Academics
Travel Experiences

Service Learning Abroad

Service Learning

Episcopal students have the opportunity to take part in annual community service trips abroad through the School's partnerships with nonprofit organizations around the globe.

During service trips, students discover the transformative power of service to others while immersing themselves in another culture. Leadership activities are woven through service, workshops, and excursions. For students, these trips undoubtedly provide life-changing experiences that will cultivate a global perspective and open-mindedness, ultimately inspiring them to become leaders and global thinkers who will make positive change in their own communities.

Kenya Service International: Summer 2020

This summer, Episcopal returns to Kenya for another service learning experience. For the past decade, Episcopal has traveled to Western Kenya to visit with its school partner the Elewana Education Project, named for the Swahili word for understanding. This nonprofit, founded by The Rev. Zack Drennan '88, is committed to supporting education in Western Kenya through scholarships and facilities improvements.

Kenya is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife, but beyond this, Kenya is actually one of the fastest growing countries in Africa. On this program we will start our trip in Nairobi, the nation’s capital and largest city. We will explore the issues of modern Kenya in the city as we prepare for our project work in Western Kenya. We will meet with local innovators, students, and non-profits as we explore this incredible African metropolis.

Then, the group will head west to work with Elewana and a local partner school. EHS will forward the mission of the Elewana Foundation as we brainstorm ideas for their work and connect with Kenyan students. Activities will include exploring the local markets, visiting primary schools, and even learning to cook some Kenyan food with our new friends.

Finally, our journey will conclude with a safari in the Masai Mara, one of the world’s premiere wildlife destinations. Students will soak up the wonder of Africa's animals in the wild, as well as the spectacular landscape of Kenya, before we return to Nairobi for our flight home. Along the way, we will ask questions about global collaboration, development, and education as we think about next steps in Kenya and back at home.

Students will be traveling on an EHS-only trip facilitated by Atlas Workshops. This is a strenuous trip in the sense that it gets students out of their comfort zones in a big way. Trips in previous years have included our India trip, two trips to Haiti, and two trips to Greece.

Deadlines & Details

Student Qualifications: All current freshmen, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: November 4, 2019

Trip Dates: Tentative dates June 9-23, 2020

Estimated Cost: $5,200 (Includes airfare, accommodations, meals, and transportation; daily excursions, entrance fees, and classroom materials; Personal expenses are not included in the cost of the trip)

Travel: Students will travel with EHS adults on the same designated flight from Washington to Kenya on the same day and time.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Rev. Betsy Gonzalez.

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Program Coordinator

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