Grade 12 students at Heritage Christian School in Kelowna are currently participating in the Global Citizenship Program (GCP).
Each year, Grade 12 students from both the online and campus high school, travel to Southern Mexico on this six-week educational odyssey. GCP uses the excitement and adventure of international travel to increase the learning potential in various academic, cultural and discipleship courses.
The integrated and intensive nature of the program means that students can complete more credits more quickly. The students may take courses such as leadership, English, Spanish, food and nutrition, direct studies, to name a few.
They have opportunity for profound personal growth as well. In addition to academic and cultural development, students serve underprivileged children and complete building projects in Mexico.
This year the Heritage students are working on a soccer field for a local community in Puerto Escondido. Through sweating together at a worksite, or playing soccer with the locals, students develop relationships that last a lifetime. They also spend a week living with a Mexican family which provides a chance for them to practice their Spanish91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”whether they are at the beginner or advanced level.
Students face many challenges in the program, but they face them in the context of a supportive community of their peers. It's a great time of character development.
