Winter Intersession Starts at Ross School

Ross High School Students Travel to China And the American Southwest from February 28 to March 16, 2012

Adventure, exploration and intercultural understanding are woven into every course offered at Ross School during its Winter Intersession. Also known as M-Term, this three-week period that falls between Winter and Spring Terms offers Ross High School students and teachers the opportunity to work intensively on group and individual projects. Classes and programs in a wide variety of subjects expose students to in-depth study, new interests, possible college/career paths, volunteer opportunities and recreational pursuits. Many of these occur in conjunction with travel, both abroad and within the United States.

This year, students traveling abroad are immersed in Chinese culture, as courses focus on various aspects of this globally influential country. Students learn about Chinese history; ecology; architectural heritage (pre-20th century); philosophical and religious traditions; art, fashion and architecture; and the giant panda conservation efforts taking place—students on this particular service learning trip actually help care for and feed these endangered mammals.

Visits to see Beijing’s cultural highlights—the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall—as well as Xi’an’s Terra Cotta Warriors are included. Students also explore remote villages, mountain landscapes and world famous temple sites, among other excursions. They learn the art of Tai Chi and Chinese cooking, perform Karaoke, and explore the modern face of China in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, a domestic off-campus trip to the American Southwest allows students to explore the idea of iconic imagery and the culture that makes up the southwestern states. Students are creating portfolios and media-based products that relate to the understanding of the Great West, the American dream, and contemporary art as a form of culture. Each trip is well documented by students on blogs. Please visit www.ross.org/winterintersession to view the blogs.

These trips are in keeping with Ross School’s mission to help its students achieve a global perspective and learn to engage fully in the global community.

There are several on-campus M-Term courses being offered as well. Students explore the most creative contributions to the global film market; learn Japanese language and culture through its cuisine; and read Homer’s Odyssey, constructing maps, illustrating cartoons and rendering 3D images concerning the text.

They also take part in several community service projects both on campus and within the local community; engage in artwork and writing as they explore the impact of “soul space” and “artistic creativity”; and study various styles of dance including hip-hop, African, ballet, modern, jazz and acrobatics. Finally, students study the history, people and culture of New York City through books, movies, and, of course, visits to the Big Apple, while others learn to play, record and produce Afro-beat music.

M-Term projects often form the basis for continued study or interaction, expansion into a Senior Project or the impetus for fundraising or other community service efforts.