MBS Announces Global Trips for 2026

MBS Announces Global Trips for 2026
MBS Announces Global Trips for 2026

MBS is excited to announce an inspiring lineup of global experiences for 2026 through its Global Studies initiative!

This year’s destinations include a trip to Costa Rica (Middle School), The Island School in the Bahamas, Japan, Greece, a Habitat for Humanity service trip, and a service trip to Panama — offering students unforgettable opportunities to explore, learn, and make a difference around the world.

Costa Rica: San José & the Costal Puntarenas
Who: 7th and 8th Graders in 2026
When: March 7-12, 2026
Estimated Cost: $4,300-$4,500
Trip Leader: Sra. Arroyave
Trip Chaperones: Ms. Swanson, Mr. Valentine
 
Overview:
Get ready for an epic adventure to Costa Rica, known as the rich coast! Explore the breathtaking tropical region of La Fortuna, home to the iconic Arenal Volcano, while diving into thrilling activities like zip lining, making chocolate, soaking in natural hot springs, tree planting, and animal conservation work. Add Spanish immersion, dance classes, and unforgettable cultural experiences to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect blend of adventure and learning. This program will introduce students to cultural and environmental conservation themes in a fun, engaging, and enriching environment.
 
Who: Upper School Students
When: March 15-21, 2026 
Estimated Cost: $3,900
Trip Leader: Mr. Turner
Trip Chaperone: Dr. Chuang
 
Overview:
What is The Island School?

It’s an educational adventure where you’ll live and learn alongside scientists, teachers, and students on a campus fully immersed in the natural world. You’ll spend your days exploring the rich marine ecosystems of Eleuthera, including mangroves, coral reefs, the pelagic zone, tidal flats, and nearshore reef systems. These aren’t just beautiful places to visit; they’re living laboratories where you’ll investigate real-world questions in marine ecology, biology, and conservation. 

Marine Ecology, Biology, & Conservation: There are ecosystems to explore, investigate, and protect: mangroves, the pelagic zone, flats, coral, and near-shore reefs.

CEI Research and Lab Studies: Work with scientists to learn about their ongoing marine research projects in the field and our wet lab.

Sustainable Design & Living: Get a closer look at the sustainable systems they use every day, including solar, aquaponics, water collection, waste management, and more. 

The Island School’s philosophy is connecting primary research to education and outreach to create unique opportunities for students and scientists to learn about native ecosystems and environmental sustainability through immersive, place-based experiences.  

You will be very active; expect to spend a lot of time swimming, snorkeling, discovering SCUBA, running and biking around Cape Eleuthera. Keep in mind that The Island School has a no-cell phone policy.

Japan: Storytelling Through Culture & Tradition
https://www.mbs.net/academics/global-studies/japan-2026
Who: Upper School Students
When: March 7-16, 2026
Estimated Cost: $5,400
Trip Leaders: Ms. Patel, Dr. Hasegawa, Mr. Goodman
 
Overview:
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Japan where storytelling and cultural exploration take center stage. This immersive Global Studies trip is designed for high school students with a passion for writing, creativity, and global perspectives. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, students will explore how narrative traditions shape identity, memory, and place. With hands-on workshops, school visits, an overnight stay at a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), and opportunities to write in stunning natural and urban landscapes, this trip is both a cultural deep dive and a writer’s retreat. Guided by MBS faculty and local experts, students will return with a deeper understanding of Japan and their voices as storytellers.
 
Storytelling
Storytelling is woven into every part of this experience. Students will try their hand at anime and explore immersive digital storytelling at teamLab. A visit to the Ghibli Museum and a writing exchange with Japanese students deepen the exploration of narrative across cultures. Daily writing opportunities encourage reflection and creativity inspired by the places they visit.
 
History and Culture
Japan’s rich history and vibrant culture come alive through visits to shrines, castles, and city streets. In Tokyo, students will learn how the old and new coexist, from the Meiji Shrine to Harajuku’s cutting-edge style. Kyoto looks into Japan’s spiritual and artistic traditions, while Osaka provides a lively look at modern Japanese life. Throughout the trip, students will engage with the cultural rhythms that shape Japanese identity and storytelling.
 
