Center for International Studies
Fort Worth Country Day is committed to preparing young people to make a difference in a complex and changing world.
We strive to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to understand and act responsibly and creatively to resolve local and global issues. While many schools simply offer their students opportunities to travel, FWCD seeks to cultivate global competence in all JK-12 students by weaving global perspectives into the curriculum, working with local partners to contribute to our Fort Worth community, and providing meaningful international travel and hosting exchanges.
While language immersion is at the top of my list, I also feel that the experience of traveling and seeing different cultures, different life perspectives is critical for raising a global citizen able to communicate with all people and to destroy stereotypes.
-Upper School Parent
Our Mission
The mission of the FWCD Center for International Studies is to provide programs and experiences that build students’ capacity to thrive in an ever-changing global community.
Center initiatives include overseas summer expeditions, exchange opportunities and cultural programs meant to ensure that all FWCD graduates gain an understanding of the following global competencies:
- Experience in and ability to investigate the world beyond their immediate environment.
- Ability to recognize and appreciate perspectives other than their own.
- Ability to engage in open, appropriate, and effective interactions across cultures.
- Ability to take action for collective well-being and sustainable development.
The Center at a Glance
- Summer Travel Opportunities to Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.
- Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Program: One of 14 schools in the prestigious service learning program. FWCD students and teachers have volunteered in Detroit, New Orleans, Pine Ridge Reservation, Panama, Tibet and Cambodia.
- Fort Worth Sister Cities International Youth Exchange Program: International youth trips and exchanges intended to develop deeper cross-cultural mindsets and understanding.
- Short-term hosting opportunities in collaboration with Fort Worth Sister Cities Ambassador Middle School Program and Language & Friendship, Inc. FWCD has hosted students from Japan and France.
- Campus-Based Initiatives: World Heritage Day, Multiple Service Learning Activities, On-going Development of Global Competency Curriculum and Alumni Travel.
Travel Programs and Opportunities
Jump to: FWCD Programs | Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder | Sister Cities
Request Financial Assistance 2023-24
FWCD Programs
Metepec, Mexico (March 9-16, 2024)
Homestay with Sister School: CENCA
Visit our sister school and the beautiful city of Metepec and surrounding areas. This experience is a homestay with a family in Mexico with the opportunity to host an inbound guest.
Grades: 7-12
Estimated Cost: $1,000
Deposit Due: October 1, 2023
Contact: Chelsy Beninate ([email protected]) with questions and to express interest
France and Spain (May 28-June 7, 2024)
D-Day and Basque Beaches: Remembrance and Celebration
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the momentous D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, when American, British and Canadian troops bravely landed on the beaches of Normandy to begin the liberation of France, which led to the ending of World War II. We will be showing our respect to those who fought for freedom, visiting the beaches and learning how ‘Operation Overlord’ played out. In addition, we’ll discover the beautiful west of France: the magnificent Mont St. Michel Abbey, plus the charming cities of Nantes and UNESCO-listed Bordeaux. We’ll also learn about Basque culture in the chic coastal resorts of Biarritz and San Sebastián before ending our voyage in Spain’s vibrant capital, Madrid. This is an ideal trip for French and Spanish students (Latin students welcome, too!) who will enjoy numerous opportunities to practice what they have learned in the classroom while sampling the fabulous food found in France and Spain!
Grades: 7-8
Estimated Cost: $6,000
Deposit: June 1, 2023
Minimum of 12 travelers
Contact: Rob Napier (rob.napier@fwcd.com) with questions and to express interest
Iceland (June 3-18, 2024)
Discovering STEM in ICELAND (.5 credit Topics in Science)
Are you curious about the world? Come learn about geology in the land of fire and ice! Students will spend one week (June 3-7, 2024) in the classroom at FWCD learning various topics in geology before flying to Iceland. The exploratory learning will continue as students examine the unique geological features of Iceland (June 13-18, 2024). The trip will include a visit to the bridge between continental plates, magnificent waterfalls, active geysers, a hike on top of a glacier, another hike inside a glacier, a geothermal power plant and a day at the Blue Lagoon Spa. We will end the trip by experiencing the culture of Reykjavik. The experiential learning will conclude with a research paper related to one of the topics covered in this class.
