WHAT IS GLOBAL?
Global Perspectives is a five-credit, intensive academic program that runs the second semester for students in their grade 11 year. The program takes place at Innisdale Secondary School, but is open to all students in Barrie and the surrounding area, running in partnership with the Simcoe County District School Board and the City of Barrie. Students earn four grade 11 credits in Music, World Religions, English, and Politics, as well as one grade 12 World Issues credit.
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As the name implies, Global Perspectives is an opportunity for students to learn about the world around them, through both assignments and actual travel. Started in 1999 by Dave Morrison, Global was intended to provide students with a unique opportunity to learn outside of a regular classroom environment. This program pushes students to look beyond life in Canada, not only to see the realities of the world but to be involved in it actively. Each year, 28 lucky students are chosen to embark on this journey to learn about the world as a whole, and uncover a lot about themselves along the way.
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For each student, the program starts in their grade 10 year when they apply in February by submitting a written form, followed by an in-person interview with the teachers. Students are chosen based on their interests, academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and the overall impression that they make. Once all the students are selected, students, parents and teachers then coordinate through the long trip ahead.
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Before students enter the classroom though, they must first host a German exchange student for a month in September/October, from Barrie's sister city of Zweibrücken. During their time in Canada, the Germans went on a multitude of trips, visiting iconic Canadian sites such as the CN Tower, Algonquin Park, and Niagara Falls. Everyone made close connections with their partners in the month that they were here, and when the time came for the Germans to leave many tears were shed on both ends, while a promise remained to reunite in May.
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Then in February the program truly begins as the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed students walk into the confines of portable 11, unaware of the horror soon to befall them as they are ambushed and assaulted with assignments by four malicious teachers (we kid, we kid). All jokes aside, Global is an extremely demanding program academically that seeks to bring out the most that every student can give. Significant projects include The Big Pitch (new to this year), Colony to Nationhood, and the Shaman, each one requiring creativity, organization, and ingenuity to be completed. Additionally, each student must also complete a semester-long independent study on a global issue of their choice, handing in a comprehensive report on their topic by the end of the program. Needless to say, all-nighters are quite frequent in Global.
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After two and a half months of intense work, students are finally rewarded with the first trip of the program: two weeks in Cuba. That time was filled with dancing, singing, trips to the market and nights spent on the beach, as well as being exposed to some of the harsher realities of life in Cuba. Through day trips, lectures, and Cuban partners, every student learned and grew a lot in Cuba. At the end of the two weeks, no one wanted to leave. The first day back in the portable was pretty depressing.
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But Global never rests, and thus neither can they. The next month is filled with endless tasks: Shaman, ISUs, website, Global Presents and a million other things to do as the students all barreled through the last stretch of work in the program. At long last, 28 students emerge from the trenches, trampled and weary but still with hope and enthusiasm shining in their hearts as they set their sights on the month of travel that lies before them.
As students reunite with their exchange partners, the next four weeks are spent traveling around Europe. Though most of the time is spent in Germany, day trips to France, as well as the Big Trip to Rome, are also notable highlights. At the end of the month, students leave with heavy hearts, and with a new appreciation for everything seen and experienced. |
From beginning to end, no student leaves Global as the same person they were when they started the program. With new challenges and experiences waiting around every corner, there are endless opportunities for personal growth. Countless people have been changed by their time in Global as it unlocks the potential hidden within everyone. Though the program may come to an end, it never truly leaves those that have been a part of it, creating an impact that lasts a lifetime. Not only are people changed, but memories are made and friendships formed, never to be forgotten by those who have had the privilege of knowing them.
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Our time in Global has come to an end. Despite this, we know that each year new students will come into the program, unaware of the magic they will soon experience, and that the program will carry on for years to come. Global continues to change lives every single year and each and every one of us is eternally grateful to have been one of the lucky few to be a part of this amazing program. This is only the beginning, one of many adventures, but it is one that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
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