Away They Go! Harkness Travel Trips Packing to Travel the Globe

Where will you find Lawrentians over spring break? Everywhere! Dozens of students will head around the globe on a variety of Harkness Travel Program trips. While they won’t be packing up the actual Harkness tables, they will be bringing the collaborative, inclusive, and critical thinking skills they’ve honed in the classroom.

Spring 2025 trips are heading off to:

Bahamas: Students will experience sustainable living at the Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas. They will explore and examine coral reefs, marine wildlife, mangroves, fisheries, sustainable aquaponics systems, and Caribbean geography to better understand life on Eleuthera through sustainable living principles. After some SCUBA practice in the Tsai Field House pool (pictured above), they will experience coral ecosystems up close, and learn how to protect ocean ecosystems.

Southern California: On this service learning trip, students will travel to San Diego, then the border towns of Calexico (and its twin in Mexico, Mexicali), where we'll connect with local residents and organizations working to address community issues through grassroots projects such as migrant aid and communal kitchens.

Germany: This engaging itinerary invites participants on a remarkable journey through Germany, blending hands-on experiences in physics, engineering, and automotive design with cultural exploration. Visits will include the Experimenta Science Center (to learn about aerospace travel), and The DLR School Lab at Technical University (for an immersive look at aeronautics research), plus tours of the Porsche Factory and Museum, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, an Audi factory and the BMW plant.

Greece: Lawrentians will experience the history, explore the mythology, and reimagine the lives of the people of Ancient Greece on this trip. From Athens to the Cyclades Islands, students will immerse themselves in the rich history of classical Greece will enjoying modern Greed culture and cuisine.

Morocco: Students will travel through various regions of Morocco, from fascinating cultural and historic sites to contemporary Morocco, both urban and rural. They will engage in intensive language study throughout the trip, employing their new skills throughout. Targeted discussions and guest speakers will showcase Morocco’s approach to ethnic diversity, issues of gender, and traditional cultural practices.

Nepal: On this awe-inspiring journey to the highest country in the world, students will explore the religious, cultural and ecological diversity of Nepal. Trip highlights will include visits to Buddhist and Hindu sacred spaces, a trek through the Annapurna mountain range and a homestay with local families.

New Zealand: On this trip, Lawrentians will explore some of the most beautiful national parks by foot and paddle as they backpack and kayak in Te Tauihu (the Top of the South Island, New Zealand) to build leadership skills and competencies, while broadening perspectives and understanding of te taiao (the environment) from both a Western and indigenous lens.

Photo: Students sharpening their SCUBA diving skills in the School pool in Tsai Field House. Credit: Director of Sustainability Steve Laubach.

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.