Harkness Travel: Trading Traditional Classrooms for Real-World Learning

Next spring break and summer, Lawrenceville students will trade traditional classrooms for real-world learning through the Harkness Travel Program, embarking on transformative journeys across the globe. Director of Experiential Learning John Hughes announced the spring and summer 2025 slate at this afternoon's all-School Meeting.

From marine exploration in the Bahamas to ancient history in Greece and environmental immersion in Iceland, next year’s programs offer students the chance to connect deeply with diverse cultures, environments, and academic disciplines.

2025 Spring Break

Bahamas: At the Island School, located in Eleuthera, Bahamas, students will explore and examine coral reefs, marine wildlife, mangroves, fisheries, sustainable aquaponics systems, and Caribbean geography to better understand life in this area through sustainable living principles. They will also earn SCUBA certification to experience coral ecosystems up close, and learn how to protect ocean ecosystems.

California: Students will set the stage for this service learning program in San Diego, exploring the implications of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. They will connect with Border Patrol agents, local residents, and organizations working to address community issues through grassroots projects such as migrant aid and communal kitchens.

Germany: On this STEM, engineering, and design-focused trip, students will gain a deeper understanding of physics, design, and engineering as they relate to engines, racecars, passenger cars, and aerospace travel. They will also explore German culture in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich.

Greece: Lawrentians will experience the history, explore the mythology, and reimagine the lives of the people of Ancient Greece. They will enliven the places and figures of classical antiquity by examining the surviving structures, artifacts, and texts in which their accounts survive, all the while immersing themselves in modern Greek culture and cuisine. They will visit Athens, Delphi, Epidaurus, and the Cyclades islands.

Morocco: This program offers students a unique opportunity for profound immersion and diversity in both community and landscape. Through targeted exposure to fascinating cultural and historical sites, students will experience diverse dimensions of contemporary Moroccan society, from bustling urban to tranquil rural.

Nepal: Travelers will explore Nepal as a rich tapestry of religious, cultural, and ecological diversity, where ancient traditions intersect with the pressures of modernization. They will journey from Kathmandu to the Annapurna range in the breathtaking Himalayas and do a homestay with a Gurung family in Balamchaur.

New Zealand: Students will explore some of the most beautiful national parks by foot and paddle as they backpack and kayak in Te Tauihu (the Top of the South Island, New Zealand) to build leadership skills and competencies, while broadening perspectives and understanding of te taiao (the environment) from both a Western and indigenous lens.

Summer 2025 

China: Students will visit the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai, the heart of Sichuan culture in Chengdu, and the historic capital of Beijing. Along the way, they will explore China’s rich history, its cutting-edge innovations, and its enduring cultural traditions, all while engaging with local students and communities to foster a deep understanding of global citizenship. This program is done in partnership with the China-United States Exchange Program.

Iceland: On the front lines of climate change, students will explore the natural beauty of the remote country while they consider how today’s citizens adapt to the changing climate, what is being done to slow the change, and what can be done to promote a sustainable future.

Japan: The Keio School, just outside of Tokyo, in a two-decade relationship with Lawrenceville, offers students from both schools the opportunity to study at each other’s institutions. During each two week stay, participants attend select classes, clubs, and sports in order to fully explore the student experience abroad. Students will stay with the same Keio students who will visit Lawrenceville in February and will attend the Japanese school for two weeks in June.

Mexico: In Mérida, Mexico, Lawrentians will experience ancient history and the modern day. They will immerse themselves in local culture, visit Mayan cities, and engage in meaningful service work to support sustainable development initiatives.

Peru: Lawrentians will travel from the Sacred Valley of the Incas tucked in the towering Andes Mountains to the depths of the Madre de Dios basin in the Amazon Rainforest. Here they will examine how globalization has degraded traditional agro-ecological practices, biodiversity, as well as traditional lifeways, and learn how indigenous cultures are responding and adapting to these threats.

School Year Abroad (SYA): This cultural immersion and language program allows students the opportunity to study in Europe for a five-week summer (or for an entire academic year) program. As a member school in the SYA consortium, Lawrenceville students receive preferential admission to SYA's schools.

Harkness Travel is a unique program aimed at pushing Lawrenceville students to explore and apply their education in real-world settings. The program's foundation is built upon four pillars: self-awareness, leadership, global citizenship, and academic engagement through hands-on experience. Every trip aligns with an academic discipline or co-curricular activity, ensuring that students have meaningful and integrated experiences abroad. The intention of Lawrenceville's travel program is not to lead students through a place and tell them what to know; it is to empower them to make sense of the experience for themselves by turning the world into another Lawrenceville classroom. Lawrenceville seeks to make Harkness Travel Program trips available to all students, so funding may be available to help cover costs.

Lawrenceville teachers submit proposals for each program they wish to lead, which Hughes reviews to make sure there is variety in both geography and academic discipline. Now that the programs have been announced to the student body, Lawrentians are encouraged to submit applications (and teacher recommendations), ranking their top three trips. “We’re looking for thoughtful travelers,” Hughes explained “We want to know what they hope to gain from the trip.”

Once the rosters are finalized, groups will have several preparatory meetings. They review everything from itinerary to cultural expectations, packing lists to risk management, and any special skills that might be needed on the journey. "If we’re doing an outdoor programs trip, I want you to know how to set up your tent before you have to set up your tent,” Hughes said.

While each trip is different, Hughes said the hoped-for outcomes are the same. “We hope that you are more engaged at school, at home, and in your community. We hope that you have gained perspective and global citizenship and leadership.”

The Harkness Travel Program extends the Lawrenceville mission beyond traditional classrooms, fostering not only academic growth but also a deeper awareness of global issues and cultural diversity. Through these immersive experiences, students are equipped with the leadership skills and global perspective needed to effect meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Enjoy more Harkness Travel Program photos on Lawrenceville's Flickr page. 

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.