Ursuline continues to educate global leaders, near and far.

Students and teachers traveled to Ursuline’s sister schools, participated in a faith-based mission trip in Costa Rica, and attended a science and technology symposium in Taiwan.

Unique study abroad classes were also offered in Spain.

Here are the highlights:

Colegio Santa Ursula in Santiago, Chile

Four students had a wonderful cultural and educational experience in Santiago, Chile. Students were assigned a host family to stay with, and with this family, they did a variety of activities on the weekends and on the weekdays. Some days, they would go to school with the students, and other days they would sightsee.

Some highlights from the trip included visiting the house of the famous poet Pablo Neruda in Isla Negra, purchasing crafts and eating delicious foods in Pomaire, and exploring Vina del Mar and Valparaiso which are known for their gardens, beaches, and high-rise buildings.

“My favorite part of this trip was bonding with my sister from Chile.” said Carolina Ponce ‘21. “I truly felt that all Ursuline schools have a sisterhood, not only in the United States, but throughout the world.”

Ursuline High School in Wimbledon, England

Nine students and three chaperones traveled to Wimbledon in June.

They visited Hampton Court, walked along the Thames, took a tour of Wimbledon Village and London, watched the changing of the guards, and learned how to cook various British dishes which they served to retired members of the community.

“It was nice to see what life is like for students at our sister school and discuss the differences and similarities,” said Computer Science Teacher Danny Poellot. “Everyone we met was very gracious and we learned to travel in the way of the Londoners- by bus, train, cabbie, and foot!”

The group is looking forward to their British friends visiting Dallas this fall.

Colegio Santa Ursula in Lima, Peru

“My experience in Peru was unforgettable,” said Sarah Pumphrey ‘20. “Everyone you meet is so welcoming and happy to see and teach you all about Peru.”

Students went to classes with their host sisters, visited the Museo Larco, took a chocolate class, and went on an excursion to Ica and Islas Ballestas. They experienced the sand dunes, had photoshoots with llamas, and even tried the famous Peruvian ceviche, Chica Morada.  

2019 Science and Technology Symposium for Youth in Taichung, Taiwan

Three students and two teachers attended the symposium in July. The conference was hosted by our sister school, Stella Matutina, and students attended from schools in South Korea, Malaysia, China, and Taiwan. Ursuline was the only school invited from the Western Hemisphere.

During the trip, the group went sight-seeing in Taichung, ate shaved ice, visited the night market, went hiking in the mountains, and explored a hot spring. They toured a university where they were taught how to climb trees using ropes and harnesses, and how to catch fish with a net and tag them.

They also visited the Luce Memorial Chapel. Here, they attended a session about bees, tasted pollen, royal jelly, and honey from several different regions.

After the conference, they went to Taipei and spent two days visiting and touring the city and temples, historic houses, and the National Palace Museum, where they saw the national treasures of Taiwan.

“The whole experience was amazing and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Teresa Valenzuela ‘20. “I am extremely grateful that I was given this opportunity to visit and learn about Taiwan.”

Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

The World Languages Department hosted summer study abroad classes for Ursuline students at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Opportunities included language coursework for academic credit.

15 students experienced two weeks of language and culture study at the Universidad de Salamanca. They lived with Spanish host families, cooked paella and tortilla Española, and attended flamenco classes. 

“My experience in Spain was extremely eye-opening and an unforgettable experience,” said Devon Vopni 21. “I was able to learn so much about the Spanish culture through the classroom and from my host family.”

Mission Trip

11 students and four chaperones went to work in four different communities around San Isidro de el General, Costa Rica.

They worked alongside community members to do different building projects on their community chapels. Some of those things included painting, building handicap ramps into the building, raising the roof to allow for more air circulation, and doing planting and gardening work to help beautify the chapels.

"It is such a wonderful trip and experience!" Visual Arts Teacher Sarah Kennedy said. "The people of Costa Rica are so loving and welcoming. They wanted to share their lives and culture with us while celebrating Christ and the gifts He has given them."