Exploring the World as a Classroom: The Global Learning Trips Program at Lycée Français de San Francisco

At the Lycée Français de San Francisco, learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. Global Learning is a program of educational travel that, from Primary School through Lycée High, allows students to enjoy the incredible power of bilingual education outside the classroom, as teachers translate classroom learning into a rich variety of travel experiences.

Each destination brings a new and different focus that aligns with the curriculum for that grade, spanning themes such as History & Geography, Science & Technology, Languages & Culture, Sports, and Service Learning. The program is deeply tied to the school's mission of developing global citizens: living and learning among native speakers supercharges language learning and cultural awareness through immersion, making language learning local and authentic.

But the benefits go far beyond academics. School travels are designed to foster student engagement and team building, and the program encourages personal growth in ways that can only be achieved by venturing outside of one's comfort zone. As Gr11 student Raphael puts it: "We get to know each other a lot better, see each other a little more outside of school, get to know the teachers a little better, and we just get to experience different cultures and see places that normally we've never been to."

A Journey for Every Grade

Destinations span the globe and scale with age: from overnight camping trips in Marin County for the youngest students, to Gr10 students visiting Washington, D.C. to explore American history, to Gr11 students spending ten days in French Polynesia, experiencing a Pacific island in a way no textbook could offer. Notably, Global Learning educational trips for Grades 1 through 12 are now included as part of the Lycée's tuition*, reflecting the school's commitment to making these transformative experiences a standard part of every student's journey not an optional add-on.

Spotlight: Gr11 Returns from Tahiti

The most recent chapter of the Global Learning program brought Gr11 students to the islands of French Polynesia — and by all accounts, it was unforgettable. Students spent most of their time on the island of Tahiti, with two-day excursions to the neighboring island of Moorea.

From the very first moments on the ground, the experience was unlike anything a textbook could offer. "They welcomed us really warmly with the dance, with the flowers," recalls Stella, a Gr11 student. "When we came they offered us flower necklaces, and when we left Tahiti, they gave us seashell necklaces."

Learning That Goes Beyond the Classroom

The trip connected directly to students' HLP (History, Literature, and Philosophy) coursework, where they had already studied Tahitian culture. Seeing it firsthand gave those lessons a powerful new dimension: particularly the Polynesian value of collective well-being. As Raphael observed, "They're very big on hospitality... nobody is left behind and everyone kind of knows each other there."

Activities ranged from cultural immersion to open-water adventure. For Raphael, one moment stood out above the rest: "We did La Pirogue, which is basically a nice boat with wood flooring: we got to go swimming, we got to put music on, we ate barbecue off it. That was my favorite activity for sure."

For Stella, who joined the Lycée just a year and a half ago, the trip was a personal milestone and already her favorite. "It's like a new discovery for everyone," she says, "since not a lot of people have the chance to go to Tahiti. It was great being with your friends in a new place and discovering new things: food, places, and experiences too."

(* For new families only.)

Watch the video below to hear directly from Stella and Raphael about what made this trip unforgettable.