By Meg Winston / Features and Managing Editor
When the last bell rang on May 24th, most students’ anticipation of sleepaway camps, vacations or staycations became realities as the summer—and break from school—began. However, a few students embarked on a summer adventure that took them straight back into the classroom, yet this time thousands of miles across the world.
Each year Harpeth Hall offers exchange programs that connect students with girls to host and stay with for approximately three weeks. The summer of 2024 took a total of nine students to schools in New Zealand, Germany, Guatemala, and South Africa.
Making an over twenty hour journey, rising juniors Kelty Jones, Kate West and Violet Wolter attended Woodford House in Havelock North, New Zealand. The girls got a taste of what school is like across the globe–from trying out the boarding option at Woodford House to attending the College Ball!
When asked what surprised them about Woodford House, Jones said of its atmosphere, “It was a pleasant surprise to me how nestled it is in nature- there were goats on campus, the views from each building were very picturesque, and the traditional architecture gave the environment a wonderful charm and a sense of history.”
West remarked that the students allowably use AI platforms like ChatGPT to do research and edit writing, something that is not allowed at Harpeth Hall.
Despite the distance between Harpeth Hall and Woodford House, Wolter said, “Much like Harpeth Hall, Woodford House is a community and a sisterhood that made outsiders like me and my fellow American friends feel included and welcomed.”
While being at school over the summer is certainly a sacrifice, the participants noted the most memorable parts of the exchange trips were spent outside of the classroom.
Jones said, “Whether it was a car ride, going on a boat ride or listening to music from New Zealand artists, I will miss the camaraderie and friendships that this exchange trip afforded me.”
West echoed her statement as she said, “I had so much fun talking to the girls in a relaxed setting which allowed me to learn about the kiwi culture!”
Wolter’s host family took her on many adventures, from black water rafting to hunting, and she said, “They made me feel at home in a way that reminded me so much of my own parents and sisters, and I cried at the airport as I had to say goodbye to my new “second family.”
Kiki Christopher, Class of 2025, traveled with three fellow honeybears to Germany, where she spent her summer visiting historic cities, cheering on her German school’s football team, and attending various festivals.
“I was surprised at how walkable the city felt–living in Nashville where public transportation is rarely used, it felt freeing to be able to hop on a bus to get to a friend’s house or downtown or even just walk a couple blocks to grab a pastry,” Christopher reminisced about Wiesbaden. “Everywhere I went held exciting new opportunities to learn more about Germany’s rich culture.”
On another continent, rising junior Madi Whiteley made her exchange to Guatemala.
Driven by her love of learning Spanish, Whiteley was the only Harpeth Hall student to participate in this exchange.
“There was another student from the U.S. in my class from Ohio, so it was nice to have someone to talk about similar interests,” Whiteley said.
She was surprised at how regularly English was spoken in her school’s classrooms and how students do not move from room to room for each subject.
Outside of school walls, Whiteley got the opportunity to visit Antigua and Irtra with both her host family and her own family, who visited her one week during her exchange.
After the trip, Whiteley said, “I would one hundred percent do it again because I miss my Guatemalan family so much, and I had such an amazing time getting to know them and their culture.” In fact, she even has plans to visit again to attend her exchange school’s prom!
While the idea of an exchange might seem daunting, those who have experienced it highly recommend taking the leap.
“I highly recommend this exchange to any one who is interested because the lessons I’ve learned about being independent and trying new things will help shape future decisions and my attitude toward opportunities,” Wolter commented.
Jones voiced similar opinions as she said, “It is such a unique chance to have a blank slate, practice independence, and be able to live in such an amazing alternate reality, all while being supported by the kindness and generosity of the host families.”
When these girls exchanged their holiday for a chance to travel across the globe, they were met with new perspectives, routines, and people. Now, they realized that their most memorable summer was spent in the last place they would have expected—school!