We’re pleased to share this year’s graduating class: 25 incredible individuals spanning two cohorts, whose personalities are as unique as their TGS experiences. Yet for all of their wonderful differences, each is united in having left an indelible mark on their educators, our school’s culture, and, most importantly, each other.
The Class of 2020 got back to basics in Botswana, trading their cell phones and laptops for hands-on experiences with an array of incredible wildlife.
They embraced the unexpected in India and found serenity in Japan’s unique blend of modern and old.
Spain showed the staying power of Basque traditions while China showed a country hurtling towards the future.
Oman and Panama provided spectacular shorelines to explore maritime heritage and the art of surfing while Chile’s Patagonia region challenged our students in ways they’d never been challenged before.
Bosnia and Herzegovina exposed our CM1 students to the complexities of war alongside the beauty of one of Europe’s best-kept capital cities. Australia showed the value of maintaining culture over thousands of years alongside a glimpse into the future through a virtual reality-focused module.
Greece, the setting for so many incredible journeys, provided the perfect backdrop for both our cohorts to come together and bond.
So without further ado, we present to you the Class of 2020!
From: Morocco
Cohort: CM2
Countries Marwa called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “The reality is to be true to yourself and acknowledge your surroundings with respect and dignity.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The community, weXplores, and calendar invites.
From: New Zealand
Cohort: CM1
Countries Amelie called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "Life is too important to be taken seriously." -Oscar Wilde
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Built-in community and free food
From: Thailand
Cohort: CM1
Countries Napassakorn called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "Do whatever you want and don’t care about other’s judgment"
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Growth, adventure, and reflection
From: Kosovo
Cohort: CM1
Countries Hinda called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "You are something the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is something the whole ocean is doing."
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Community
From: Canada
Cohort: CM2
Countries Jack called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "It's all said and done now. I spent two years in a program that I only sort of believed was a reality when I heard about it. I am so grateful to everyone who has been a part of the experience that is too big to try and put in a quote, so I'll summarize it in four words; a really good time."
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The ability to hang out with everyone and have a great time, the level of connection with the staff, and stipend.
From: United States
Cohort: CM2
Countries Lillian called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." -Seneca
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The long chats in the hallways before bed checks, group cuddle sessions
From: Mexico
Cohort: CM2
Countries Maria called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "Life will make you own your vulnerability; just like a turtle finding the sea, you will run towards immensity by always following the music of what inspires you to grow. "
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Definitely the people, the previously made schedules, and... stipend.
From: Germany
Cohort: CM2
Countries Maria called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people--they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.”― Paulo Freire
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Trying out new food and restaurants, the community, how most things were organized for us and how much support we got.
From: United States and Philippines
Cohort: CM2
Countries Isabella called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman
Senior Quote: “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Rob Siltanen
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? A close-knit community, project-based learning
From: Poland
Cohort: CM1
Countries Julia called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “As long as you live, keep learning how to live" - Seneca
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Stipends and discovering new veggie restaurants, random deep conversations with people, lack of routine, and living an unpredictable life.
From: Germany and Italy
Cohort: CM2
Countries Giulia called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, and Oman
Senior Quote: "There is only one thing we say to death: Not today." - Syrio Forel
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Friends and advisory meetings.
From: United States and Ecuador
Cohort: CM2
Countries Scott called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "The only constant is change" -Heraclitus
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Independence, stipend, and the TGS family.
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Justin called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "Growth is the only true measure of one's character."
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Extreme emotions, staff, and the personal project budget.
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Ryleigh called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." -The Dalai Lama
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? People, people, people!
From: South Korea
Cohort: CM1
Countries Soeun called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "You have your brush, you have your colors, you paint the paradise, then in you go."
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Community members, traveling the world
From: Israel
Cohort: CM1
Countries Adi called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "And one day we will die
And our ashes will fly
From the aeroplane over the sea,
But for now, we are young
Let us lay in the sun
And count every beautiful thing we can see"
-Neutral Milk Hotel
From: Vietnam
Cohort: CM2
Countries Cam called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "Normality is a crowd-sourced fantasy." - Sean Lionadh
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? Adventurously Safe
From: Mexico and Spain
Cohort: CM1
Countries Paula called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. ” —John Lennon
From: United States
Cohort: CM2
Countries Chase called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: "No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile." - Mac Miller
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? The people, the community, and having Dan as a personal doctor.
From: South Africa
Cohort: CM1
Countries Jess called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere." - Ursula K. Le Guin
From: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cohort: CM1
Countries Varvara called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? Never feeling lonely, always being able to ask for help, and free open feedback
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Charlotte called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: "Don't forget the happy thoughts
All you need is happy thoughts
The past tense, past bedtime
Way back then when everything we read was real
And everything we said rhymed."
From: Vietnam
Cohort: CM2
Countries Thao called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote "I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I've lost." -Nan Goldin
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? People, Botswana, and Japan.
A passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.
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SubscribeA passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.