Student Resources

Join the 200+ TVS students and faculty who have hosted our international guests since 2011!

Experience another culture without leaving your home and share our culture with our international guests. TVS families are 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!

FALL 2019:

1. HOSTS FOUND! (But, we will do this same exchange next year) WHO: 6 Upper School Students & 1 Teacher (Upper School families preferred)
FROM: Trier, GERMANY (Auguste Viktoria Gymnasium, TVS partner school)
WHEN: Oct 6 - 20
MORE: There are 2 options to host:

• HOST ONLY--all ages (CLICK HERE) or
• 1:1 EXCHANGE--grades 9-11--host Oct 6-20, then travel to Trier to stay with your guest from approx. May 25 - June 7 (APPLY HERE)

2. HOSTS FOUND! WHO: 8 Upper School Students & 1 Teacher (all ages can apply)
FROM: Toluca & Metepec, MEXICO (Tec de Monterrey, TVS partner school)
WHEN: Approx. Nov 23 - Dec 8 (only two weeks**this is an update); including Thanksgiving; CLICK HERE to host

CONTACT DR. ROEMER TODAY FOR MORE INFO!

SPRING 2020:

3. HOST FOUND! WHO: 1 Danish Assistant Teacher (female; 21 years old; all ages can host)
FROM: Esbjerg, DENMARK (University of Copenhagen-SYD)
WHEN: Approx. Jan 4 - Feb 15 (6 weeks; can be split by two families); CLICK HERE to volunteer to host!
MORE: International Assistant Teachers pay their host families $100/week to offset living expenses

4. Need Host for just a few weeks! WHO: 1 Danish Assistant Teachers (female; 21 years old; all ages can host)
FROM: Aarhus, DENMARK (VIA University)
WHEN: Approx. Jan. 25 - Feb 16 (3 weeks); CLICK HERE to volunteer to host!
MORE: International Assistant Teachers pay their host families $100/week to offset living expenses

5. HOST FOUND! WHO: 1 Swiss Assistant Teacher (male; 27 years old; all ages can host)
FROM: Zürich, SWITZERLAND (Zurich University of Teacher Education)
WHEN: Approx. Jan. 11 - Feb 9 (4 weeks); CLICK HERE to volunteer to host!
MORE: International Assistant Teachers pay their host families $100/week to offset living expenses

6. We Still Need Hosts! WHO: 10 Chinese Students (MS & US) and 1 Teacher; all ages can host
FROM: Beijing, CHINA (Beijing High School No. 4, TVS partner school)
WHEN: Jan 11-19 (only 8 nights); CLICK HERE to volunteer to host!

7. HOSTS FOUND! WHAT: 1:1 Exchange (Host, then travel & be hosted!)
WHO: 2-5 9th/10th graders
FROM: Mackay, AUSTRALIA (Whitsunday Anglican School, TVS partner school)
WHEN: Host April/May (3-4 weeks); travel to Mackay in July (3-4 weeks) and be hosted by your April guest and Whitsunday Anglican School
APPLY HERE (students)

8. HOSTS FOUND!
WHAT: 1:1 Girls Exchange (Host, then travel & be hosted!)
WHO: 2-4 female 8th graders
FROM: Edinburgh, SCOTLAND (St. George's School for Girls, TVS partner school)
WHEN: Host April/May (3 weeks); travel to Edinburgh approx. May 25 - June 14 (3 weeks) and be hosted by your April guest and St. George's School for Girls
APPLY HERE (students)

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.

2020

1. AUSTRALIA 1:1 Exchange Program (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. $2,500 (hosting costs not included and vary)

2. COSTA RICA--TOE Beyond Program (May be offered again in 2023)

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: July 8-17; $2,895
* Application: Contact Mr. Amos to sign up

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

3. GERMANY 1:1 Exchange Program (Might be offered annually)

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 host (Oct 6-20) then stay with your guest, attend school together, and explore Germany for about 2 weeks in the summer
* Ages/Max #: 9th-11th grades at time of application; 2-6 students
* When/Duration/Cost: Host Oct 6-20; Travel approx. May 25 - June 7; approx. $2,500 for travel; hosting costs not included and vary.

4. JAPAN Beyond War & Peace (Program ends right before the Olympics so your family can meet up to attend the games)

To learn about and reflect upon notions of War and Peace while exploring some of Japan's most famous ancient and modern sites, attending one of Japan's largest festivals, 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, witnessing one of Japan's largest and most famous festivals, 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: July 11-23 (ends the day before Olympics start, if parents want to meet us and stay behind with your child); approx. $3,900
* More: Check TVS summer Explore Program for optional pre-trip 1-2 week history class on "Japan Today" (additional fees apply)

5. SCOTLAND 1:1 Girls Exchange (Offered annually)

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

* Core Experiences: Host a student from our partner school in Edinburgh; share/explore DFW & TVS together; be hosted by the same student and St. George’s School for Girls; explore Edinburgh and other parts of the U.K. with your host family and the school
* Ages/Max #: 8th grade girl at time of application; 2 – 4 students
* When/Duration/Cost: Host April/May (3 weeks); Travel approx. May 25 - June 14 (3 weeks); Approx. $2,500 (hosting costs not included and vary)

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

POSSIBLE FUTURE TRIPS

2021

1. 1:1 Exchanges in Australia, Germany, & Scotland (see above for details)
2. Bahamas TOE Beyond
3. eSwatini Service / Culture Program (Spring Break)
4. Greece TOE Beyond/History Exploration
5. Ireland Field Hockey Program

2022

1. 1:1 Exchanges in Australia, Germany, & Scotland (see above for details)
2. Austria TOE Beyond
3. China History / Language / Homestay
4. England Shakespeare / British Theatre
5. Morocco Culture / History Program
6. Spain Language / Culture / Homestay

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

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).