Welcome to J-Term: 2024-25
J-Term Information Page | Secondary Division
In alignment with our mission to cultivate future leaders with a global perspective, uniquely equipped to understand and address global-scale challenges, we are continuing the J-Term program this June. During J-Term, our Avenues ecosystem will offer globally coordinated, immersive learning experiences. The program remains committed to uniting Avenues campuses worldwide in a shared experience that connects students and families to one another and to the world beyond the campus.
J-Term this year remains with a variety of possible locations and ways for you to connect to other campuses. Apart from staying at your home campus, visiting another campus, and, applying to Global Journeys like last year. The options we have this year include:
- Campus Exchange: Families have the opportunity to join Avenues New York, AEON School or welcome families from New York to Shenzhen.
- Co.Lab: Students engage in service learning within our local communities while developing their knowledge of global-scale problems.
- Global Journey: Students cultivate their global mindset through place-based learning opportunities around the world.
Co.Lab
During our Secondary Division Co.Lab this year, students will focus on Tech for Good in an age-appropriate way through hands-on explorations and collaborations across campuses. Opportunities to transfer learning outside of the classroom will take the form of visits to tech companies, conversations with experts, and immersion in some of Shenzhen’s famous engineering and design spaces.
We will introduce students to the world of emerging technologies and how they can be applied to make the world a better place. Students will engage in engineering workshops, field trips, and partnership with experts, all while working on a start-to-finish design cycle, concluding with a prototype hackathon and product expo. Families will have the opportunity to witness their child’s journey with technology for good in this culminating event.
Campus Exchange
Campus exchange to Avenues New York
J-term campus exchange is designed to immerse Shenzhen students in the vibrant academic and cultural environment of Avenues New York during a two week campus exchange in June.
Campus exchange to NY dates:
May 27-June 11 (If campus exchange opportunity has been confirmed, Secondary Division leadership team will reach out to each family to identify the plan from June 11-20)
Objectives:
- Personal Growth: Provide opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zones, develop independent learning skills, and build confidence.
- Cultural Exchange: Facilitate meaningful interactions between SZ and New York students to enhance cultural awareness and appreciation.
- Collaborative Learning: Encourage teamwork on projects that address real-world challenges, leveraging diverse perspectives.
Program Overview
Secondary Division students participating in the Campus Exchange to New York will have the opportunity to enroll in a broad catalog of course offerings based on interest alongside Avenues New York students. While a few J-Term courses may run the entire day, most students will enroll in both a morning and afternoon project.
While the course offerings for J-Term 2025 will vary, students and families are welcome to view last year’s J-Term course catalog here to get an idea of the type of projects that may be available at Avenues New York this June.
Dates
June J-Term at Avenues New York will run for 11 class days, starting Tuesday, May 27 and concluding on Wednesday, June 11.
If your campus exchange request has been confirmed, here is the following course selection timeline in New York campus:
- March 7, 2025
- Avenues New York and Shenzhen students and families receive NY 2025 Course Catalog and Course Preference Survey
- March 14, 202
- Deadline for Course Preference Surveys
- April 25, 2025
- J-Term Assignment + Course Change Request shared with students and families
- May 9, 2025
- J-Term Rosters Finalized
Campus exchange to AEON School
If you choose to enroll AEON school online, the dates will be June 2-20.
Important Notes on Campus Exchange
Please read the following carefully if you are considering Campus Exchange for your family:
- If you enroll in Campus Exchange at New York campus, your family (or at least one parent) is required to be in the New York City with your child for the entirety of J-Term as students are expected to be at campus each day. Homestays are not available.
- If you choose to participate in Campus Exchange at AEON school (Avenues Online), all learning is conducted remotely.
- Families are responsible for their own accommodations, transportation, relevant visas, and required immunizations so advance planning is essential.
- While the majority of Campus Exchange requests will be granted, there may be instances where it is not granted due to the following considerations: capacity at the desired campus, general standing on your home campus, and language proficiency.
Global Journeys Program Offerings for Grades 6–12
Global Journey programs meaningfully immerse students in new environments, influence change in both participants and the local communities, and guide students towards becoming responsible travelers at ease beyond borders; Global Journeys programs are not vacations or tours. Regarding Global Journey programs, please note:
- Each trip requires a minimum number of participants to run. There is a possibility that some trips may be canceled if the minimum registration is not met.
