During the 80s and 90s, many people witnessed experiential learning swim against the powerful current of mainstream education. Some embraced it while others dismissed it. For years, experiential education was confused with "experimental" education.

Well, experiential education has proven highly effective with hands-on learners who might not have achieved their potential in mainstream education. As the pace of our world continues to accelerate, so do the demands of the work force. Employers report that they are searching for visionaries, critical thinkers, problem solvers, leaders and self-starters. An ability to think "outside the box" has become essential.

What does the pace of our world have to do with experiential education? By experiencing and actively participating in what is being taught, students have the opportunity to draw comparisons between subjects and relate the information with tangible realities. It shifts the learning environment from student observer to student participant. The result is a student who is better prepared for the competitive global work force.

WHAT IS A TRAVELING BOARDING SCHOOL?
Over the past 14 years, Nawa Academy has pioneered the traveling boarding school concept, which blends experiential education with travel and real-world knowledge. The small group size encourages a sense of community and cooperative learning. The combination of experiential learning and international travel allows for unique educational opportunities and intercultural experiences. This creates a dynamic learning and growing experience.

Where the groups stay depends on their destination. For example, when International Academy visits China, the group stays at a school and with local families, whereas, when they travel into South Africa, they stay at hostels and lodges. For additional information on where our groups travel, refer to the trip calendar on this web site.

MISCONCEPTIONS
The concept of a traveling boarding school is foreign to many people, just as the word experiential was during the 80s and 90s. Some of the concerns we hear from parents considering this program for their child is that a traveling program sounds exciting and fun, but seems to be too alternative or lacking in academic expectations. Allow us to dispel some of these misconceptions.

• The International Academy is a Nawa Academy program and a participating student can earn a high school diploma under the college preparatory curriculum.
• Our course outcomes, which list goals in specific areas of learning and understanding, follow the curriculum guidelines set for the State of California.
• Universities and colleges accept our graduates based on the merit of their academic performance and SAT scores.

• Textbooks and resources are used and grades are issued. The difference is that the textbook is just one of many sources of information.
• Students do their coursework during structured times throughout the day while they are on a trip and while they are back on campus.
• Research papers are required and students learn how to use both on and off campus resources.
• We have found that the total learning during a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week period exceeds that which is learned in structured classes five days per week.

HOW DOES THE LEARNING WORK?
Unique to the International Academy is that our teachers travel with the group during the entire trip, therefore, giving them the ability to work individually with each student without time constraints. Teachers provide project-based activities to compliment the curriculum. Students also visit museums, parks, universities and colleges, and participate in many unique events in the communities they visit. This allows for the learning to come to life.

Along with the academics, students also develop important life skills in working cooperatively with diverse populations, problem solving, time management, money management, and emancipation. Often, these skills reinforce the material they learn in their academic subjects. For example, while food shopping in Peru, the students develop a menu and shopping list, determine quantities, compare prices in Peru with their food budget, and purchase the food using their skills in speaking and reading Spanish.

It is our goal to create a desire for lifelong learning. We believe that discovery should be a continuous process which has no "off-switch."