discovery week 2011

HIGH SCHOOLDiscovery Week March 2012

AAS High School Discovery Week 2012

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Table of Contents

The Aims of Discovery Week 3Discovery Week Registration Procedure 3Timeline of Discovery Week 3Contacts 3Registration Form 4 China, Beijing - History & Art 5Croatia, Split - Active 6Finland, Ruka - Skiing & Snowboarding 7France, Lyon - Student Exchange 8Germany, Berlin - History 9Portugal, Braga - Habitat for Humanity 10Russia, Moscow - Community Service 11Russia, Moscow - History & Arts 12Spain, Barcelona - Culture 13Spain, Barcelona - Sailing 14Turkey, Cappadocia - Active 15Turkey, Istanbul 16UK, London - Theatre & Art 17


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The Aims of Discovery WeekThe Discovery Week has been an integral part of the AAS High School Program for many years and offers enhanced educational experiences for all students. As we continue to expand and improve the program, we are trying to incorporate elements of community service learning and an understanding of the environmental impact each trip has, into the learning component. Each week-long experience is designed so that students will:

1. Discover and appreciate the geography, history, culture and customs of a new area.

2. Become closer and supportive of one another. By traveling together students get to knowone another well, make new friends and learn skills in dealing effectively with others in a groupsituation.

3. Grow in self-awareness, self-confidence & independence. By traveling in a group, awayfrom home and without parents, students will get to know themselves better, gain confidencethrough new experiences, and make decisions that increase their sense of self-relianceand independence.

4. Appreciate each other and their teachers in new ways. Through the common experiencesof traveling, eating, and living together for five to seven days, students and teachers willexperience each other in new ways not possible in the classroom. These new experienceswill provide an opportunity for students and teachers to build a positive and constructive foundation for interaction for the rest of the school year.

Discovery Week Registration ProcedureHigh School Discovery Week provides many exciting opportunities for students to explore the world and build relationships with each other. Please take some time in the next few days to preview the tentative itineraries and estimated trip costs, and choose your top 3 trips.

1. Access your student Netclassroom account, follow the link to view the DW booklet for trip itineraries and costs.

2. To select trips, access the online course request on Netclassroom using your student password and login. Once logged in, complete the following steps:choose Register for classesa Edit requesta HS DW Sign Upa Select your top 3 choices (1-2-3) from the drop down menua click Submit.

3. Get the contract signed by parents and submit to the HS office with a copy of your passport and Russian visa (if applicable) attached by no later than 8:30 on December 5.

Your trip selection is binding. By submitting the online request, and completing and returning the signed contract along with an attached copy of your passport and visa, you are agreeing to pay the cost of the trip selected. Once initial choices are received, students will not be allowed to change or opt out of trips, unless all three of their preferred choices are already full.

Online registration will begin on Monday November 28 at 08:00 and close on Friday December 2 at 16:00.Grade 11 students will be assigned to the trips first. A maximum of one half of the available spots on any trip may be filled by Grade 11 students. Grade 9 and 10 students will be assigned to trips following the allotment of grade 11 students. An invoice will be provided by the Business Office in January. Payment will be expected by February 1, 2012.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Elena Plyuta.

Warm regards,

Paul Sexton

Timeline of Discovery WeekNovember 25, 2011 - Choice Options Introduced at HS Assembly, HS booklet posted November 28, 2011 - December 2, 2011 - On-line registration openDecember 5, 2011 - Signed contract and supporting documents received by HS OfficeDecember 9, 2011 - Trip Assignments Announced on NetClassroomFebruary 1, 2012 - Trip Payment Due

ContactsPaul Sexton High School Principal [email protected] +7 (495) 231-4484Elena Plyuta Activities Coordinator [email protected] +7 (495) 231-1061


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PARTICIPATION CONTRACT

Please attach a photocopy of your son/daughter’s passport/s and Russian visa (if applicable) to this form and submit it to the HS office by no later than 8:30am on December 5, 2011.

Mark choices 1, 2 and 3. Choices are binding - signing and submitting this form confirms you WILL make payment for one of the trips selected.

Trip choices will be allocated on first come/first served basis with priority given to grade 11 students. Please keep a copy of this form for your record.

Student’s Name (print):

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:

Grade:

Date:

Your child will be participating in HS Discovery Week in March 2012.

Trip choices will be introduced to students in an assembly on Friday, November 25. New this year, students will sign-up for their top three choices electronically on Netclassroom.aas.ru starting on Monday, November 28, 2011. Parents are strongly advised to review and select trip choices with their student. The trip selection is binding – by signing the participation contract and submitting the on-line registration on Netclassroom, parents are agreeing to pay the cost of the trip selected. Once initial choices are received, students will not be allowed to change or opt out of trips unless all three of their preferred choices are already full.

