As more states are investing in high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, educators are turning to real-life experiences such as work-based learning. However, another choice exists. Travel service learning through volunteer or study abroad programs satisfy the fourth-year capstone for multiple programs of study within a given CTE pathway or career cluster.
Usually, a CTE student in his/her final year completes a seminar, dissertation, or work study as a capstone project. Imagine, instead, culminating the years of study with a week of international travel, with hands-on experience in the student’s pathway and providing even more depth to his/her chosen program of study. Along with the sweat equity invested in exploring their potential career path, they will also gain soft skills as they navigate travel, build character as they discover what it means to overcome challenges and barriers like language, and discover firsthand what type of problem solver they are.
Global Citizen Adventure Corps, a travel service learning tour company founded as a nonprofit by two educators who wanted to ensure that students from Title 1 schools were not left behind due to limited finances, intentionally offers several options for capstone consideration.
Agriculture – Harvest a bountiful collection of memories.
Share agricultural education, conduct soil assessments, implement sustainable farming initiatives, or assist with infrastructure improvements for agricultural facilities.
Locations: Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras
Conservation – Conserve and protect animals, plants, and curious natures.
Address sustainable forest management, animal rescue, conservation education, habitat assessments; implement sustainable resource management initiatives; or assist with infrastructure improvements for conservation facilities.
Locations: Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico
Economic Development – Invest in personal growth by investing in others.
Conduct market assessments, help implement microfinance initiatives.
Locations: Brazil. Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Mexico
Education – Experience education as the transformation it was meant to be.
Serve as native speakers of English in an English as a Second Language classroom, take part in an after-school program, or assist with the development of resources as part of a literacy workshop.
Locations: Brazil. Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico
Health – Break through cultural barriers with compassionate care.
Conduct health screenings, implement wellness programs, or assist with infrastructure improvements for healthcare facilities.
Locations: Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras
Culinary Arts – Enjoy the delectable delights at an expanded table.
Learn from seasoned chefs who adeptly pass on their culinary wisdom through time-honored instructional methods rooted in culinary heritage, explore sociocultural contexts at local markets via the aromas and details shared on the origins of flavors, gain insights that transcend borders and boundaries as farmers explain the roots of their efforts to sustainably grow food and provide for the future.
Locations: Brazil. Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico
Hospitality & Tourism – Witness both sides of customer satisfaction.
Collaborate with local business owners and guides to identify and address specific tourism needs within the host community; participate in learning opportunities such as management of local markets, operation of small lodging establishments and tour companies; experience the intersection of cultural celebrations and customer relations; and support of micro financed arts initiatives
Locations: France, Guatemala, Mexico
Benefits
Volunteering internationally builds more than memories for high school and college students. Lives can be changed as they interact with new cultures, define and strengthen character through service, and learn what potential career paths look like in a different setting.
To provide an academic foundation of the hands-on and in-country portion of a capstone project, GCAC partners with Bethel University to offer three hours of transferable college credit as students take part in an online course on global citizenship. Scholarships are available to those who commit to 100 hours of community service at home and in-country. For those who complete the program, Bethel is certified to award the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a further enhancement to a student’s resume.
Students can join one of the many programs scheduled for the year during academic breaks or be part of a school charter with GCAC. Teachers who enlist ten students to travel with them and serve as a co-leader for the experience will receive training and travel at no cost.
For more information on customizing a capstone project for CTE students, contact info@globalcitizenadventurecorps.org.