Join Exeter,
Join Exeter,
see the world
Global Initiatives’ summer trips expand perspectives to new time zones, cultures.
Our pastoral slice of New Hampshire is a wonderful setting for learning, but life can get a bit cozy in our Exeter bubble. That’s when our Global Initiatives office gets busy. This summer, 73 students are broadening their perspectives with experiential learning trips run through Global Initiatives.
From Greece to Ghana, Iceland to Germany, coastal Maine to Yellowstone, Exonians are digging (in some cases, literally) into new discoveries and expanding their horizons while exploring culture, food, ecosystems, history and more.
Berlin: A city of culture, politics, media and science
The German capital of nearly 4 million people has become an entrepreneurial hub, and its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations and convention venues.
The Berlin program focuses primarily on economics and business, but also explores how these disciplines connect to history, urban studies and culture. During the stay, students live and take classes at CIEE Berlin Global Institute. A former factory, it was recently renovated and boasts beautiful living spaces and state-of-the-art classrooms. In the morning, students have interactive class sessions with CIEE instructors, routinely featuring guest speakers; afternoons are be focused on experiential learning activities in various fields in the downtown neighborhoods of Berlin.
“The classes with Dr. Feldman were incredibly engaging, and I especially enjoyed the way she was able to weave together economic principles with real startup case studies as well as having us apply them to create practical solutions for different problems.” — Sofie ’27
“The Berlin program was one of the most memorable and rewarding opportunities I’ve had through Exeter. I really enjoyed all the classes. My favorite part was the final project, where we developed our own startup ideas. I learned a lot about identifying a specific ideal customer profile and thinking about how a business creates value. My group’s project focused on making a Berlin travel app, and Dr. Feldman’s feedback was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process. She was an amazing teacher and made the class both engaging and practical.” — Claire ’28
Ghana: A story of despair and resilience
From the bustling capital of Accra to the UNESCO World Heritage slave castles, students are fully immersed in the West Africa republic. Central to the trip is exploration of Ghana’s history in the transatlantic slave trade. The country’s coastal regions were critical to the industry, and the Portuguese, Dutch and British established forts and trading posts to facilitate the capture and shipment of Africans to the Americas. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, built in 1492 and 1555, respectively, stand as visible reminders of this dark chapter in world history and as beacons of education, truth telling and resilience.
“My time in Ghana carried deep emotional lessons that never would have reached me on campus. Seeing the completely different yet equally fulfilling way people live their lives across the Atlantic showed me that there is no one correct way to live. Even as someone with West African parents, I found Ghana’s unique culture — centered on pride and loving community — surprising and inspiring.” — Myles ’27
“Visiting the two slave dungeons in Cape Coast and Elmina were some of the most memorable and transformative experiences of my life. Our tour guide in Cape Coast led us into the dungeon rooms and turned off the light. We stood there in the darkness people endured centuries ago, still able to smell the death that lingered for all that time.” — Katherine Luo ’27
“Though we had spent much of the Precolonial Africa class discussing the atrocities of slavery, smelling the scents that lingered in the dungeons and walking through the Doors of No Return nearly brought me to tears. I remember walking out of the dungeons and back outside, blinded by the bright white walls and flooring surrounding the patio. I had only been inside the dungeons for fifteen minutes, and I could barely open my eyes; the tour guide reminded us that enslaved Africans were held in pitch-black dungeons for months at a time. Experiencing devastating sights, such as the slave dungeons, has instilled a greater resolve in me to continue educating people on the horrors of slavery and to keep fighting for justice.” — Gavin ’28
Iceland: Land of fire and ice
It is no coincidence that Jules Verne used Iceland as a gateway to the Earth’s core in his novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth.” In Iceland, you can experience one of the most visibly geological active places in the world, a country that not only inspires imagination but also provides an active showcase on earth formation, access to unique geological areas and use of indigenous renewable energy resources.
Students explore the unique and vibrant geology of Iceland and witness the regional impact of climate change, environmental challenges and sustainability measures. With the oldest continuously running parliament in the world (established in 930AD) and the highest percentage of renewable energy use of any country in the world (86%), you can learn a lot more than geology in this tiny island state in the middle of the North-Atlantic Ocean.
“Experiencing the natural wonders of Iceland reignited my hope for our planet’s future. Whether it was in beautiful hidden waterfalls and ocean views our guide affectionately nicknamed ‘Narnia,’ the renewable geothermal power plant that provides enough power for almost the entire population, or the kind and accepting culture of the island, it was clear that Iceland is an oasis in this fast paced and uncertain world. It also reinvigorated my sense of urgency as it relates to the climate crisis. Walking on the glacier I could see the vastness of its retreat, which was really quite shocking. Amidst all this deep thought and introspection, I was lucky to be with a great group of friends and teachers who gave the trip a great mix of lighthearted fun and real education. This trip was among the most memorable and inspiring 10 days of my life.” — Griffin ’27
“Spending every minute of the trip with my classmates was a special experience. A lot of us were basically strangers or mere acquaintances prior to the trip. We had bonded a little through pre-trip information sessions and our dinner with the Icelandic author and assembly speaker Andri Snær Magnason, but ultimately we all grew close throughout the duration of the trip. Every day was filled with fun conversations on the bus, thoughtful discussions on what we learned, and deeper heart-to-hearts at night. I have always described Harkness classes as transformative and unique in terms of how we bond with our peers and our instructors throughout the term. This trip, however, took that standard to a completely different level. … I now have 11 peers and two teachers I will always say hello to and stop for a chat with on the paths, and I am so glad to have built those meaningful connections. — Audrey ’28
Greece: Flashpoint of the refugee crisis
Known best for its ancient history, its countless islands, its mountainous terrain and its wondrous beaches, Greece transformed into a tourist destination in the 20th century. More recently, it has also become a flashpoint for an ongoing refugee crisis.
Through Exeter’s partnership with World Leadership School, students learn about with various non-profit organizations in Athens working on the crisis, which started in 2015 during the Syrian War. As a primary entry point to Europe for many fleeing conflict and other crises in the Middle East and Africa, Greece has struggled to accommodate the influx of millions of refugees and asylum seekers. Greece’s response to the refugee crisis continues to evolve alongside attitudes of neighbors like Turkey and the European Union. During this program, participants will learn from and work with these NGOs to better understand the worldwide refugee crisis, and the varied responses to it.
“Hearing about the countless stories of war, famine and domestic violence while interacting with refugee families and children — many of whom looked exactly like people I’d grown up around back in America — was humbling in a way I didn’t expect. Their resilience and hope have stayed with me long after we left. From learning about these atrocities in the classroom and in the news to interacting with these stories in person, these experiences have instilled in me a perspective I don’t think I could have gained anywhere but in that room, face to face with their stories. Moving forward, I’m empowered to carry their stories forward, both to educate others and to contribute to more tangible initiatives that support people facing similar struggles.” — Derek ’27
“My biggest takeaway from the trip is that everyone in the world is facing such imminent and immense problems, but we truly should be facing them together. I now feel better equipped to help the world in real ways thanks to what I learned in Greece.” — Jules ‘28
