How Participating in Mission Trips Benefits Students

Shot of a volunteer doctor giving checkups to underprivileged kids

Currently a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Zoe Reardon attended high school at the Atlanta International School (AIS). During her time in high school, Zoe Reardon participated in two mission trips, one to Mexico and another to Nepal.

AIS makes mission trips for students a priority because of its belief that young people should learn they can make a difference in the world. In addition to delivering critical supplies and services to developing communities, mission trips benefit the volunteers.

Taking part in a mission trip opens students’ eyes to other cultures, where they can witness the impact of poverty. This experience helps raise their consciousness and expand their worldview.

Young people who participate in mission trips also learn teamwork, collaboration, and socialization with people outside their usual circles. As students step out of their comfort zone, they also gain self-confidence and begin to internalize the belief that their actions can make a difference in the lives of others.

Atlanta International School Prizes Innovative, Global Education

Currently studying business and world languages, Zoe Reardon was recently recognized as a Second Century Scholar at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. A graduate of the Atlanta International School (AIS), Zoe Reardon excelled in her high school studies and participated in a school mission trip to Nepal.

Encompassing a primary, middle, and upper school, AIS is committed to cultivating students’ passion for education and encouraging them to make a positive impact on the world. To prepare students to address the societal challenges of the modern world in innovative ways, the school provides access to the latest technologies and teaches the importance of using computational thinking to analyze complex data.

AIS also emphasizes intercultural competence with its inclusion of classes on foreign languages and the literature of multiple cultural traditions around the world. AIS also works to instill values like empathy, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking. Furthermore, the school offers an International Baccalaureate degree program for grades 11 and 12, which is widely recognized for its high-quality, college-preparatory curriculum.

Atlanta International School Helps with Space Station Experiment

Pursuing a double major in business and world languages, Zoe Reardon is attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, on an International Baccalaureate Scholarship and a Second Century Scholars four-year scholarship. Prior to enrolling in college, Zoe Reardon excelled in her high school studies at the Atlanta International School (AIS).

A private institution that comprises a primary, middle, and upper school, AIS strives to provide a high-quality education while encouraging students to make a positive impact on the world. In addition to organizing mission trips, AIS offers hands-on educational opportunities such as the AIS Space Program.

Open to students from sixth to 12th grade, the Space Program is part of the school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) international baccalaureate curriculum. Led by the school’s head of technology, the young scientists are working on an experiment that will be launched into space and studied for 30 days in the International Space Station.

The data collected from the student-driven experiment will be used to develop an algorithm that represents the growth model of microorganisms.

The Alliance Theatre Helps Middle Schools Launch Theater Programs

Zoe Reardon, a business and world languages student, currently attends Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a Second Century Scholars four-year scholarship. Before attending SMU, Zoe Reardon worked as a theater instructor at the Alliance Theatre summer camp, where she taught children theater skills and directed performances.

The Alliance Theatre features a JumpStart Theatre program, which it operates in partnership with the Educational Theatre Association. The JumpStart program trains middle school teachers to lead production efforts for their school’s first musical. Using a combination of hands-on mentoring, intensive training sessions, and a collection of theatrical resources, the JumpStart program helps schools build sustainable musical theater programs for the first time.

The theatrical program is focused not only on teaching dramatic skills, but also promoting high school, college, and employment readiness by developing skills, such as collaboration, problem solving, and creativity. Schools are selected for the program based on their passion and commitment to creating a sustainable theater programs.