Global Education
Upper Arlington Schools is committed to ensuring that our students leave Upper Arlington prepared for life in this increasingly global society. Among other benefits, international travel has been shown to help students improve empathy for other life experiences, develop improved self-reliance and practice their problem-solving skills. The option of worldwide travel is one of many steps our district is taking to ensure our students remain on the cutting edge of 21st-century education.
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” —Maya Angelou
Through collaboration with EF Education First, International Field Studies and other partners, our students will have the opportunity to apply their classroom experiences to the real world on a global scale by traveling abroad with their teachers. Upper Arlington Schools is committed to providing teachers and their students with travel opportunities to the world’s most educational destinations, strengthened by the opportunity to earn high school or college credit based on their tour and grade level.
2027 Global Education Opportunities
Upper Arlington Schools is offering several international educational travel opportunities in 2027 for students who will be in grades 6 through 12 during the 2026-2027 school year. Through these experiences, students will have the opportunity to grow their knowledge and skills in areas such as global language, STEM, leadership, history and culture. By taking part in these experiences, students will be given the chance to step outside their comfort zone, experience a new culture, and see the world from a different perspective.
You can access the links below to learn more about the itineraries for each trip.
Journey Down Under (Australia & New Zealand) – June 2027 – led by Ms. Kim Brown & Dr. Leah Miller – open to current grades 8-10
- Parent meeting: Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. in the UAHS North Commons; register here: https://bit.ly/4jnYTaI
Middle School: Explore Greece – June 2027 – led by Mrs. Lauren Piunno & Mrs. Alice Speegle – Open to current grades 5-8
- Parent Meeting: Thursday, January 22 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pw57Yf
Iceland: Glaciers & Geysers – June 2027 – led by Mrs. Erica Meck & Mrs. Jennifer Brooks – Open to current grades 8-10
- Parent Meeting: TBA (Look for more information this spring!)
Looking ahead for other opportunities? Some experiences are offered annually, including: the Scottish exchange program, the Andros Science Field Experience, and the Global Leadership Summit. Other experiences may occur bi-annually, including the French exchange program. The destinations we travel to with our partner EF Education First vary, with a kick-off meeting in the Spring to announce which options will be available for the coming year. We strive to offer at least one spring break option for both middle and high school, as well as at least one summer option (in addition to the Leadership Summit) for each age group.
Need-based and merit-based scholarships are available for EF trips; please complete the financial assistance application below and submit to Chief Academic Officer Jaclyn Angle, Ed.D., at jangle@uaschools.org.







