Lake Michigan Catholic Expands Global Studies

*As part of this winter's cultural exchange program, visiting French students taught LMC elementary school students the alphabet, numbers and vocabulary in French.*

ST. JOSEPH, MI: Lake Michigan Catholic is making strides in its new global studies program, which builds on the schools’ history of enrolling international students and offering select international study, service and travel opportunities. LMC’s expanded global studies program provides a focused global curriculum; international travel and education experiences; and additional opportunities to make the world their classroom.

“There has never been a more important time to give our students a global perspective,” says LMC Middle/High School Principal James White. “The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the reality that we cannot be out of touch with the global nature of our world.”

Launching the experiential part of global studies – like international service, cultural immersion and semester study abroad – is contingent upon conditions being safe for students and staff to travel globally. But the foundation is already in place for new programs in France, Spain, Guatemala and China, in addition to existing programs like the Rotary-sponsored service trip to the Dominican Republic and a bi-annual trip to Italy. Currently, LMC students can participate in virtual Spanish language practice with students in Guatemala.

“These experiences are designed to build on each other,” explains White. “Short service trips can help students get comfortable with being in another culture, which can lead to longer international immersion programs. Ultimately, students could spend an entire semester studying abroad at one of our partner schools and earning academic credit. These experiences lead to unbelievable, life-changing results for our students.”

The new global studies program isn’t just about international travel, though. Without leaving Southwest Michigan, LMC students can enroll in academic pathways that focus on global business, global studies and foreign language. The high school plans to issue special global studies diplomas recognizing students who have completed the global curriculum and experiential learning programs.

The Sam and Connie Monte Global Trading and Finance Lab will be home to eight new international business classes at LMC, while the STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics) lab is a hub for multidisciplinary global learning. Four-year language programs in Spanish and French, internships with global companies and an international student club round out the planned academic experiences.

LMC also plans to boost exchange opportunities that bring international students to Southwest Michigan and provide LMC teachers with international teaching experiences.

“With global businesses in our own backyard, this is a perfect fit for us,” says White. “We believe that everyone, from our students and teachers to the local community and host families, will benefit from an expanded understanding of our interconnected, global world.”

Lake Michigan Catholic is a private pre-kindergarten through 12 ^th grade Catholic school dedicated to nourishing the human spirit – mind, body and soul – through Jesus Christ.

	Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Downtown Campus Grades 6th - 12th Grade 915 Pleasant Street St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-983-2511 Fax: 269-983-0883		Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School South Campus Grades PS - 5th Grade 3165 Washington Avenue St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-429-0227 Fax: 269-429-1461		"Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rooted in Sacred Scripture and centered on the Eucharist, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School embraces the values of Education, Faith and Citizenship.”
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