A Summer of Learning

Those words became the theme of our time in Guatemala this summer. As Chatham Hall continues to expand opportunities in our Global Programs, Dr. Melissa Mitchem and Mrs. Michelle Andrade were honored to participate in the Faces & Our Cultures Teachers’ Summer Program, a cultural immersion experience designed for educators from schools across North America. The experience offered us a glimpse into the transformative journey that Chatham Hall students will have the opportunity to experience next summer.

Faces & Our Cultures is a Guatemala-based organization dedicated to building meaningful connections across cultures. Through student exchanges and educator partnerships, the organization helps young people develop empathy, cultural understanding, and the confidence to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

The Teachers’ Summer Program offers educators an opportunity to learn more about Guatemalan culture before welcoming students to their schools. As part of this global exchange, Chatham Hall will welcome student ambassadors from Guatemala and send our own students abroad beginning in summer 2027. By learning alongside local teachers, visiting schools, and building relationships with the student ambassadors who will later travel to the United States and Canada, participating schools are better prepared to create meaningful cross-cultural experiences for everyone involved.

Throughout the week, we visited schools tucked behind unassuming walls that concealed vibrant campuses filled with winding pathways, towering trees, and students from preschool through twelfth grade. We met passionate educators who are deeply committed to their students and witnessed classrooms where relationships and community are at the heart of learning.

As we traveled through cities and villages, we experienced both the incredible beauty of Guatemala and the realities that shape daily life. Lush mountains, colorful markets, roadside gardens, and countless friendly neighborhood dogs became familiar sights. We also saw communities facing significant economic challenges and were reminded that understanding another culture requires both curiosity and compassion.

The experience reinforced an important truth: global learning is about far more than travel. It is about listening before speaking, asking thoughtful questions, embracing different perspectives, and recognizing our shared humanity. These are the kinds of experiences that define a Chatham Hall education.

When our students travel to Guatemala next summer, they won’t simply be visiting another country. They will be building relationships, learning alongside peers, challenging assumptions, and developing the cultural awareness and leadership skills that prepare them to make a meaningful impact in an interconnected world.

At Chatham Hall, we believe some of the most powerful classrooms have no walls. We are excited to partner with Faces & Our Cultures to offer our students an experience that will expand their perspectives, deepen their empathy, and inspire lifelong growth. Because sometimes the greatest lessons begin by stepping beyond what is familiar.