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.

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.

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.
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

Center for International Studies News

  • The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) recently named FWCD’s French program as an Exemplary Program with Honors for three years (2021-24).

    FWCD French Program Earns Exemplary Program with Honors Accolade

    The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) recently named FWCD’s French program as an Exemplary Program with Honors for three years (2021-24). The reviewing committee members were impressed by the School’s excellent program, the activities that engage students, and FWCD’s plans for the future. 
     
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  • FWCD’s Center for International Studies (CIS) is hosting Zoom meetings for upcoming 2022 travel opportunities through the School and Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder.

    2022 Trips through FWCD's CIS

    FWCD’s Center for International Studies (CIS) is hosting Zoom meetings for upcoming 2022 travel opportunities through the School and Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Students in grades 8-12 are eligible to participate. View the Spark Adobe presentation for more details on all four of the trips, as well as information on FWCD Partner Programs with Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder and Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
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  • Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder

    Register for a Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Course

    Registration is open for Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder courses. Locations and information can be found in the flyer and on the Center for International Studies page. Visit shouldertoshoulder.com to apply today. For more information, contact Stephen Blan, Director of the Center for International Studies. 
    Read More

Travel Programs and Opportunities

FWCD Programs

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2022

List of 4 items.

  • Ecuador and the Galápagos

    For students who have completed grades 7-9
    Date: May 30 - June 7, 2022
    Grades: Completed grades 7-9
    Cost:     Approximately $4,500
    Learn More

  • France

    Tailored for our Falcons and led by madame Andréanne Annis and Mr. Quinton Davis, this three week trip to France and Switzerland appeals to all Upper Schoolers. This trip will give its travelers an interdisciplinary credit from FWCD as the teachers will maximize the opportunity to observe and study French historical monuments and sites, while advancing FWCD's global citizenship competency. This History intensive and Language Immersion will take its travelers to Nice, Annecy, Chamonix, Genève and Paris. Falcons will take French classes, at their level at the Institut Français Alpes with other traveling international students. Participants will reside with an approved host family for 13 nights in Annecy and 7 nights in hotels while discovering Southern France and Paris. This amazing opportunity gives our Falcons 21 days learning, growing and developing through fun and exploration. 

    Dates: Wednesday June 1st – Wednesday June 22nd 2022
    Cost: Approximately $4995
    Grades: Upper School students
    Learn more | View photos

  • Iceland

    Upper School Students are invited to join this trip to Iceland. This study abroad course is presented through the American Council for International Studies, led by Dr. Heather Peace. On the trip, we will study topics including the geothermal environment of Iceland, its people, its geologic foundations, and global change.

    Dates: Mid-June 2022
    Grades: Upper School Students
    Cost: $4,781
    Learn More | View photos and videos

  • Panama

    FWCD Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Service Learning and Ethical Leadership Custom Course for Upper School students
    Service hours credit offered; 7 days

    Dates: Spring Break, March, 2022
    Grades: Upper School students
    Cost:     $3,350 - $3,600
    Learn More

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 nine different locations as they seek to improve conditions in their communities.

Global Coalition of Schools

FWCD is one of 14 schools in North America in the Shoulder to Shoulder Global Coalition of Schools.

Program Locations

  1. Costa Rica
  2. Kenya
  3. Panama
  4. Peru
  5. Boulder, Colorado
  6. Dallas, Texas
  7. Detroit, Michigan
  8. New Orleans, Louisiana
  9. San Diego, California
Learn more  | Download flyer | Deadlines and COVID Protocols
When the world opens to travel, Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder is ready. Apply to any of our 9 field studies in ethical leadership. With a short application, we will hold your spot and keep you updated on the status of programs this summer. All our programs allow you to learn the principles of ethical leadership from inspiring nonprofit leaders while discovering the complexity of global challenges.

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 the Fort Worth Sister Cities Program.
Spring Break Opportunities
1. Budapest, Hungary - $2500
2. Reggio Emilia, Italy - $2500
3. Nî​mes, France - $2500
4. Toluca, Mexico - $1700

Cultural Exchanges
1. Nagaoka, Japan - $2700
2. Nagaoka, Japan - $350 (Harashin Scholar Program)
3. Guiyang, China - $3800


Travel Shifts Perspectives

“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.”
-MS Parent
“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.”
-US Parent
“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.”
-US Parent

Partnership Programs

Meet the Director

“A global perspective is not developed in one class, one department or division. It takes a JK-12 commitment. The center seeks to develop our students’ capacity to thrive in an ever-changing global community. We plan to do this through assisting teachers in weaving global perspectives into their curriculum and providing students with meaningful travel and hosting exchange opportunities.” 

Stephen Blan, 
Director of the Center for International Studies
817.302.3272
4200 Country Day Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Phone: 817.732.7718
Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD) is a JK-12 private, independent, coeducational, nondenominational college-preparatory school located on approximately 100 acres in Fort Worth, Texas. The mission of Fort Worth Country Day School is to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional, and ethical development of capable students through an academically rigorous college preparatory program that integrates the arts and athletics.