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Trips and Exchanges

We believe that a true education goes beyond the classroom, which is why Dwight offers students unparalleled opportunities to explore the world and become global leaders. Rooted in our School’s three pillars of global vision, community, and personalized learning, our travel programs are designed to ignite curiosity, foster connections, and empower students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Our students travel to the home countries of Dwight Schools in our global network for exchanges, where they forge friendships with peers on other campuses and are introduced to different cultures. They also travel to other international destinations to participate in leadership and community service programs, pursue athletic training, and see more of the world. Within the U.S., students take grade-wide trips for orientation and bonding experiences early in the year, as well as to destinations that bring their classroom learning to life.

Safe travels • Bon voyage • Boa Viagem • رحلات آمنة • Sretan put • 잘 다녀와 • Gute reise • Peguatapórante • Bonum cursum • СЧАСТЛИВОГО ПУТИ • Maligayang paglalakbáy • Καλό ταξίδι • Buen viaje • Safari salama • Viagens seguras • Viaggi sicuri • Sichere reisen • נסיעה בטוחה

Our Vision

Dwight’s commitment to providing a global education extends well beyond our International Baccalaureate curriculum by offering students exceptional opportunities to learn about different countries and cultures firsthand. Through a wide range of immersive experiences both domestically and overseas, students gain a deeper understanding of the world, broaden their perspective, and develop the competencies needed to become successful global leaders.

We understand the importance of community and the power of forging meaningful connections. Our travel learning programs foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among students as they embark on adventures together, share transformative experiences, and form lifelong friendships that transcend borders.

With a global network of Dwight Schools spanning continents and extending into the cloud, we are delighted to provide students with a plethora of opportunities to connect with their peers worldwide, collaborate, and bond through a shared spark of genius. Through Dwight Schools in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Hanoi, Franklin School in Jersey City, and online, the potential for cross-campus exchange is limitless. Dwight’s personal learning approach extends beyond the classroom, assuring that each student’s unique interests, passions, and learning styles are taken into account to maximize personal growth on trips.

Dwight students have ventured far and wide, exploring the history, culture, natural landscape, and traditions of countries around the world.

Dwight Destinations and the WILD Program encourage students to embrace all of the incredible opportunities to embark on transformative voyages of personal growth that deepen their sparks of genius and expand their worldview.

WILD PROGRAM

Upper School students have the opportunity to participate in Dwight’s Wilderness Instruction and Leadership (WILD) Program. WILD is an innovative outdoor initiative that builds skills and community, and helps to fulfill Dwight’s vision to “foster the next generation of global leaders who can thrive anywhere in the world.” This includes the wilderness. Students take part in hiking and paddling expeditions in and around New York State — and around the globe.

By participating in WILD, students have the opportunity to pursue the “Adventurous Journey” portion of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh International Award Program. This program is designed for young people to develop skills, become physically active, give service, and experience adventure, playing a critical role in their development. You can learn more about the program and how to enroll here.

Thanks to the Dwight School Foundation, WILD has gear to lend students, such as tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, etc. This allows students to join WILD trips without having to spend a significant amount of money on new outdoor gear.

Trimesters Abroad in Our Global Network

As part of our mission to ignite the spark of genius in every child and nurture the next generation of global leaders, Dwight offers Upper School students in New York the opportunity to study abroad at one of our sister campuses around the world. Students may choose to spend a trimester, multiple trimesters, or even a full academic year at Dwight Schools in London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, or Hanoi — each offering a distinctive cultural and academic environment within the shared values and International Baccalaureate (IB) framework that define all Dwight Schools.

Our trimester abroad experiences are custom-designed for each student to ensure a seamless academic transition, alignment with graduation requirements, and a meaningful personal journey. Whether a student is seeking to strengthen their language skills, deepen their cultural understanding, or explore a new environment, we work closely with families, advisors, and our partner campuses to create an enriching, transformative experience tailored to the student’s interests and needs.

Living and learning in another country fosters resilience, independence, and open-mindedness — qualities essential to global citizenship. Students return home with a broadened worldview, a deeper appreciation for different cultures, and a new lens through which to reflect on their own identity and experiences.

If students are planning to complete the full IB Diploma (grades 11-12), we recommend that students participate in this program during grade 10, allowing for maximum flexibility in academic planning. Because of the coordination required across campuses, students and families should begin the planning process in grade 9. If students are completing the Dwight Diploma/IB certificate pathway, there is a little more flexibility with exchange options after grade 10.

While most exchanges take place within the Dwight global network, we can also support and advise on study abroad opportunities at partner schools outside the network, though our emphasis remains on cultivating global connections within our Dwight family.

If you're interested in learning more about how a trimester or year abroad can fit into your academic journey, please reach out to the Head of Upper School to start a conversation.

 

 

 

EXPLORE OUR 2025-26 DESTINATIONS

As our students grow and learn, Dwight Destinations and WILD trips pair with and enhance their school journeys. Starting in grade 4, our students begin with their first overnight trip to Washington, DC, soon followed by their first international trip to London in grade 5. From there, opportunities abound around the world — from backpacking trips in national parks, to embarking on a Kenyan safari, traveling to sister Dwight Schools for our Global Concert, and more. 

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Programs Calendar At-A-Glance

 

Dwight Destinations and WILD Community Portal

Current community members can find more information, including available trip details, travel policies, and FAQs, on our portal.

Log In to Our Destinations Portal

Dwight Destinations and WILD Team

FIONA IMBODEN

Director of Overnight Programming

Claudia Irico

Coordinator of Overnight Programming, Associate Director of International Students, DSO

Shauna Fitzmahan

Director of the WILD Program

Read about past trips!

Students from The Dwight Schools and WISER “All Pull Together”
Students from The Dwight Schools and WISER “All Pull Together”

Sharing the belief that education is a right, not a privilege, creative Dwight Lions worldwide have joined forces with students at WISER (Women’s Institute for Secondary Education and Research) in Muhuru Bay, Kenya, to create The Harambee Magazine — a cross-campus online publication in support of WISER.

From Dubai to New York: A Very Special Origami Exhibit by Teodore V. ’27 Takes Flight
From Dubai to New York: A Very Special Origami Exhibit by Teodore V. ’27 Takes Flight

When Teodore V., a sixth grade student at Dwight School Dubai, shared his passion for origami with Chancellor Stephen Spahn, an idea was sparked: the Chancellor invited Teo to create an origami mobile to take its pride of place in the stairwell of our Main Campus in New York. The new mobile would be installed where one had hung previously for many years and was well-loved as an iconic element of our School.