Washington School for Girls
Eighth grade students from the Washington School for Girls (WSG) arrived home from the inaugural Girls Go Global trip to England this May! Last August, our newsflash report detailed the first steps WSG staff took to make this travel program a reality. This Spring, our dreams were finally realized.
The Girls Go Global Program was envisioned as a capstone international travel experience for our 8th graders as they prepare to graduate from WSG and begin their high school journeys. Our goals were to enhance their cultural awareness, strengthen their communication skills, and help them grow independent and confident.
In order to bring this program to life, WSG worked with the Religious of Jesus and Mary (RJM)—one of WSG’s founding organizations who have a convent located in Felixstowe, England—and the St. Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls—another RJM-founded school located in London. Since WSG connected with St. Claudine’s several years ago, we knew we needed to bring together our students to create meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
In late April, 15 WSG students embarked on a weeklong trip made possible through generous donations, which ensured that each girl could participate at no cost to her family. Their journey began in London, where they took in the city's history through a hop-on hop-off bus tour and a river cruise. They explored landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. A walking tour of Brixton offered insight into the Afro-Caribbean community of London and the history of the African diaspora. Another highlight was a visit to St. Claudine’s, where our students joined their classes and connected with their peers. The girls ended their time in London with an evening at the Victoria Palace Theatre to see Hamilton.
After the energy of London, our students travelled to the seaside town of Felixstowe, where the RJM sisters welcomed them for a spiritual retreat. Alongside students from St. Claudine’s, the girls participated in Finding God in Leaf—a retreat focused on environmental stewardship and care for our common home. Through prayer, reflection, and art, students explored their spirituality while forging new friendships and deepening their understanding of sisterhood.
Through the Girls Go Global program, our students saw beyond their own communities and learned more about life and culture in another part of the world. The time our students spent with their peers from London and in community with the RJM sisters provided a learning opportunity that extends beyond the classroom. It was a vibrant experience of sisterhood, cultural understanding, and spiritual growth that will help them grow and build important skills for their futures.