Nature
Japan’s natural beauty is a source of reflection and creative energy throughout the trip. Students will walk quiet forest paths and take in breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji in Kofu. In Kyoto, they’ll experience the stillness of Arashiyama’s bamboo groves and the vibrant trails of Fushimi Inari. These landscapes offer space to pause, write, and connect with the environment in deeply personal ways.
 
Greece
Who: Upper School Students
Maximum Number of Students: 20
Lead Chaperone: Miss Bass
Chaperones: Ms. Ziegler, Mr. Lodato, Mr. Tousignant
When: March 7-15, 2026
Estimated Cost: $4,650-$4,850
 
Overview:
Join us on an enriching journey to Greece for Art, Identity, and Culture: A Journey Through Greece—an unforgettable eight-day exploration where ancient legacy meets contemporary life. Travel through Athens, ancient Olympia, Nafplio, Delphi, and Mycenae, uncovering the stories that have shaped Greek identity across centuries. From the majestic ruins of the Temple of Zeus to the sacred grounds of Delphi, experience firsthand the powerful intersection of history, myth, and meaning.
 
This immersive program invites you to engage deeply with Greek culture through hands-on experiences: craft traditional food dishes during a cooking class at a family farm, explore your creativity in a ceramics workshop led by local artisans, and take on an interactive scavenger hunt through the vibrant streets of Athens. Reflect on modern Greek society during a visit to Parliament, where discussions of sociopolitical issues bring today’s complexities into focus.
 
Climb Lycabettus Hill for a panoramic view of the capital, meet artisans keeping age-old traditions alive, and wander through timeless towns where past and present coexist. Art, Identity, and Culture offers more than a tour—it’s a transformative journey into the heart of Greece.
 
Habitat for Humanity: John's Island, South Carolina
Who: Upper School Students 
Maximum Number of Students: 10
Lead Chaperone: Mr. Mazouat
Chaperone: Ms. Platt
When: March 8-14, 2026
Estimated Cost: $1,500
 
Overview:
Morristown Beard School has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity International for over 25 years. Join us as we build houses and spend part of spring break giving back at John's Island, South Carolina. In recent years, we have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Alabama, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico and South Carolina.
 
Give & Surf: Panama
Who: Rising 9th, 10th, & 11th Graders
Maximum Number of Students: 16
Lead Chaperone: Ms. Deventer
Chaperones: Mr. Lovelock, Sra. Anguisaca-Munoz
When: June 19-28, 2026
Estimated Cost: $4,000
 
Overview:
MBS has been partnering with Give and Surf since 2015. The non-profit was founded by MBS alumnus, Neil Christiansen '02. 
 
Give and Surf’s mission is to provide sustainable empowerment to communities of Bocas del Toro, Panama, through education, self-determined community development, and positive respect of culture and traditions.
 
Give & Surf has designed the 10-day/9-night itinerary for Morristown Beard School to give the participants a meaningful volunteer experience that has a positive impact on the communities they will be working in, in addition to providing them with the opportunity to explore and learn about the islands of Bocas del Toro. Upon arriving in Bocas del Toro, the group will be housed in a local hostel in Bastimentos, where we will eat most breakfasts and dinners. We will eat most lunches at the local community restaurants, which will consist of chicken, rice and beans, patacones, and fresh fruit. During the week, participants will spend half of each day volunteering with our programs or working on a community service project, and the other half of the day participants will have the chance to participate in a variety of activities, including a jungle hike & cave tour, visits to local beaches, snorkeling, surfing, and more activities including a jungle hike, medicinal plant tour, and visits to local beaches.
 
In addition to these cultural, curricular and service trips, Morristown Beard School also partners with numerous outside vendors offering juniors and seniors an opportunity to study abroad for a semester, a year, or a summer. MBS has also worked with reputable organizations to offer international students an opportunity to study abroad. If you have questions, please contact MBS Director of Global Studies Aline M. de la Torre-McCloskey at adelatorre@mbs.net
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