Intersession Programs

Intersession Travel Programs
In January, students went on the following trips, both abroad and in the U.S. In spring, we will send another two groups overseas, one to China and the other to Japan.

Thailand
The trip began in the capital city of Bangkok, an incredible city where monks walk in the shadows of modern skyscrapers. Students explored temples there and took a boat ride through the floating markets. They took a scenic overnight train to Chaing Mai, where they spent a couple of days before driving into the mountains toward Mae Hong Son, a beautiful, Buddhist city. Part of the journey to Mae Hong Son included rafting down the Pai River.
The majority of the trip was spent living in a small, rural, hill-tribe village near Mae Sariang. There students helped to implement a cleaner trash removal system in the village and spent time teaching English in schools, repairing houses, and preparing meals. For the last four days of the trip, participants trekked between hill-tribe villages in Chaing Rai.

France
Students lived with French families associated with the Suger School, Sonoma Academy’s sister school near Versailles. (Students from the Suger School will visit Sonoma Academy in the spring). They spent 10 days in Paris exploring museums and taking advantage of other cultural opportunities there. Participants also spent time in the Suger School getting a feel for a typical French student’s experience and visited the palace of Versailles and the castle of Saint-Germain-En-Laye.

Mexico
During this Intersession trip students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in real Mexican culture. They stayed with Mexican host families while attending classes at Instituto Tapatío, SA’s sister high school in Guadalajara, Mexico. The adventure included day trips to several states in the Mexican republic visiting traditional and modern markets, art museums, archeological sites, modern shopping centers, and more.

Mojave Desert Vision Quest (This program is for juniors and seniors)
The Mojave Desert provided a rugged and unspoiled setting for a wilderness-based vision quest and rite of passage experience for a group of juniors and seniors.
The group spent several days on campus preparing for the trip to the desert and a solo vision quest. An organization called Rites of Passage, Inc. oversaw the vision quest portion of the program.

Katrina Clean-Up/History of the Blues
This program combined community service work with a study of the Blues. Students began this trip by helping families clean up their neighborhoods, working with NOLA , a local volunteer organization. Then the group began a trek northward along US interstate highway 61, the famed “blues highway,” gradually making their way 500 miles north to Memphis, Tennessee. Along the way they explored the heartland of the Delta, passing through Vicksburg, Greenville, Leland, Tunica, and Clarksdale (land of the infamous “crossroads” where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil).

Spring Break Travel Programs: March 26 - April 6

China
Students will hike on the Great Wall, walk through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and spend the weekend at the home of a new Chinese friend. This program includes eight days in Beijing, where students will stay on the campus of Number 4 High School shop at a variety of markets around the city. A four-day trip to one of China’s other interesting areas, Xian or Huang Shan, will be included.
The program is designed for students who are interested in learning about China and Chinese culture. No prior Chinese language study is required, but participants must have a willingness to learn the language.

Art in Japan
Travel with Hillary Younglove and Mario Uribe (former guest artist familiar with Japan) and explore the arts of Japan. This program will include instruction in traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy, and the tea ceremony, as well visits to castles, temples, museums, markets, artist's studios and, of course, shopping.

Students will stay at the Oomoto School of Traditional Arts in the city of Kameoka. Kameoka is located near the ancient city of Kyoto, the capital of Japan from 1794 to 1868. During the stay in Kameoka the group will explore Kyoto. Before leaving Japan the group will also visit Tokyo. While in Tokyo, students
will go to a museum, visit a calligrapher and visit the famous Harajuku district where teenagers and crazy fashion mix.