Posted
February 20, 2025
With opportunities in 19 countries across six continents, Edsmen engage in scientific exploration, service trips, foreign exchange programs, and cultural immersion—expanding their knowledge in meaningful ways. IB Diploma candidate and guest writer Anderson Scott ’25 shares how these journeys have shaped his outlook.
After three long hours of bouncing along Ghana’s unpaved roads, a dozen of my St. Edward classmates and I finally pulled up to Saint Brother André Senior High School—our sister school through the Congregation of Holy Cross. The campus seemed to appear out of nowhere, its main building glowing in the last light of the day. As soon as our van slowed, a wave of booming sound crashed into us: powerful drums and singing, with a rhythm so alive that we, a bunch of Northeast Ohio kids, had no shot at keeping up.
To our surprise, this was our welcome! The entire school had packed into their assembly hall, filling it with an energy that was impossible not to feel. It was a moment that truly redefined what it means to extend a “warm Holy Cross welcome.” Only later did we learn that the instruments they played had been donated by Edsmen just a few years before, creating an unspoken bond between our schools.
That trip to Ghana is just one of the many unforgettable experiences I’ve had at St. Ed’s. Through Model United Nations, I’ve traveled to France, England, and the Netherlands, debating global issues and meeting students from all over the world. My last MUN conference in The Hague was wild! I was France’s Ambassador, tackling ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence in the United Nations. (Easy, right?) But what I love most about MUN isn’t just the debates—it’s the people.
I now have friends in Ghana who WhatsApp me on my birthday, friends in the Netherlands who FaceTime me on Koningsdag (King’s Day), and friends in Greece who are jealous that I can drive while they’re still stuck with bus passes. I wouldn’t trade these connections for anything, and they wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing travel program built by Director of International Programs Mr. Perrins.
To some, these trips might seem like vacations from school, but I assure you, they are an extension of the classroom. They are a perfect mix of my IB education and the Holy Cross values we talk about at St. Ed’s. I’ve learned more from a three-minute conversation with someone from another country than I could ever learn from a textbook.
With St. Ed’s being an IB World School, we spend a lot of time exploring diverse perspectives and the idea of being internationally minded. But nothing expands your worldview quite like actually being out there in the world. And for me, that really hit home in Ghana.
On my first night at my “new school,” I sat down at an empty cafeteria table until, out of nowhere, about fifteen students pulled up chairs, eager to find out if America was really like the movies. They grilled me: Did I drive to school? What did I think about the president? What’s the deal with the two-party system? Should the U.S. lower the drinking age? I had no idea teenagers on the other side of the world would know so much—or care so much—about our government and society.
At one point, I flipped the script and asked what they thought about U.S. politics (mainly to get the heat off me), and their answers were eye-opening. Every one of them had sharp, well-formed opinions. We ended up talking for hours about our goals, our faith, and how we all hope to make a difference in our communities.
That night changed my perspective on everything. It showed me that you can learn so much just by sitting down and having a real conversation with someone from a totally different background. I realized that the best lessons don’t necessarily happen in a classroom—they happen when you step outside your comfort zone. And these trips haven’t just opened my eyes to other cultures—they’ve taught me a ton about myself, too.
On my last trip to the Netherlands, I arranged to separate from the group to visit my Dutch family members. I’d visited them before, but this time, I had to take the train alone. Navigating Amsterdam’s Central Station and reading Dutch signs was a challenge. But instead of panicking, I leaned on what I knew. When I finally got where I was going, I realized how capable I was. That moment gave me so much confidence, especially as I get ready for college.
Looking back, I can see how each trip helped me evolve, whether it was having a deep conversation with a friend, navigating a new city, dining with a host family, or even trying to converse with locals in their language. Each experience taught me more about the world and myself than any class ever could. They also sparked my passion for global politics and influenced my decision to pursue international business in college.
But maybe the most important lesson I’ve learned is that connection matters. Every place I’ve been—Ghana, France, England, the Netherlands—has shown me that the best way to grow is by understanding and respecting other people’s stories. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone and finding common ground with others, no matter how different they may seem.
As I look ahead to the next chapter of my life, I’m grateful for the opportunities St. Edward has given me, helping me grow into someone who, in line with Holy Cross teachings, will help transform the world.
Learn more about St. Edward's immersive travel program.