Student Resources

Some recent announcements/opportunities include:

• Ever wondered what it would be like to host someone from another country but you're not quite ready to share your home? TVS is running its VIRTUAL HOSTING EXCHANGE again this year! SIGN UP HERE to get matched with a student your age from one of our partner schools across the globe!
• Join the Fort Worth Sister Cities Youth Board Kickoff Meeting! Oct 10 @ 2PM (UT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd)
• Interested in international issues (politics, economy, wars, peace, culture?) Join the TVS Jr. World Affairs Council (JWAC). Sign up at the Club Fair!
  • JWAC Regional Discussion: Immigration/Refugees. ONLINE Saturday, Oct. 9, 10:00-11:30 AM. CLICK HERE to register
  • JWAC Regional Discussion: Religious Discrimination Led by Brighter Horizons Academy students, ONLINE Oct. 20 from 6:30–8:00 PM CLICK HERE to register
  • World Affairs Council International Career Week Oct. 26-28 (4-6PM ONLINE) CLICK HERE to learn more and register
• Love geography or Jeopardy-type games? This year TVS will design and run its very own Geography Bee for the Middle School, and we need Upper School students to help. Email Dr. Roemer if you're interested in planning this event and coming up with the questions.
• Want to know what college students in Mexico and China think about environmental issues? Email Dr. Roemer to let him know you'd like to be a part of this online exchange (2-3 Zoom meetings during T-Period or lunch to help the Mexican students conduct some research).
• TVS Upper School Clubs/Committees you might be interested in joining this year: (email Dr. Roemer for more details)
  • Student Equity, Inclusion, & Community Committee (Help plan Multicultural Moments in Assemblies, discuss ways to improve the TVS experience towards the goal of creating a place of belonging for all students)
  • Unity Club (discuss a wide variety of social issues--domestic and abroad)
  • JWAC (Jr. World Affairs Council--discuss international topics, present/learn about student interests, attend expert talks, compete in the Academic WorldQuest competition...)
  • GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) (discuss topics pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community)
  • Multi-Racial Empowerment Club (discuss multiracial and ethnic diversity and their positive effects on our school and beyond)

Join the 240+ TVS students and faculty who have home-hosted our international guests since 2011 or our 70 students who hosted virtually in 2020-21!

Experience another culture without leaving your home and share our culture with our international guests. This year, you can host online again! SIGN UP HERE to join our Virtual Hosting Exchange.

TVS families are also invited to host 1-2 students/adults at a time from one or more of these countries. Guests need a place to sleep, a hospitable home, rides to/from school with your children, and some meals with your family. See below for details or to sign up, or contact Dr. Roemer to learn more!

Additionally, we are currently planning to host the following International Assistant Teachers in the spring. SIGN UP TODAY!

Spring 2022:

1. WHO: 1 Swiss Assistant Teacher (female; 20s; all ages can host)
FROM: Zürich, SWITZERLAND (Zurich University Teacher Education)
WHEN: Approx. Jan. 17 - Feb 12 (4 weeks); stay can be split between 2 families
MORE: International Assistant Teachers pay their host families (you!) $100/week to offset living expenses

HOST Hanna: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080849acaf2ca0fe3-host14

2-3. WHO: 2 Danish Assistant Teachers (1 female and 1 male; 20s; all ages can host 1 or the other)
FROM: Aarhus, DENMARK (VIA University)
WHEN: Approx. Jan. 31 - Mar 12 (6 weeks); stays can be split between 2-4 families
MORE: International Assistant Teachers pay their host families (you!) $100/week to offset living expenses

Host Natasja: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080849acaf2ca0fe3-host15

Host Andreas: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080849acaf2ca0fe3-host16

CONTACT DR. ROEMER TODAY FOR MORE INFO ON ANY OF THESE (OR FOR FUTURE) HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES!

 

CLICK HERE for more details about Hosting, including answers to FAQs.

In support of TVS’ Missions of “the development of wide constructive interests” and “intelligent citizenship” and TVS' Global Education goals of global competency for all our students in Self-awareness, Empathy, Cross-cultural Communication, and Cross-cultural Understanding, each year we offer Trojans Abroad and TOE Beyond Programs. Scroll down to see what TVS offers and other programs run by reputable third parties.

For reviews of previous TVS programs, CLICK HERE.

