Mexico – PWS Intro Trip – 9 Day Teen Learning Community
March 13 – March 21, 2023
Are you new to the idea of living in community? Nervous about being away from home for such a long period of time? Wonder what this whole worldschooling thing is all about? Then this retreat is for you!
Join Project World School for our short-form retreat, which will introduce you to the concept of learning from the world, and co-creating community. Why is learning in community important? Please take a moment to read this article called Inspiration, Osmosis and Empathy: What Can We Learn From Each Other? written by researcher and unschooling advocate
Our unique 9 day learning community takes place in the Veracruz region of Mexico, with an emphasis on exploring nature, culture and traditions. We’ll even ask ourselves, “Who were the Olmecs and where did they come from?” Do you know?
Xalapa is a picturesque city in filled with beautiful gardens and radiant flowers. We’ll explore the colonial city and the unleveled streets filled with history, nature and art! The city is known for its important Mexican history boasting stories of conquest and invasions, and the heroes who lost their lives fighting for the honor of the nation.
During our stay we’ll immerse ourselves in the local culture and explore the rich natural environment all while practicing the principles of trust, teamwork and leadership. Ever thought about attending one of our month-long trips? This trip is a perfect introduction to the Project World School Teen Retreats!
The 2023 Mexico Retreat is a temporary learning-community with a focus on immersive learning. Project World School is not a typical study abroad program as it takes advantage of the power of a learning-community to produce collaborative goals, knowledge acquisition, personal development and changes in global perspectives.
01 WHEN
March 13 – March 21, 2023
02 WHERE
Xlapa, Veracruz - Mexico
03 WHO
8 or more participants (ages 12-17) self-directed learners, unschooolers, homeschoolers & worldschoolers
05 STATUS
Open & Accepting Applications
04 COST
$2197 USD
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
01 WHAT'S INCLUDED
Full accommodation for the duration of the learning community retreat
• All airport transfers
• All ground transportation
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinners during the retreat
• Entrance fees to all the included attractions
• All workshops, talks, guided tours, and classes throughout the retreat.
• Filtered drinking water to refill your water bottles (water bottle not included).
• Fun!
02 WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
• International airfare
• Laundry
• Snacks
• Souvenirs
• Other personal items
• Meals on travel days (arrival & departure)
• International flights from your home country to each retreat location are not included
03 MEALS
Many of our meals will be prepared by our team in our hostel. Breakfasts will consist of fresh fruit, juice, eggs, fresh yogurts, cheeses and local breads. Lunches will be a combination of local dishes, salads, fish and other local Mexican flavors. On the days we have full-day outings, we’ll prepare and pack lunches for our trip, including sandwiches, fruit, chips and juice. Dinners will be a combination of self-prepared meals in our lodging and dinners in local restaurants. We will make every effort to accommodate everyone’s diet restrictions including having vegetarian and gluten-free options. Please indicate any special needs on your application.
04 ACCOMMODATIONS
During the Mexico – PWS Intro Retreat – 9 Day Teen Learning Community, we will stay in a hostel in Xalapa. Generally, we always occupy dorm rooms that consist of bunk beds, so between 4-8 of our teen participants will be sharing a room at any given time.
05 PACKING LIST
Packing List
What to Bring?
You’ll be gone for a nine days, and for those of you who haven’t traveled for long periods of time, we’ve prepared this list in case you might need some assistance with deciding what you should pack. So here it is, our packing list ‘suggestions‘! Our recommendation to you is not to over do it. You’ll have to haul everything you pack around initially, and there are weight restrictions through all airlines. Also, keep in mind you will be living in shared space. There will be laundry available, and you will be able to purchase replacement shampoos, lotions, etc. during the trip, so no need to haul around ‘family size’ bottles of anything.
NOTE: Remember the list below is a suggested list! Feel free to modify, based on your own needs.
Packing List:
Clothing
1 Long Sleeve Shirt
1 Long pants (I would recommend wearing this on the plane)
4 T-shirts
2 bathing suits
3 shorts
1 raincoat
1 sunhat with a brim
sneakers or good walking shoes
sandles
personal items / toiletries
tooth paste & toothbrush
soap
shampoo & conditioner
sunscreen
lotion
insect repellant
travel towel
personal electronics
headlamp or small flashlight
camera or phone
optional: laptop computer / iPad
miscellaneous
passport
copy of passport
water bottle
day pack
anything you will need to lead a session
sunglasses
tiny first aid kit
duct tape
laundry bag
small padlock
ATM card
small journal or notepad and pens
musical instrument
costume, wigs, funky hats, etc. (if you are into that sort of thing)
sketch book
SCHEDULE
Schedule for Mexico
Day 1 – Arrivals – Travel day
Day 2 – Team building workshop
Day 3 –Day exploring Xalapa including Cerro de Macuilteptli, centro and the lakes
Day 4 – Morning visit to the ExHacienda El Lencero – Afternoon Cooking Class + Sessions
Day 5 – Who were the Olmecs? Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa + Storytelling
Day 6 – Day of Service
Day 7 – Jalcomulco – Rapids Adventure
Day 8 – Sessions + Closing Celebration
Day 9 – Travel Day
*Schedule is subject to shift
FACILITATORS & PARTNERS FOR THIS RETREAT
LAINIE LIBERTI
TRIP CO-FACILITATOR
Lainie Liberti, is a Project World School co-founder and facilitator who has organized and run over 25 international retreats since 2013. She is passionate about learning, archaeology, community, metal health and empowering young learners. To read more about her, click here.
MIRO SIEGEL
TRIP CO-FACILITATOR
Miro Siegel is a 23 year old Project World School co-founder and facilitator, who specializes in writing, mythology, history and cultural studies. Miro acts as both a mentor, and a friend to all. To read more about him, click here.
FERNANDO LOPEZ SANCHEZ
TRIP CO-FACILITATOR
Fernando Lopez Sanchez is twenty seven years old, an avid watercolor enthusiast, digital artist, film maker and print maker. He believes creativity is the optimal way of sharing life, love and knowledge and ultimately connecting to one’s humanity. He’s co-facilitated 2 other PWS teen trips and is well loved by everyone. To read more about him, click here.
