Beyond Borders: Educating Kids for a Global World

Last summer, a group of Sayre Upper School students slept in after a long flight the day before, awakening to their first full day of Japanese adventures.

Stepping out of their hotel, they strolled along the expansive lawns surrounding Tokyo’s Imperial Plaza, populated with 2,000 meticulously manicured Japanese black pine trees. Then the students ventured to Ueno Zoological Gardens, where they delighted at seeing the fluffy, furry baby pandas. 

Next up: a tour and fortune-telling at Asakusa Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple with a massive red lantern and five-story pagoda. The students capped off their day by learning the history of Sumo wrestling and shopping on Takeshita Street, known for trendy youth fashions and quirky stores. 

In an increasingly interconnected world, preparing students to be world citizens is more vital than ever. As part of our commitment to building character, we provide a global education that goes far beyond textbooks and traditional assignments. Through immersive travel experiences and in-depth studies, students learn about different cultures and become aware of their place in the world. 

Cultural awareness

Starting in the Lower School, we encourage students to explore the world around them. Through engaging project-based learning units, students discover the traditions, folklore, foods, dances, and music of other cultures. 

Fourth graders last year studied the world of Ancient Greece and its influence on Western civilization. They researched Greek democracy, architecture, and mathematics, and they learned to sing the Greek alphabet. The unit culminated with an Olympic-themed presentation in which each class performed their own Greek myth. 

International Night

As students enter Middle School, they expand their global perspectives through coursework and extracurriculars. While studying feudal Japan last year, students in Chris McGinley’s seventh-grade social studies class learned Japanese calligraphy (shodo) using traditional brush, ink, and paper, bringing the history and culture of this period to life. 

All Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in our annual International Night, sponsored by the Multicultural Middle Schoolers (M&M) club. Last winter, Sayre families provided food and drinks representing 12 different cultures, including mini churros from Spain, samosas from India, kebbeh from Lebanon, and empanadas from Puerto Rico. The event also featured games, face painting, and music and dance performances, giving students an opportunity to share their heritage and learn from their peers in a festive environment.

Global Studies Initiative

In the Upper School, our commitment to global education includes our Global Studies Initiative. The program encourages students to pursue their passions in world cultures and international relations, inspiring them to be responsive and engaged citizens in an interconnected society. 

Students who participate in the cohort may earn a Distinction in Global Studies on their diploma, requiring four consecutive years of world language or a designated proficiency level, along with three semesters of global studies or interdisciplinary electives.

The culminating event for our Global Studies students is a long-term project and presentation to their peers and the parent community. These projects are a testament to their deep engagement and critical thinking, showcasing students’ research, analysis, and understanding of complex global issues.

International class trips

Class trips are a time-honored tradition at Sayre, and international trips help broaden students’ horizons, deepening their understanding of different cultures. 

During their trip to Japan last summer, Upper School students immersed themselves in the country’s culture, from ancient traditions to contemporary life. Traveling from the bustling capital city of Tokyo to the tranquil coastal town of Atami, students explored natural wonders like Mount Fuji; engaged in hands-on learning such as Japanese paper-making; and tasted authentic foods like kuro-tamago, eggs cooked in the sulphur-rich hot springs of a volcanic valley. 

Local and family initiatives

Beyond school-sponsored trips, Sayre students and their families embrace the spirit of global citizenship through their own initiatives. 

Some Sayre families travel internationally, while others host exchange students, bringing the world directly into their homes and forging lifelong friendships. 

Community service plays a vital role as well, with students performing meaningful work with organizations like Kentucky Refugee Ministries, which welcomes immigrants and helps refugees resettle.

Combined, these experiences help our students become informed and engaged global citizens. By fostering cultural awareness from our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, we prepare them to thrive and make a positive impact in the world.