- You will see a price range for each trip below. The final price of each trip will be determined by the registration number of students.
- The final date to make program changes is February 20. Program fee bill will be sent out to families after February 20. If your family decides to enroll in any Global Journey program, families are required to pay program fee by March 1.
Middle Grades Program (G6-8)
History Art & Culture (Orvieto, Italy)
The Italy Program is a cultural immersion experience where students develop leadership, self-awareness, and a global perspective. Staying with Italian hosts Marco and Chiara Dragoni on their organic farm, students will learn traditional crafts, explore Italy’s rich history from Etruscan to modern times, and engage with local traditions. The program also addresses deeper issues like cultural preservation vs. modernization. Students will gain a deeper understanding of Italy's influence on art and culture, while developing the skills to navigate unfamiliar environments with openness and curiosity, preparing them to become global citizens.
Experience Highlights
- First-Hand exposure to sustainable practices and creative projects through direct exposure to eco-conscious projects, such as organic farming and sustainable design.
- Direct interaction with local farmers, artisans and makers to foster cultural exchange and deepen understanding of local customs, traditions, and contemporary practices
- Exploring Italian art, architecture, and cultural heritage, gaining a first-hand understanding of the country's profound influence on global art and design
- Exploring the intersection and creatively reflect on history and modern life
Price: USD4,620 (minimum 14 students)
Dates: June 5-15(11 days/10 nights)
Unseen Water and Biodiversity
(Chanthaburi and Khao Chamao, Thailand)
This learning program immerses participants in environmental exploration and teamwork in Thailand. They develop wilderness survival skills, including water purification and shelter building, and engage in activities like hiking, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Participants learn about sustainable farming, fish cultivation, and marine ecosystems, while contributing to environmental conservation through tasks like oyster habitat creation and coastal cleanup. The program also includes visits to a mangrove village, organic farms, and snorkeling around Koh Man Nai. Throughout the program, students will develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, deepen their understanding of biodiversity conservation, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Experience Highlights
- Understanding the interconnectedness of nature, culture, and sustainability, exploring how local communities balance economic activities with environmental conservation and biodiversity protection
- Engaging with local communities through immersive experiences such as learning traditional craftsmanship, participating in sustainable practices, and collaborating on ecological initiatives
- Examining contemporary issues surrounding environmental sustainability with hands-on activities such as water purification, wildlife protection, and kayaking
- Contributing to sustainable practices through activities like raft construction, ecological restoration efforts
- Building meaningful relationships with local farmers, artisans, and environmental leaders, offering participants the chance to learn firsthand from those working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and nature
Price: USD3,575-3,850 (minimum 8 students)
Dates: June 4-18 ( 15 days/ 14 nights)
Upper Grades Program (G9-11)
Migration, Language & Culture
(Rabat, Tangier, Morocco & Granada, Spain)
The Morocco-Spain Program immerses students in the shared histories and cultures of Spain and Morocco. Students explore colonial and decolonial narratives, environmental issues, and learn Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and Spanish. The program includes cultural activities, visits to historical sites like the Alhambra, and a border crossing from Morocco to Spain to explore migration issues. Students also engage in environmental conservation projects and connect with local youth. The experience fosters global citizenship, self-awareness, and leadership.
Experience Highlights
- Understanding of complexities of colonization, decolonization, and their effects on identity and culture
- Engaging with local communities through language learning and cooking, gaining insight into everyday life
- Examining contemporary issues surrounding migration by observing the cross-cultural dynamics between the two regions.
- Contributing to reforestation and sustainable agricultural practices, understanding how historical landscapes are preserved and adapted for future generations.
- Building meaningful relationships with local families, youth, and artisans, allowing students to experience cultural practices and modern life directly
Price: USD3,630-4,290 (minimum 10 students)
Dates: June 5-16 (12 days/11 nights)
Relationships to Land and Water
(Colorado, US)
The program offers students an immersive cultural experience focused on the histories, cultures, and environmental issues of North America. Students explore the Colorado River Basin, learning about land and water issues, ecology, and the impact of human activity. Through collaboration with local organizations, they deepen their understanding of cultural relationships to land, food systems, and the environment. The program fosters self-awareness, leadership, and global understanding by guiding students to interact with diverse communities and reflect on critical social and environmental issues. It is designed to help students connect with local landscapes and cultures while developing a broader sense of their role in the world.
