Mod Abroad
Opening our students to the world around them is a crucial element of the St. Mary's curriculum, and the Mod Abroad class plays an important role in helping students understand our world.
St. Mary's faculty are currently developing the curriculum for each of these trips and we hope students can take advantage of the unique opportunities the Mod Abroad class offers.
*Mod Abroad is available to high schoolers. Additional fees are required for international travel.
For the 2023-2024 school year, St. Mary's is offering Mod Abroad: Scotland.
Discover a land of mountains, glens, and lochs; visit spectacular storied castles and ancient historical sites. Live Scotland's history and culture and discover fascinating myths and legends like the famous monster of Loch Ness, Nessie.
Explore the culturally rich cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Dundee, and Oban. You'll also visit Iona, one of the birthplaces of Christianity in the British Isles. All of these things beckon in the Mod Abroad Scotland class.
The course begins in the St. Mary's classroom, where we explore the history and culture of Scotland and learn more about the rich heritage shared between Scotland and the USA. We will learn about the literature, languages, religions, music, folk traditions (we will have a Ceilidh), and customs of a proud nation. We will look at the origins and impact of the Scottish Enlightenment on the modern world and other famous Scots and their influence in today's world. We will learn too about modern Scotland with its growing Space Industry, Digital and Technology Services, and leadership in video gaming innovation. And then we will spend ten days in Scotland!
The class will embody the spirit of Senate Resolution 155, passed on March 20, 1998. The resolution designated April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day" to recognize Scottish Americans' outstanding achievements and contributions to the United States. The resolution honors the central role that Scottish Americans played in the founding of this Nation and commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent.
Students will travel through the Highlands to the Great Glen and Inverness, with the chance to journey on the Jacobite Steam Train made famous in Harry Potter.
Explore the culturally rich cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Dundee, and Oban. You'll also visit Iona, one of the birthplaces of Christianity in the British Isles. All of these things beckon in the Mod Abroad Scotland class.
The course begins in the St. Mary's classroom, where we explore the history and culture of Scotland and learn more about the rich heritage shared between Scotland and the USA. We will learn about the literature, languages, religions, music, folk traditions (we will have a Ceilidh), and customs of a proud nation. We will look at the origins and impact of the Scottish Enlightenment on the modern world and other famous Scots and their influence in today's world. We will learn too about modern Scotland with its growing Space Industry, Digital and Technology Services, and leadership in video gaming innovation. And then we will spend ten days in Scotland!
The class will embody the spirit of Senate Resolution 155, passed on March 20, 1998. The resolution designated April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day" to recognize Scottish Americans' outstanding achievements and contributions to the United States. The resolution honors the central role that Scottish Americans played in the founding of this Nation and commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent.
While the dates and years have yet to be determined, St. Mary's looks forward to offering the following Mod Abroad destinations:
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Mod Abroad: Japan
Yokosa! Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu! Welcome to Japan! There is no more fascinating and paradoxical country to visit than Japan. The mix of ultramodern and traditional are apparent everywhere you visit, from the visual feast of Tokyo and the hustle and bustle it embodies to the peaceful shrines and gardens of Kyoto and the ancient traditions and culture it represents. Jim Meyer, who lived and worked in Japan for several years, and the Hunters who have spent extensive time studying the literature, art history, and culture of Japan will lead the Mod Abroad classes and ten-day trip to Japan. Students have a packed itinerary and will be able to see a good chunk of the country by traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima on the bullet train and visiting a variety of cities, castles, and ancient sights along the way. And they'll get to eat some delicious food including sushi, sashimi, okinomiyaki, udon, ramen, yakitori, and many other Japanese delicacies. It's going to be an incredible trip! -
Mod Abroad: Iceland
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Mod Abroad: Greece
More information coming soon! -
Mod Abroad: Spain & Portugal
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim art and architecture, literature, religion, philosophy, history, and culture will intertwine as we spend the entire module learning about Spain. While the topics covered will be varied and wide-ranging, the central focus will be on “La Convivencia,” the period in Spanish history when the “peoples of the book” lived together in productive harmony under both Christian and Muslim rulers. The course will begin in the St. Mary’s classroom, but finish with 11 days in Spain where we will visit Madrid, Tolled, Granada, Cordoba, Ronda, and Seville. The travel component is required for credit and includes an additional fee. -
Mod Abroad: Tallinn, Riga Stockholm
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Mod Abroad: Cities of Indochina
Three countries, two religions, political and economic systems, and more will all come to light as we spend the entire module learning about Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand in preparation for a trip to all three. Given the expansive nature of the trip, the class will be dedicated to an equally broad range of topics. Two particular areas of focus will be on the major religions of the region (Buddhism and Hinduism) and the roles of communism and capitalism in the contemporary era. The travel component is required for credit and includes an additional fee. Students will earn a social studies credit, an English credit, and a general elective credit for this three-bin course.
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