I got out of the door swiftly and took a longer route to enjoy the morning scenery, including Volcano Arenal. My first day of breakfast was gre...

Greetings from Costa Rica! It has been quite a day for our 8th grade students! They started with early morning flights, and ended the night with a closing circle to give shout-outs, talk logistics, and prepare for the following day. Students also met our phenomenal Global Works leaders for the first time and discussed expectations for the trip to ensure a safe and positive experience. The trip is off to a great start, and students are enjoying themselves as they settle into La Fortuna. Here are two first hand perspectives from our young world travelers about their day and initial experiences in Costa Rica: Akhil K. '30 writes: The day started off with us meeting at the DCA airport. Even though we had to wait for a while, I enjoyed hanging out with my friends for a long time. After we got through check in and dropped off our bags, we went through TSA. After TSA, we went to the gate and boarded our first flight to Miami. We were able to sit with our peers, so that made the fligh...

Dear Bullis Parents and Community Members, Our four days of discovery, adventure, and learning beyond the classroom ended at our final stop—the historic Chicamacomico Life-saving Station. Standing there, with the wind in our faces and the ocean behind us, it was a perfect moment to reflect on all that the students had experienced. Through the eyes of our student bloggers, this week has been more than just visiting new places. It has been about friendship, collaboration, problem-solving, and moments of wonder that can't always be captured in a photo or blog entry, but will stay with them long after we return. Please enjoy two final reflections through the voices of our 6th-grade bloggers. Alana K. writes: Oh boy, what a week we had! The week started with the Wright Brothers Memorial, Jockey Ridge (sand dunes), and our hotel. We also went fishing at Jennette's Pier and visited the Coastal Studies Institute, where we learned about electricity and ocean health. We all had fu...

Dear Bullis Parents and Community Members, Today, we returned for a full day of STEM exploration and discovery at Jennette's Pier and the Coastal Studies Institute, building on the learning and experiences we began yesterday. We welcome you to experience today's adventures through the thoughtful reflections of our 6th-grade bloggers, as well as photos that capture each moment! Mia R. writes: We started our day with a delicious breakfast! Next, we went to our first stop, which was Jennette's Pier, where we took a fascinating class on the sounds of the ocean and determined what a healthy ocean sounds like. Next, we headed to Roanoke Island for a delicious outdoor lunch. We enjoyed some great sandwiches. Afterward, we visited the Coastal Studies Institute, and this is where the magic really happened! The highlight of my day was building ROVs in a friendly competition. It was fun, and it was also a great learning experience. I discovered how magnetic energy works and ho...