Experience Highlights
- Understanding the legacies of colonialism and their contemporary impacts on Indigenous communities, exploring issues of land rights, water access, and cultural preservation
- Engaging with local communities through hands-on agricultural practices, water conservation efforts, and ecological education, gaining insights into sustainable food systems and the challenges of climate change
- Exploring the relationship between people and the land by traveling through diverse landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the canyonlands of Utah
- Reflecting on personal growth and the interconnectedness of global environmental issues, with an emphasis on the urgency of the environmental challenges facing both local and global communities today.
Price: USD4,565-4,895 (minimum 10 students)
Dates: June 5-16 (12 days/ 11 nights)
Before and After Travel
Q: Will students miss academic work during this program and if so will they be permitted to make it up?
A: Academic work outside of the Global Journeys program will not be assigned during these times.
Q: What are the expectations for students prior to and post travel during J-Term?
A: Enrolled students may be required to attend meetings with Avenues Program Leads before and after the traveling portion of the program. The pre-departure sessions will prepare students for the program and the post-travel sessions will help students debrief and process their learning experiences as well as prepare any presentations.
Travel Logistics
Q: How are flights booked? Am I able to purchase my own flights?
A: All students are expected to fly with our program leads.We will arrange corresponding arrangements about tickets, and coordinate arrival and departure transportation for students.
Q: Can I arrange for independent travel arrival and departure?
A: We are unable to accommodate independent travel for students. This is due to unexpected travel logistics that could cause flight cancellations, delays or rerouting which could disadvantage students independently traveling versus as part of a group.
Q: Are flight upgrades allowed on the group booking?
A: No. All students fly economy class. Baggage fees will be included in the flight costs. If you book independently, please be sure to pay for checked baggage as needed in advance.
Q: Can I have a friend as a roommate or flight seatmate?
A: We will try our best to accommodate requests, however this is not guaranteed.
Q: What is the cell phone policy?
A: Cell phones can be brought on the program. However, students’ access and use will be limited so as to ensure that students are as immersed as possible in the destination. There might be times when cell phones are taken away from students during the trip, or set hours for phone usage for example.
Q: How is travel to and from the airport arranged?
A: Global Journeys will organize campus-based bus transportation to and from the airport.
Program Costs
Q: What is included in the program fee? Are there additional costs I should plan for in each program?
A: Program fees include:
- All meals and lodging, including homestay, if applicable
- In-country transportation, program activities and orientations
- Program Lead supervision throughout the program
- Health, accident and medical evacuation insurance
- Travel insurance, however it is strongly encouraged that families purchase additional insurance
- 24-hour medical and travel security assistance and advice before, during and after travel
The program fee does not include:
- International airfare, passport or visa fees
- Pre-program medical examinations or immunizations
Q: What is the payment schedule for programs?
The final date to make program changes is February 20. Program fee bill will be sent out to families after February 20. If your family decides to enroll in any Global Journey program, families are required to pay program fee by March 1.
Q: What is the cancellation policy for programs?
A: Avenues reserves the right to cancel or modify Global Journey programs in cases such as health and safety concerns, including pandemic related issues, natural disasters, extreme fluctuations in monetary exchange rate, or air transportation costs, among others. Families will be informed accordingly. If Avenues suspends or cancels a program, whether before or after it commences, Avenues will refund the program fee, minus any costs that Avenues is unable to recover. Avenues will not refund flights and any credit or refunds will be contingent on the specific airline policies.
If you withdraw from the program, any request for a refund must be submitted to Avenues by email to the Global Journeys team at jterm-sz@avenueschina.cn.
Upon receipt of a refund request, Avenues will process the request within one week of receipt. Avenues will work with families on a case by case basis around the policies below. The likelihood of a refund diminishes the later the student/parent chooses to withdraw.