2022 (All trips are tentative due to COVID-19 travel restrictions)

1. AUSTRALIA 1:1 Exchange Program (typically offered annually)

To make close friends from Australia, share our cultures, and experience the beauty of Queensland

* Core Experiences: Host a student from our partner school in Mackay; share/explore DFW & TVS together; be hosted by the same student and Whitsunday Anglican School; explore the oceanside city of Mackay and its surroundings with your host family and the school
* Ages/Max #: 9th or 10th grade at time of application; 2 – 5 students
* When/Duration/Cost: Host April/May (3-4 weeks); Travel in July (3-4 weeks); Approx. $2,600 (hosting costs not included and vary)

2. COSTA RICA--TOE Beyond Program

To experience the rain forests of Costa Rica and connect with local people and nature

* Core Experiences: Hike the rain forests, rappel down a waterfall, swim in natural springs, practice your Spanish, and spend nights with your guides and their families
* Ages/Max #: 8th-12th grades at time of application (seniors require special permission and are not guaranteed a spot); 12-24 students
* When/Duration/Cost: summer 2022; approx. $3,000
* Application: Contact Mr. Amos to sign up

**To learn about financial aid for Trojans Abroad Programs, CLICK HERE.

3. GERMANY Hosting/Cultural Program (Apply through Fort Worth Sister Cities International--see below)

To make close friends from Germany, share our cultures, and experience the history of the region

* Core Experiences: Explore the rich history of Trier (Fort Worth's Sister City) and make close friends as you stay with a student from our partner school, attend school together, and explore Germany and Luxembourg for about 2 weeks this summer
* Ages/Max #: 9th-11th grades at time of application
* When/Duration/Cost: Travel approx. late May - early June ; approx. $2,500 for travel
* APPLY HERE by Oct 15 (includes 2 teacher recs)

4. JAPAN Beyond War & Peace (PENDING)

To learn about and reflect upon notions of War and Peace while exploring some of Japan's most famous ancient and modern sites, and having lots of fun and eating delicious foods

* Core Experiences: Experience Japan's struggles with war and peace by spending time in tranquil temples and shrines and visiting the Hiroshima Peace Museum; we will spend time in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka; we'll also visit an interactive light and sound museum and eat some amazing foods; our own Dr. Roemer (expert on Japanese culture) will lead the trip
* Ages/Max #: 8th-12th grades at time of application (seniors require special permission and are not guaranteed acceptance); 8-16 students
* When/Cost: (tentative) June; about 10 days; approx. $4,000

**To learn about need-based financial aid for Trojans Abroad Programs, CLICK HERE.

 

POSSIBLE FUTURE TRIPS

2023 (**If 2022 trips run as scheduled)

1. 1:1 Exchanges in Australia, Germany, & Scotland (see above for details)
2. Spain Language / Culture / Homestay
3. Eswatini Service / Culture Program (Spring Break)

2024

1. 1:1 Exchanges in Australia, Germany, & Scotland (see above for details)
2. China Language / Culture / Homestay
3. England Shakespeare / British Theatre
4. Greece TOE Beyond/History Exploration

 

The following abbreviated list is mainly for summer programs for 15-18-year-olds. There are also Gap Year programs (between high school graduation and beginning college) and semester and year-long programs available. Contact Dr. Roemer for more information.

CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.

When selecting a study abroad program beyond what TVS already offers, a few things you need to consider first are:

1. where you want to go;
2. for how long/when you want to go;
3. what you want the focus to be (e.g., language, community service, TOE-like experience, school credit, home stay…);
4. about how much you can spend; and
5. other reasons you want to go abroad.

African Leadership Academy Global Scholars Program
Global leadership program in South Africa; join an exclusive group of high school students from around the world; experience parts of southern Africa; volunteer with local organizations; make new friends; **study abroad and gap year programs also available at the African Leadership Academy

CIEE High School Summer Abroad
Language, Service Learning, Science, Arts, History, and other trips to Germany, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Botswana, Ireland, Morocco, and much more!

Experiment Leadership Institute
Fully-funded 6-week leadership programs in South Africa/Mozambique or India/Nepal

Fort Worth Sister Cities International
9-11 day culture exchange/home stay trips to Hungary, Germany, Italy, or Mexico for Spring Break and China, Japan, France, eSwatini/Swaziland, or Indonesia in the summer (offerings vary annually)
Applications: due around October 14 (including teacher recommendation)

Oxbridge Academic Programs
4-week pre-college academic programs and language immersion in England, France, Spain, or Scotland

Rustic Pathways
Service learning, Science, History, and other programs in Southeast Asia, Fiji/New Zealand, Peru, Cuba, and much more!

