Over the course of five days, with more than 35 faculty-sponsored projects across the country, Proctor Period kicks off our spring trimester at Proctor. Why do we allocate 10% of our Spring Trimester to Project Period? Because we believe deeply in the value of immersion learning, and this week provides an opportunity for us to dive into learning experiences that simply do not fit into our regular academic schedule.
Day began on the Schooner Harvey Gamage at 5:00 AM with the loud clanking of the windlass above my clammy bunk in the forward most compartment of the ship called the fo'c's'le or forecastle. As the crew pumped the arms up and down in a seesaw fashion to retrieve the anchor chain, it made its characteristic deep rumbling sound as they fed the heavy links into its wooden housing box above my cramped quarters where I bunked with Gabe and Madoc who were gracious enough to share their space with me for my leg of the Ocean Classroom adventure from Key West up to the Gulf Coast.
As they have for decades, Proctor en Segovia students closed out their winter 2022-2023 term abroad by traveling south to Andalucía and the city of Granada. There they explored its UNESCO World Heritage sites and monuments and immersed themselves in the region's rich history and culture that has absorbed the influences of many groups, primarily from North Africa, over the centuries.
For our six sophomores studying abroad in Costa Rica this winter, their eight weeks living and learning with a host family have changed the trajectory of their lives. Read some final reflections from Emma '25 and Bella '25 as they wrap up their time on Proctor en Monteverde!
There is nothing like coming home after a week of exploring. This time, however, we returned to our house in Aix, after a vivacious week in Madrid, realizing it was our last week at home.
Each term Proctor en Segovia students live in Spain for more than two months, immersed in Spanish culture, language, and the rhythms of their host families. They exist in an in-between space; they are not quite local residents but are much more than tourists visiting for a day or two. By engaging with locals -- program directors, Spanish faculty, afternoon activity instructors, host families, teammates, and new friends --, they open themselves up to new perspectives and powerful learning experiences.
This week Euro ventured to Madrid, Spain. The week was filled with many art museums, friends, good food, and more.
Proctor Academy's Ocean Classroom program departed Key West and made the transit up the gulf coast of Florida to St. Petersburg, and on to Panama City where the student crew was interviewed by the local news station. Read more below from Molly '24 and Winter Ocean Classroom and the once in a lifetime experience students from both Proctor and the MET School (Providence, RI) are having during their 65 day voyage.
