Hania Raza '24: Global Studies Starts Again

The global studies program is a program for students who would like to learn more about international affairs or pursue a career in it, and it gives more opportunities to students after they graduate as well as while they are in school. It has been at North Cross School since 2012. Students may join this program when they are in ninth or tenth grade. Throughout high school, students in this program go to seminars, travel around the world, and do other activities in order to gain a certain amount of points. They also have to attend some classes, including Introduction to Global Studies and a language of their choice. They can gain points from being in these classes as well. A certain number of points is required by the end of high school in order to get a Global Studies Distinction. 
Ryan DeMarco, the faculty advisor of this program, said that one of the main advantages of it is that students get a better understanding of global studies. “It allows students to gain a global education and worldview,” DeMarco said, “as well as adds distinction to their college applications.”
Some students who have graduated with this distinction have gone onto prestigious colleges. “Many will go onto prestigious universities and Honors programs at those schools such as Echols School at UVA,” Demarco said. “Another student went to school in Paris as part of their university experience.”
    In this program, students have many opportunities to travel and are encouraged to do so. “Our students go on fantastic trips abroad,” DeMarco said, “as well as to Model United Nations at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard.”
    Allison Hammond ‘21, a student who has been in this program for four years, said that one of the best parts of highschool for her was that she was able to meet people from around the world. “One of my favorite experiences in the program was when I traveled to Boston for Harvard Model United Nations,” said Hammond. “Immersing myself in the various seminar topics and meeting new people from all around the globe was definitely a highlight of my time in the upper school.”
    This program has changed in the past year due to COVID, but students are still able to do some of the same activities virtually. “This year is different. Due to travel restrictions and just general COVID restrictions, we haven’t been able to travel, experience festivals, visit museums, or listen to seminars in person,” said Hammond. “However, there have been a multitude of virtual activities to take advantage of, such as virtual seminars and museums.”

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