Tradition and modernity combine for a timeless experience
Whereas India is a country undergoing significant change, Japan can always be counted on to stay much the same. One thing is for sure, however: almost every THINK Global School student who visits Japan lists the term among their favorite.
Our time in Japan is centered around the bustling host city of Hiroshima. And while its name evokes images of tragedy and loss for most, visitors are quickly won over by the city’s resilience and commitment to peace. Beautiful gardens, pristine temples, and a top-notch shopping center are all easily accessed by foot, bike, or tram, and the incredible Miyajima Island is just a short boat ride away.
Alongside hearing from survivors of the atom bomb, practicing kendo, learning to kodō drum, and consuming absurd amounts of sushi, students have the opportunity to participate in some truly fascinating projects during their time in Japan. These projects include a deep dive into how the Japanese approach marketing, using augmented and virtual reality to create a lesson for students worldwide, and examining the issue of nuclear energy usage in Japan by meeting with a variety of stakeholders.
Japan’s rail system also makes traveling the country a breeze. In the past, our staff and students have taken advantage of this by embarking on week-long learning excursions to Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka. You can expect a similar outing to one of these cultural treasure troves to be planned this year as well.
Hinda Ina Bicaj’20
ON THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM MODULE
“The Conscious Consumerism module was wild. It was a chance to embark on some very non-vegetarian tours in Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, run errands for locally produced products, and cook with traditional sushi chefs. We learned a lot about the battle between an economy dependent on fish consumption and the growing environmental risk, all while eating delicious egg rolls.”
Thinking about the marketing of ideas in a digital age by studying marketing principles and targeting a unique Hiroshima product to a local or international audience
Investigating and producing a national energy plan for Japan by investigating the perspectives of different stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, the government, and regular citizens
Creating a project for learners across the world that leverages one of the social sciences and the technologies of virtual and augmented reality
A Hiroshima Story for the World
On the 6th of August 1945, a bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, killing hundreds of thousands of people. During their 2019 term, CM2 students Levith A. and Julie G. filmed the short film A Hiroshima Story for the World, which shares the story of Soh Horie, a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor). Mr. Horie has fought throughout his entire life to promote his message of world peace, and its importance.
The THINK Global School Leadership Team is delighted to announce the July 2022 launch of the THINK Learning Studio, a global innovation, consulting, and professional training center focused on interdisciplinary real-world learning. The launch of this initiative is a statement from both the Board and Leadership Team of TGS's commitment to spreading the methodology of the Changemakers® Program and our continued faith in the project-based learning format. The Studio team hopes...
Hi Amethyst, tell us a bit about yourself. I am a passionate educator with three years of experience, and I’ve just finished my first year with TGS. I specialize in the humanities, particularly history and writing. Before joining TGS, I completed a Master's degree where I researched contextual learning and focused on adolescent psychology during my undergraduate education. Outside of the educational space, I enjoy music, dancing, yoga, card games,...
Where and how do you learn? How do you develop a passion for curiosity? How do you keep your mind open to new people, ideas, and possibilities? These are all questions being faced by educators and students as our world gains a more global context. For a rare few who are lucky enough to have talented and equally curious teachers, this might happen in the confines of the classroom. But...
Hi Shasta, tell us a bit about yourself. Hi, my name is Shasta Gray, and this is my first year teaching at THINK Global School. I received my master's in teaching from the University of Alaska and have been teaching since 2012. I consider Alaska home, but I spent three years living and teaching in Thailand before joining TGS. I've always had an affinity for the great outdoors, and love...
Hi Andy, tell us a bit about yourself. I grew up in the beautiful industrial city of Birmingham, and after a career in mental health work and various bits and bobs, I qualified to become a teacher. After a few years in the UK, I moved to the British Virgin Islands (which many viewed as an improvement even on Birmingham!) and from there on to Switzerland, my first stint at...
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With the first term of the 2021-22 school year officially in the books, we asked our CM1 students to share their thoughts regarding their time in Botswana. You can find their reflections below and a comprehensive overview of our Botswana term here. Rite of Passage "So many things happened here in Botswana, and so many more things were learned from the people and the places around us. Personally, I was...
1. Hi Maxim. It's been two years now since you graduated from THINK Global School. What have you been up to in that time? Since graduating from TGS, I have been attending the University of Toronto studying mineral (mining) engineering. I know you might be asking why, out of all engineering, I chose mineral engineering? It's because I want to throw myself into the space mining industry. I figured it...
Another school year is coming to a close at THINK Global School, which means graduation is right around the corner for the Class of 2021. And while their academic experience was different than previous classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our graduates continually demonstrated the characteristics we value so much as a community: perseverance, continual improvement, a thirst for knowledge, and the practicing of environmentalism, to name a...
Tattooing is the most misunderstood art form in Japan today. Looked down upon for centuries and rarely discussed in social circles, people with tattoos are outcasts in this country, banned from most public spaces such as beaches, bathhouses, and even gyms. Tattoos have an extensive history in Japan, and to truly understand the stigma behind them it is essential to be aware of their significance. The first records of tattoos...
With THINK Global School’s term in Bosnia and Herzegovina recently concluded, we thought we’d share a few interesting facts about the heart-shaped country with you. Whether you are working on a school project or planning a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina yourself, we hope you find these seven facts useful!! Fact #1) Sarajevo was the first city in Europe with a full-time electric tram Trams have a long history in...
Greetings TGS, Long time reader, first time blogger here. Some of you may have noticed that I can be a little patriotic... My friends in Abu Dhabi used to joke that New Zealand has "small country" syndrome because it is always determined to be the best. I think like the Canadians, we are determined not to be seen as the same as our more populated neighbours. With that in mind...
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.