Application for:
Catlin Gabel/Oregon Episcopal School
2015 trip to Chajul, Guatemala
Dates: March 13-23, 2015
Number of students: 12 (6 from each school)
Trip Leaders: Christina Meyerhoff and Spencer White
Purpose
For Catlin Gabel and Oregon Episcopal School students to serve, learn, and, live together in the village of Chajul, Guatemala while affecting real change in the lives of Chajulenses.
Eligible Students
Priority will be given to US students who: •Have completed Spanish II •Have a profound interest in improving language through in-country practice •Have an interest in working together with students from OES •Want to learn about life in an indigenous community in Guatemala •Who look forward to making a difference in the lives of the Ixil people of Chajul.
Note to student applicants
Learning and working abroad requires emotional and physical resiliency. Students should be prepared to work hard and to live and travel very simply, in a manner typical of developing countries. Students applying to this trip must possess a strong work ethic and show 100% commitment before, during, and after the trip. We will have several required meetings/activities during the months leading up to the trip. Students should be in good health as well as in good academic and social standing. Final admission decisions will be made by trip leaders and division heads.
Itinerary overview: Depart for Guatemala on the morning of March 13. Spend the night in a hotel very close to the airport. Travel to Chajul on March 14. Stay in the Vetz K’aol, a modest hostel on the outskirts of town. Our days are filled spending meaningful time with kids, peers, and adults in the community. Projects have included: Fotovoz with peers, library time with scholarship students at Limitless Horizons Ixil, visiting friends in remote village of Pal to learn about communities of resistence that developed during the civil war. After 7 days in Chajul, we return to Antigua, spend one more night, and arrive home on the evening on March 23, 2015.
Application process:
To apply, students must:
1. Complete and submit the essay and application page attached, and a financial aid application if needed.
2. Essay: Please write a short essay detailing why you would like to participate in this experience and submit to Spencer White on or before October 14th
Your essay should include:
- Why you want to be a part of this CG/OES collaboration to Chajul, Guatemala
- What makes you a strong candidate for this experience
- What makes you a strong group member
Application for Catlin Gabel/Oregon Episcopal School
trip to Chajul, Guatemala
March 13-23, 2015
Student name (exactly as on passport) ______
Passport Number ______Date of Expiration ______
Current grade level ______Birth Date______
How many years have you studied Spanish?______
Other languages studied (please explain)______
Parent/Guardian name(s) ______
Parent/Guardian emails ______
Student’s Cell Phone ______
Have you ever been to Guatemala? Yes ____ No_____
If “Yes”, when did you go? How long did you stay? What did you do? (i.e. sight- seeing, volunteering, etc.)
______
______
Have you ever participated in a Catlin Gabel or OES international trip? Yes ____ No_____
If yes, where did you go and when? ______
Are you applying to any other international trips this year? Yes ___ No___ Which ones? ______
I have answered all questions as accurately as possible.
Student signature: ______Date:______
Parent / Guardian signature: ______Date:______
**Please return this application and your essay to Spencer White before Tuesday, October 14th
TRIPS & ACTIVITIES FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
Please complete the requested information below as part of the process of determining eligibility for trip and activities financial aid. The committee will give your request careful consideration. Please note that there are limited funds available and we would like to assist as many families as possible.
In addition to assisting with required activities such as the experiential learning week in March for Lower, Middle and Upper School, it is our goal to enable students to participate in one international trip during Middle School and one major trip during Upper School. Need based financial aid is considered for those who qualify and who have not already participated in an international trip during their division tenure whether financial aid was required or not. Also note that families must be current on their tuition payment plan for a student to participate in a major trip.
I. Student name: Grade:
II. Parents:
III. Trip or Activity:
IV. Cost of Trip:
V. Amount of Financial Aid Requested:
VI. Amount parents can contribute:
VII. If Applicable: Amount student can contribute:
VIII. Please indicate any extenuating circumstances that make this request necessary (such as unusual medical expenses, care for parents, etc.):
IX. List other school-sponsored trips the student participated in and during what years?
X. In addition to the above information, if you have not already completed the SSS (School and Student Service) Parent Financial Statement as part of the financial aid tuition award process, you may be requested to do so. For more information on SSS, visit sss.nais.org.
Parent Signatures: Date:
Date: