Elephant tracking in Botswana, temple explorations in India, and market tours in Mexico are just some of the activities students might experience during the 2025-26 school year.
Botswana
Summer Term
Spot hippos and solve hypotheses amid unspoiled African scenery
Diamond-rich and conservation-friendly, Botswana has devoted over forty percent of its land to national parks, wildlife reserves, and nature preserves. During their time in-country, students have ample opportunities to engage in some truly unique project-based learning across all three.
Our Botswana term takes place in one of Africa’s last significant wildlife habitats, the Okavango Delta, where students track the density and movement of hippos, giraffes, elephants, lions, and rhinos, amongst other majestic beasts.
Local conservation experts demonstrate how to recognize animal tracks, sight predominant species, and identify vegetation in Northern Botswana, with the collected data submitted to a long-term conservation study sponsored by the government of Botswana.
During the term, students also discover the importance of storytelling customs in Botswana and apply the techniques to construct their own stories. It’s a one-of-a-kind term in Africa’s best-kept secret.
Julia Gwiozdzik’20
ON HER BOTSWANA TERM
“Botswana, the first country I visited with the school, introduced me to a new way of living — one I would never have imagined I’d like when I was back in my own cozy room in Poland.
Everything was new during that month, from the language I was speaking to the people I was living with. No matter how cheesy it sounds, we all cherished the little moments: standing in a circle around the fire, admiring the way the sky looks away from the city lights, watching sunsets and not caring about anything other than the mix of colors that was right before our eyes.”
How can students create and deliver a story in the oral tradition which reflects the changing social/cultural, environmental or political dynamics of Botswana?
Ancient temples by day. Contemporary museums by night.
Much like the spicy peppers that seemingly find their way into every dish, Mexico packs an experience that lights up the senses. Brilliantly colored handcrafts and awe-inspiring churches provide a feast for the eyes; Regional folk styles, such as mariachi and ranchera, have been lifting spirits for hundreds of years. There’s so much to take in, but Mexican society dictates that you take your time and have fun in doing so.
Projects here will likely focus on gaining an understanding of the culture that the Mexican peoples are rightly so proud of. One project might explore Mesoamerican legacies by having students engage with local storytellers. Another project might use Mexico’s exceptional art scene as inspiration for their own creations, complete with visits to local workshops and museums. Mexico’s vast and varied landscapes will offer innumerable options for getaways as well, providing a chance to get out of the ciudad from time to time.
Whatever happens this term, you can be sure Mexico’s spirit of spontaneity will mark it, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Planned Projects
How can students use their understanding of architecture through time to design a context-informed structure?
How might students create harmony between human activities and biodiversity in Oaxaca, Mexico?
How can students convey the intersection of local arts and Oaxaca’s economy through documentary filmmaking?
India
Winter Term
Leave your perceptions at the temple door
India is a country known for its innumerable deities, mouth-searing dishes, elaborate weddings, and multicolored sarees. Once you venture past these cliches, however, you realize that few places offer as many bold and unique experiences to the travelers willing to seek them out.
In previous terms, we’ve called the cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai home, but moving forward students might find themselves conducting projects on Goa’s golden beaches. All of that will be determined in the near future, with our students’ best interests in mind.
Regardless of our host city, India promises plenty of opportunities to get out and explore, and in past terms students have learned about water potability by analyzing samples from the sacred River Ganges, observed extreme poverty during a tour of the Dharavi megaslum, interviewed survivors of the Bhopal industrial disaster, and picked tea during lessons on entrepreneurship in Kerala.
Projects during our India term are wide-ranging and community focused. In recent terms, students have gained an understanding of the sustainability issues linked to population distribution and density by exploring urban city planning in Mumbai, examined how mathematical thought processes have evolved from different ancient cultures, and helped local Warli artists make the transition to the online marketplace as opportunities in their rural villages dwindle.
Past Projects
Adapting Indian e-commerce, business, and economic solutions to benefit a charitable or non-profit organization in students’ home countries
Examining India’s contributions to the field of mathematics and comparing/contrasting them with the mathematical developments of Western countries
Studying sustainability issues linked to population distribution and densities in the world by exploring how urban planning is achieved in India
Lily-Wai Edwards’19
ON VISITING THE HOLY CITY OF VARANASI
“To say that I toured the holiest city in the world alongside some of my best friends and visited the tree under which Buddha was enlightened was something I never thought I’d be able to do.”
Much like the olive oil that flows through every dish, Greece is rich with history, flavor, and warmth. Sun-bleached ruins tell stories of ancient philosophers and legendary gods, while the rhythmic sounds of bouzouki music drift through bustling tavernas. The scent of fresh oregano and grilled souvlaki regularly fills the air, inviting you to slow down and savor every moment, just as the Greeks do. Life here moves at its own pace, one that values conversation, tradition, and a deep connection to the past.
Projects in Greece might dive into its enduring legacy, whether by tracing the roots of democracy in Athens, studying sustainability efforts on the islands, or exploring mythology through the lens of art and storytelling. One project might see students sailing between the Aegean islands, learning how maritime trade shaped civilizations. Another might take them deep into the mountains of Meteora, where monks built monasteries in defiance of gravity itself. And with landscapes that range from rugged peaks to crystal-clear waters, there’s always an adventure waiting just beyond the horizon.
Whatever unfolds this term, Greece’s timeless spirit always leaves its mark on our students, reminding them that learning isn’t just about knowledge: it’s about experience, connection, and discovery.
Learn more about the 2015 TGS Odyssey
Past Project Driving Questions
How do we document and preserve the past using mathematics and maps?
How can we apply ancient Greek philosophy concepts to assess and shape our personal ethical framework as we navigate the complexities of birth, growth, and mortality?
How might crisis drive humans towards a more harmonious relationship with nature?
How can I best explore the ever-changing context and relevance of Greek mythology and then express this through poetry/literature?
Ready to embark on the educational journey of a lifetime?
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.
Ready to embark on the educational journey of a lifetime?
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.