Refund Schedule
For students traveling in June 2025:
- Withdrawal prior to March 15, 2025: Refund 50% of the program fees paid (airfare purchased will not be refunded)
- Withdrawal after March 15, 2025: Refunds for program fees will not be provided (airfare purchased will not be refunded)
Q: What if I do not turn in the required forms?
A: Completion of all required documents is required by at least one month prior to the start of J-Term. Parents should ensure all required documents are completed and shared with the Avenues Global Journey team. These include, but are not limited to, Partner Waiver, Partner Participant Agreements, Partner Activity Waivers, Partner Risk Waivers, Global Journeys Medical Form, Travel Affidavits, independent travel authorization forms where applicable. Failure to not complete the required documents in advance is cause for Avenues to cancel a student's participation in the program.
Q: Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
A: Avenues purchases emergency and health travel insurance as part of the cost of each trip. However, we strongly suggest you purchase an individual travel insurance policy to ensure you are covered in the case of needing to withdraw at short notice, flight refunds in the case of program cancellation, or other unforeseen events.
Q: My child’s program was canceled unexpectedly. Are they able to be placed in an alternative program?
A: Should a program be canceled prior to departure, Global Journeys will do our best to place your student in an alternative program. However, there is no guarantee spots will be available. Should we be unable to accommodate a student on a canceled program, we will prioritize affected students for the following J-Term Global Journeys programs as best we can.
Required Forms
Q: What forms are required?
A: The required forms will vary by trip.
- Medical Form: This form needs a physician’s signature to recommend that the student is able to travel. We use it to make sure that we are adequately prepared in the event of an emergency. This is required for all families.
- Avenues Participant Agreement: Requirement for all families to complete as part of the registration process.
- Travel Affidavit: For students traveling from the campus, a travel affidavit is needed so as to allow them to travel with Program Leads. Brazil requires an additional affidavit for all students.
- Partner Waiver: Should Avenues work with a third party travel partner, an additional waiver may be required prior to travel.
Please note that some forms may need to be notarized either in-person or online.
Q: What kinds of travel documents are needed?
A: Passport and Immigration Documents: All students must have a current passport for international travel at the time of application. It must be valid for at least six months after the end date of the program. In the event of an unexpected emergency where a parent must fly to the program destination, at least one parent or guardian must have a valid passport and any applicable immigration documents. Non-citizens who are residents in a foreign country need to ensure that their immigration documents are in order for them to return.
Visas: Avenues will provide the necessary support for students to secure tourist visas for programs that require it.
General Travel Affidavit: Required for all travelers to give permission for the program leads to travel with the student and care for them should there be a health situation
Health & Safety
Q: Can my child's allergies, dietary restrictions, and health issues be accommodated?
A: All dietary and health restrictions should be communicated with the Global Journeys team at the time of application so that we can determine whether or not the proper arrangements can be made. Our in-country partners work hard to ensure that the host sites and homestays are appropriate for each student. In the event we feel we cannot safely accommodate a pre-existing condition, we may need to postpone the student’s participation or be selective in the destination options. The safety of students is our priority.
Q: Does my child need a physical examination before the program?
A: If your child has not had a physical examination within 12 months of the trip departure date, they will need one in order to join a Global Journeys program.
Q: What vaccinations does my child need in order to participate?
A: All students, faculty, and local partners will be required to be fully vaccinated, including up-to-date boosters for those who are eligible in order to be allowed to participate in the program. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Q: What health and safety protocols are in place?
A: The Global Journeys team is an active member of the international education community working to improve all aspects of field practices. Our programs are aligned with the most up-to-date field practices around health and safety.
To highlight some of our protocols, each program will count on a team of Program Leads (Avenues faculty) with a ratio of one Program Lead for every six students enrolled. The Program Leads have extensive training before departure during which they develop their place-based pedagogical practices and health and safety management skills. Global Journeys also works with a reliable team of local experts and partners. This combination provides access to efficient local health and safety responses as needed. The Global Journeys team additionally has a 24/7 hotline in case of emergencies.
Q: In what cases might my child be sent home from the program?
A: If your child violates program policies while on the program, you may be required to come pick them up and take them home. Violations may include inappropriate or dangerous behavior, unsafe substances, or otherwise not following program policies.
No refund will be provided in the event that a student is sent home.