School Year Abroad
5-week language and cultural immersion in China, France, and Spain; global studies training in Italy; **semester programs also available

U.S. State Department Youth Ambassadors Programs
3-6 week Youth Ambassadors, Youth Leadership, American Youth Leadership Program; These trips are fully funded by the State department; click on the above link for more details/application.

Where There Be Dragons
4-6 week service/adventure/cultural/language exchange trips to China, Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Latin America, Africa, Middle East; college credits possible; **Semester and Gap Year programs available too.

There are many other programs available for you to consider. Talk with Dr. Roemer if you are interested in going abroad on one of these or if you'd like help searching for other programs.

 

 

Endowment Application

CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR UPDATED INFORMATION

Camp CommUNITY
Multicultural Alliance. Students from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and options come together for a 5-day sleep away camp focusing on leadership and social change. For 10-12th grades (at time of application); advanced registration around May 1. Camp dates: late June; Cost: approx. $325 (financial aid available)

Global Ethics and Conflict Resolution Summer Symposium for High School Students
Univ. of Texas at Austin. This camp is a unique university program for high school students interested in talking about the world, conflicts, and ethics and learning some skills of their own; fees range from $885-$1400. Financial Aid available. June (1 or 2 weeks). Deposit is due in May.

International Leadership Academy
Fort Worth Sister Cities International 2-week residential program focusing on making international friends and gaining leadership skills. Upper School (For current 9-12th grades; applications due in Feb (includes Teacher Recommendations); program dates July; Cost: approx. $1050

Middle School (6th-8th grades at time of registration; registration due in April; program dates July (one week); Cost approx. $325

Fort Worth Youth International
Join the Youth Board for Fort Worth Sister Cities International and get involved in their activities while meeting people from around the world. Excellent community service opportunities! To get involved on the Youth Board, check the FW Sister Cities calendar for open events for students.

This award recognizes 1-3 students (generally, seniors) who have demonstrated exceptional Upper School leadership in the world through an intimate understanding of, and repeated interactions with, people from different parts of the globe. Past recipients have proven to be conscientious global citizens through actions such as travel to foreign countries, advanced communication skills in at least one foreign language, hosting or being hosted by people from one or more countries, or participation in domestic international programs. See the list for the International Goodwill Ambassador certificate below for other examples. Contact Dr. Roemer to nominate a student, yourself, or a friend.

Past Recipients:

• 2014: Zach Harris, Anne Jacobs, & Mandy Miller
• 2015: Stephanie Bell
• 2016: Margaret Murray, Siva Paladugu, & Aniqa Premjee
• 2017: Grace Beasley
• 2018: Allison Byrd, Kamryn Dow, & Sarah Shamai
• 2019: Ananya Vennam
• 2020: Piper Duncan, David Fauber, Saleem Razack, Anna Stupfel, & Hayden Ullmann
• 2021: Deborah Carreno, Ellie Davis, Rowen Kliethermes, & Jacob Levy

This certificate recognizes Upper School students who have shown a commitment to improving our community’s understanding of, and who have had repeated interactions with, people from different cultures. Contact Dr. Roemer to nominate yourself or a friend. New and repeat award recipients must have participated in at least three new programs/activities each year (since May of the previous year):

1. Successfully completed (or nearly completed) the highest level of world language study offered at TVS or approved online course;
2. Able to converse with fluency or near fluency in more than one language;
3. Traveled/Studied for at least 8 days in a foreign country on a formal program;
4. Hosted or was hosted by one or more individuals from abroad;
5. Participated in a local or domestic international program;
6. Active member of an international club (e.g., Jr. World Affairs Council, International Food Club, etc.),
7. Completed volunteer work in another country;
8. Made a formal presentation of knowledge gained from experience with another culture;
9. Successfully completed (or nearly completed) coursework on advanced international topics (e.g., AP European History; AP Human Geography, AP World History, Modern Asia, Global Leadership, Religion in Culture, Social Justice, etc.);
10. Volunteered at an International Fair (TVS or elsewhere); and
11. Other (contact Dr. Roemer for other suggestions).