2025 Global Travel Program Transforms Learning

For Colorado Academy students, education extends far beyond classroom walls: Experiential and outdoor education, service learning, and Interim experiences are among the ways learners of all ages gain empathy and deeper understanding of the world.

CA’s robust Global Travel program for Middle and Upper School students may be the school’s most transformative offering.

Through travel with their peers and teachers, students not only gain new perspectives, but also develop resilience as they face challenges from speaking new languages and navigating unfamiliar environments to negotiating cultural differences and solving real-world problems. These experiences help students discover hidden passions in school, whether it’s through the arts, sciences, world languages, or humanities.

According to Director of Global Travel Taja McKinney, “Our program this year encouraged students to step beyond their comfort zones to encounter new cultures and individuals, all while knowing they could count on the guidance of experienced CA faculty mentors as well as local guides and experts.”

Upper School

Colombia - May 23-31

Students began a transformative journey in Medellín, where they explored the vibrant historic center and witnessed the city’s remarkable urban renewal through its colorful street art and innovative spirit set against lush mountain backdrops. The experience deepened in the charming colonial village of Jardín de Antioquia, where students lived with welcoming host families and engaged directly with local students at area schools, creating authentic connections while practicing their Spanish in real-life situations. Throughout the program, students participated in unforgettable activities including hiking to spectacular waterfalls, visiting mountaintop coffee farms, and learning traditional cooking techniques alongside their host families, all of which enriched their understanding of Colombian culture and heritage. By the trip’s end, students had gained not only improved language skills but also a profound appreciation for Colombia’s diversity and a broader global perspective that challenged and inspired them as engaged citizens.

Costa Rica - March 24-30

Upper School students participated in an amazing trip to Costa Rica over Spring Break with World Leadership School. Highlights included a trip to Coffee Co-op in Hojancha, working at the community recycling center in Nosara, participating in a cultural exchange with a local high school in Santa Cruz, surfing in Playa Guiones, and eating an amazing lunch at a family-owned restaurant on the beach where they catch they fish they serve everyday. It would be impossible to describe all of the amazing activities, meals, landscapes, and people that students encountered during a week on the Nicoya Peninsula, but after spending time there it’s easy to see why this region is designated as one of the five Blue Zones in the world.

Greece - May 23-31

Students embarked on an extraordinary educational journey through Greece over Interim that transformed their understanding of contemporary global issues and ancient history. On the island of Lesvos, they engaged directly with frontline organizations addressing the refugee crisis, gaining unparalleled insights into global migration and humanitarian aid. Through meaningful conversations with local residents and NGOs and expert-led sessions with noted historians, students developed critical analysis skills and cross-cultural communication abilities as they drew connections between historical population movements and current global migration trends. The program balanced these weighty topics with joyful cultural immersion—exploring olive groves, ancient amphitheaters, castles, and fishing villages, swimming in the Mediterranean, and preparing traditional Greek dishes in hands-on cooking classes that connected food to history and cultural identity. In Athens, they concluded their journey by walking through the historic Acropolis and exploring the Parthenon, connecting with the foundations of Western civilization and democracy. The program combined profound learning experiences with moments of pure joy, discovery, and exquisite Greek cuisine.

Spain - June 9-19

Students embarked on an enlightening summer expedition through Spain, exploring the rich history of Madrid, Segovia, Granada, Ronda, and Seville while marveling at Renaissance plazas, Gothic cathedrals, and the magnificent Alhambra. Beyond sightseeing, students actively participated in Spain’s living history through hands-on museum experiences, traversing ancient Roman roads, and engaging with vibrant flamenco traditions. Culinary workshops allowed them to master traditional dishes like paella and gazpacho, providing authentic insight into the region’s gastronomic heritage. This immersive adventure successfully brought textbook knowledge to life, giving students a multisensory exploration of Spanish language, history, and culture that fostered a deep understanding of Spain’s complex past and vibrant present.

Taiwan - June 9-21

Over 13 activity-packed days, Colorado Academy’s Global Travel trip to Taiwan allowed students to explore the island nation across elevations, from geographic low points (Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields) to peering down at its capital city from the 91st floor of Taipei 101 (formerly the world’s tallest skyscraper). They engaged with Taiwan’s past, investigating its indigenous communities (visiting the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village), complex political history (contemplating the controversial birth of modern Taiwan at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall), and rich culinary traditions (preparing soup dumplings and pineapple cakes). Trip leaders and students also saw a glimpse of Taiwan’s present and future, participating in classes and homestays at the National Tainan First Senior High School, and touring cutting-edge research labs at Taipei Tech. The number of sites visited, however, pales in importance next to the friendships forged (within the group and with those they met) and the lessons learned about themselves and the world over two whirlwind weeks.

Middle School

Belize - June 7-14

From connecting with a local school to snorkeling through coral reefs and dissecting lionfish, Middle School students explored everything Belize has to offer. Students visited Mayan ruins, danced to Garifuna drums, night-snorkeled with octopus, and learned what it means to be part of a global community. This odyssey offered the perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and environmental stewardship. Middle Schoolers traversed jungles and reefs, connected with local communities, and contributed to real conservation efforts—all while experiencing the unique charm of Central America’s only English-speaking country.

Costa Rica - May 10-17

Even on a campus like CA’s, with its deeply caring and knowledgeable teachers, there are certain things that just can’t be taught in the classroom. Sustainability, intercultural communication, global citizenship—on the Costa Rica Interim students lived all of these. Students spent time living with local families, meeting with organic farmers, playing with students at the local elementary school, hearing from bio reserve research scientists, and understanding the connection between choices we make in Colorado to the well-being of the rainforests as well as communities around the world. From the anxiety of the first night at a family farm home stay (where no one speaks much English) to the tears of saying goodbye to them, Costa Rica provides middle school students with a learning experience that can’t be explicated in a classroom - one that is memorable, meaningful, challenging, and fun…at least once you’ve escaped the bugs!

The Netherlands - May 9-17

Seventh and Eighth Grade students explored the Netherlands through the lens of Innovation in Context, visiting Den Haag, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Highlights included learning about Dutch ingenuity in water management at Kinderdijk, the Dutch Delta Works, a floating farm, and an impressive storm-surge barrier. Students also explored cultural landmarks such as the Peace Palace, the Mauritshuis, and the Rijksmuseum, and sampled Dutch treats like stroopwafels and bitterballen while exploring vibrant local markets.

See more 2025 Global Travel Photos