Bullis Blog | Global Studies Trips

Good morning from the San José Airport,  The time has come to say goodbye to Costa Rica. Students are checked in and ready to board their flight. There were many different emotions at our group debrief with Dr. Moreno and our Global Works leaders last night - sadness at the thought of leaving, joy for the memories made, confidence from stepping outside their comfort zone, and an eagerness at the thought of reuniting with families. Students also shared their highlights with the group - Volcano Arenal, white water rafting on the Balsa River, community service in Santa Ana, time spent at Chrisley Cheese Farm, zip-lining through the La Fortuna rainforest, planting trees on the waterfall hike, and surf lessons at Playa Chaman.  Here are two reflections from our students on the trip as a whole.  London D. reflects on the trip:  "Overall, our Discovery Days trip to Costa Rica was amazing! The most challenging moment in the whole trip was making the sidewalk....

Hi all, First of all, you may have seen the fires in the Keys. We are safe, just a little inconvenienced by the immense traffic buildup. We also do not have internet at the hotel due to the fires, so please excuse any brevity or typos as I attempt to type this from my small phone.  On the bright side, the kids love the extra bus time together!  Today's activities included education at the Dolphin Training Center, beach snorkeling, kayaking through the mangroves, watercolor painting at sunset, and bonding during beach time. Here are the descriptions from the kids themselves: Cayla G. Wow, what an awesome day! I woke up and went to a tasty breakfast. After that, I hopped on a bus and learned all about the Florida Keys! We even went to the beach to try snorkeling, and I saw an old shipwreck. Then, we went to a dolphin center, where I got to ride with the dolphins! It was a little surprising when I went first and got a face full of saltwater, but it was still fun! We relaxed in ...

Dear Bullis Parents and Community Members, We've safely arrived in the beautiful Outer Banks! Our day began at the Wright Brothers Memorial, where students enjoyed stunning views and impressed the ranger by asking thoughtful questions and engaging with the history around them. Next, we explored Jockey's Ridge State Park, where students soaked up the sun, explored the rolling sand dunes, and enjoyed friendly games of football and soccer. In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner (the hush puppies were a huge hit!) and spent time gathering together at the hotel to share laughs and wind down. We're so proud of how our students embraced our first-day adventures with joy! Please enjoy these photos capturing highlights of our day, along with reflections from our talented 6th-grade student bloggers! We can't wait to share more in the days ahead! Lila C. writes: We started out the day by driving to OBX! Bus rides can be very fun when all your friends are there! After ...

Greetings, Bullis families and community!  It is our final evening in Costa Rica, and emotions are bittersweet. Students spent a lovely morning exploring the beach and lounging by the pool in Uvita. Then it was time to travel by bus to San Jose, stopping for souvenir shopping on the way. We ended the evening by celebrating and reflecting on the trip with our Global Works leaders.  Two students reflected on the day.  From the perspective of Addie W.E.: "It’s our last full day in Costa Rica, and it has been a wild ride. This morning we woke up bright and early at 7:00am and started packing for our last hotel of the trip. We then made our way to breakfast. Later, we had the option to go to either the pool or the beach. I chose to go to the beach called Playa Chamán, and it was so much fun! We walked into the water and jumped over all the waves. After enjoying a bit of time at the beach, we made our way back to the hotel for showers and packing. We put our suitcases...

Hello! We've arrived safely in Key Largo after a looooong day of travel and adventure in the Everglades. Students viewed the wildlife from airboats, on foot, tram, and even by flashlight during an evening walk to spot nighttime predators in hunting action. It was Gator Nation down here in the Sunshine State! Please read below as some students describe their experiences in their own words: Ava N. Our first day in Florida consisted of many activities, including taking a tram tour through the Everglades National Park. Although the sun beat down on our backs, it was incredible to see the crocodiles, birds, and alligators! When we passed by a crocodile so close it could've snapped an arm or leg off, everybody took memorable photos. The fabulous fish in the crystal clear water swam with passion. As we walked up the tower, it felt as though we were on top of the world. Today was only day one, but we are already excited about the upcoming activities on our trip. Mariah R. Wal...

Hello, Bullis community! Students were up early this morning to spend an eventful and fulfilling day exploring beautiful Uvita. Their day comprised of surf lessons on Playa Chaman, tree-planting to support Costa Rica's ecosystem, a waterfall hike, and ended with salsa lessons and karaoke! Everyone had a phenomenal time, and here are two reflections about the day: A few words from Mahlia A.: "Today was amazing! We woke up from our first night in Uvita, bright and early, at 6:30 AM. First, we headed over for breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, our day officially started. My bus group headed to the mountains for a hike. As we ascended the mountain, we stopped along the way to help the Costa Rican forest ecosystem by planting trees. We then headed higher up the mountain and finally reached a beautiful waterfall. As we took a dip in the refreshing water, we played games, had contests, and took photos. We then went to the beach for a surf lesson. After patiently waiting an...