From the Transformative Experience in the Dominican Republic to What’s Next in Global Learning
May 14, 2026
💺Fasten your seat belts and get ready for some incredible international experiences next school year! Japan, Iceland, and Guatemala await. 🌎✈️
Recently unveiled to Wheeler Upper School families, the 2027 Global Experiences invite students into three distinct journeys of connection, exploration, and learning beyond the classroom.
On the Japan trip, students will move between the bright energy of Tokyo, the traditions of Kyoto, and the vibrant streets of Osaka, all while building relationships with locals and enjoying the artistry that’s woven into daily life there.
In Iceland, they’ll explore a landscape shaped by fire and ice, standing (cautiously, of course) near erupting geysers, and walking alongside glaciers and waterfalls. Students will experience environmental science firsthand, getting to feel and understand it in a whole new way.
In Antigua, Guatemala, students will become part of a community. Working alongside local partner schools, they’ll help build classrooms and learn side-by-side with Guatemalan peers. Through shared work and conversation, they’ll begin to understand the complexities of culture, identity, and equity, while also experiencing the richness of Mayan traditions and the natural beauty of Lake Atitlán.
“These experiences build on what our Upper School students have already begun doing while at Wheeler,” shares Global Experiences Director Amy Bonnici P’26, P’28. “These trips reflect our emphasis on building meaningful relationships to gain a deeper understanding of the world.”
On previous Global Experiences, students and faculty have traveled to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Utah, the Galápagos Islands, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Ghana, along with earlier trips to Iceland and Japan. No matter the location, each journey has been grounded in preparation, reflection, and connection. “These are not merely tourist experiences,” says Ms. Bonnici. “Building global competence is our main goal, with a strong focus on building cultural empathy.”
That purpose was evident most recently in the Dominican Republic, where students traveled over Spring Break with faculty chaperones Abraham Henderson P’30 and Lynne Bell ’83, P’19 and spent their days in close partnership with local communities.
Working with Caritas Smiles, a Dominican Republic–based service organization focused on community engagement and education, students participated in hands-on projects.
“The mission of Caritas Smiles is simple: take a trip, change a life…and it’s exactly that,” shared Mr. Henderson. “You’re asking, what can you give, and discovering what you receive in return. It’s a reciprocal experience.”
That reciprocity came to life across the island, from time spent in local schools to environmental service along the coast. “We worked with students to learn about protecting the beaches and wildlife, then went together to clean the coastline and plant trees along the shore,” said Mr. Henderson. “It wasn’t just about teaching. It was about learning and doing that work side by side.”
The reciprocity also came to life in moments of connection on the baseball field. “Baseball is everything in the Dominican Republic,” he noted. “We brought equipment, but what our students received in return was something you can’t purchase…the joy, the love of the game, and the understanding that you don’t need much to experience it.”
For Ms. Bell, the experience was “gratifying, satisfying, humbling, and transformative… just seeing the kids smile while we made bracelets and necklaces with them. “The students were so appreciative, kind, and filled with joy and love for us.”
“We did so many amazing things, but what was most important to me was my own cultural connection to that place,” reflected Manny S. ’28, whose family is from nearby Puerto Rico. “Getting to speak Spanish, connect with people, eat their foods, and feel closer to my culture than ever before…it was so powerful.”
Others found connection in shared experiences, even across differences. “The most memorable part of the trip for me was working with the baseball kids,” added student Claire E. ’28. “Even with a language barrier, getting to meet them and learning to communicate was such a powerful experience.”
“Moments like these reflect what defines Global Experiences at Wheeler,” notes Ms. Bonnici. “It’s not just where students go, but how they show up and connect when they get there, and the beauty of bringing that transformative knowledge back home.”