Grades: 9-11
Estimated Cost: $5,500
Deposit Deadline: June 1, 2023
Minimum of 15 travelers
Contact: Dr. Heather Peace ([email protected]) with questions and to express interest.
2024 Spring Break and Summer Opportunities with Fort Worth Sister Cities
Grades: 8-12
Since 1985, Fort Worth Sister Cities International has provided international youth trips and exchanges to help students develop deeper intercultural mindsets. Young minds are less constrained by ingrained patterns of thinking, and exposing them to different cultures at this age can help establish strong foundations for cultural competency and build the social trust crucial to creating a more peaceful world. Students selected:
- Participate in a U.S. Department of State-recognized program
- Meet city officials in both Fort Worth and the Sister City
- Volunteer on projects emphasizing global community service
- Share Texas culture and promote Fort Worth to the world
- Explore and gain an understanding of different cultures while making lifelong friendships
Visit fwsistercities.org for more information. 2024 opportunities will be available soon.
Spring Break and Summer Opportunities with Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Grades: 8-12
For students to become the next generation of ethical leaders, they need to engage their intellect, curiosity and sense of obligation to foster a foundation for ethics-based leadership.
For 14 years, Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder (StSS) has been partnering with nonprofit leaders—themselves role models of ethical leadership—to create transformative courses that allow students to fall in love with leading ethically while working and learning alongside local communities.
We believe that an StSS experience is critical in creating a worldview shaped by universal values of justice, responsibility and compassion. As one of only 16 partner schools, Fort Worth Country Day provides its students with access to a tuition discount, financial aid, and priority admissions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but programs are limited to 12 students and fill quickly.
Visit shouldertoshoulder.com. 2024 opportunities will be available soon.
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Ethical leadership development through experiential courses. Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder (SStS) courses offer unique opportunities to work alongside local NGOs in thirteen different locations as they seek to improve conditions in their communities.
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder recently announced its 2024 programs. All programs allow students in grades 8-12 to learn about ethical leadership while working alongside trusted partners and being immersed in the communities they serve. Community service hours are available for all programs. Fort Worth Country Day is an SStS partner school, which means students can access a tuition discount, financial aid and priority admissions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but programs are limited to 12 students and fill quickly. Apply today.
International experiences, whether cultural or academic, give students a look into the broad spectrum of the world and does not limit their learning to the United States.
-Upper School Parent
Global Coalition of Schools
FWCD is one of 13 schools in North America in the Shoulder to Shoulder Global Coalition of Schools.
2024 Program Locations
- Dartmouth, NH
- New Orleans, LA
- Puerto Rico
- San Diego, CA/Tijuana, Mexico
- Bolivia
- Costa Rica (Ecology)
- Costa Rica (Sea Turtles)
- Panama (Spring Break)
- Panama (Summer)
- Peru
- Kenya
- Nepal
Fort Worth Sister Cities - Cultural Exchange
Cultural immersion, Spring Break, and Summer trips for students in grades 8-12. Approximate costs range from $350 - $4000. Limited financial aid is available.
Learn more about: Fort Worth Sister Cities Program | Youth Exchanges
2024 Youth Exchanges
Apply by Oct. 20, 2023
| Dates* | Grades | Cost* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest, Hungary | March 9-17, 2024 | 9-12 | $2,750 |
| Nîmes, France | March 9-17, 2024 | 9-12 | $2,750 |
| Reggio Emilia, Italy | March 9-17, 2024 | 9-12 | $2,750 |
| Trier, Germany | June 5-14, 2024 | 9-12 | $2,750 |
| Bandung, Indonesia | May 31-June 10, 2024 | 9-12 | $4,600 |
| Nagaoka, Japan | June 19-28, 2024 | 8-12 | $3,350 |
| Nagaoka, Japan – Harashin | July 29-Aug. 5, 2024 | 9-11 | $375 |
| Guiyang, China | June 2025 | 8-11 | $4,600 |
*Dates and costs are approximate
We live in a global economy and it is imperative that FWCD students are prepared to work and live in this global society. We want our students to feel the freedom of travel and not be intimidated by the unknown. If our kids think the world is a small place, they will be much more likely to venture out into the world and do amazing things.
-Middle School Parent
Contact the Center for International Studies
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 817.732.7718, ext. 3589