Trip selections on Netclassroom will not be considered valid until a signed participation contract has been submitted to the HS office. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Sexton, High School Principal, at either +7 (495) 231-4484 or [email protected] or Elena Plyuta, Activities Coordinator, at either +7 (495) 231-1061 or [email protected].

By signing, you confirm you have read this letter, discussed trip choices with your son/daughter and agree to pay, in full, for the trips your child has selected.

Choice Destination Estimated Costs* $

China, Beijing - History & Art 1200

Croatia, Split - Active 1600

Finland, Ruka - Skiing & Snowboarding 1500/1650

France, Lyon - Student Exchange 400

Germany, Berlin - History 400

Portugal, Braga - Habitat for Humanity 1200

Russia, Moscow - Community Service none

Russia, Moscow - History none

Spain, Barcelona - Culture 1350

Spain, Barcelona - Sailing 1800

Turkey, Cappadocia - Active 1350

Turkey, Istanbul 1300

UK, London - Theatre & Art 1150

AAS High School Discovery Week 2012Te

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Come head East with us to visit the fascinating and historical city of Beijing, China! Students interested in international relations, business or history may find their future studies and careers will involve interac-tion with China, so this is a great opportunity to become acquainted with the country. Students should be prepared for a busy week of walking around the city, taking historical tours and participating in gastronomic and cultural adventures! Participants in this trip should be open to new experiences, ready to try different things and, as is said in the East, “Be like a bamboo that bends in the breeze!”

Trip Leaders: Kari Robertson and Barry SpenceDates: March 17-24, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: $1200* Not included: Chinese visa. Parents are responsible for meeting visa requirements.* Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Evening Departure from Moscow

Day 2 - Arrive in Beijing and visit the Temple of HeavenThe Temple of Heaven is considered to be the most beautiful building in the city. It was conceived as the meeting point between heaven and earth and symbols of the two are integral to the temple’s layout. Its park is a popular area in which to sit, drink tea and play and it is easy to see how Chinese people find peaceful seclusion on the grounds. Day 3 - Great Wall of China, Ming TombsBuilt 2,500 years ago, the Great Wall is one of China’s most historic and magnificent sights. An awe-inspiring attraction and one not to be missed! Next we will visit one of the Ming Tombs, the final resting place and mausoleums of 13 of the 16 Ming Dynasty emperors. We will also walk the Sacred Way, flanked with detailed Ming Dynasty animal sculptures.

Day 4 - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Olympic StadiumThis symbolic public square has witnessed many events that shaped the country’s often turbulent history. The Forbid-den City was the symbolic heart of the capital and the empire for many years. It boasts a maze of 800 buildings and thousands of chambers, each constructed during the Mongol and Ming dynasties. Next is a tour of the Beijing National Stadium, the spectacular setting for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Guides will share their own memories of the games and the legacy the games left behind. We will finish the day with an overnight train ride to Xi’an.

Day 5 - Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an City WallsThe Wild Goose Pagoda is a square building that is 64 meters high with a winding spiral staircase. Once ascended, it leads to a spectacular view. The City Walls are an amazing example of how the ancient Chinese defended their cities. These thick walls have repelled invaders since the 7th century and were reinforced in the 14th century. The only way into the city was through one of the four, intricately decorated, and impenetrable gatehouses.

Day 6 - Terracotta Army Museum, Huaqing Hot SpringsWe will see more than 8,000 life sized terracotta soldiers and horses dating back over 2,000 years, that have been unearthed and restored. Remarkably, each warrior has an individual expression and their headdress and design shows which rank of the army they belonged. The springs have been attracting visitors for nearly 2,500 years with mineral rich waters that emerge at around 43°C. A haunt of many former emperors, it’s now a complex of bathing houses and pools dating back to the Tang Dynasty. We will ride the overnight train back to Beijing.

Day 7 - Summer Palace, Friendship Store & Silk Alley in Beijing The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) was a grand imperial palace and royal garden of the Qing Dynasty. The palaces are located in a vast public park, two-thirds of which is a lake and imperial gardens in a classic Chinese style making it one of the most scenic spots in Beijing. Next students will visit the Friendship Store and Silk Alley, two of the best shopping paradises in the city. Students can haggle for souvenirs such as silk garments, handmade carpets, craft articles, cloth-ing and books.

Day 8 - Return to Moscow

CHINA, Beijing-History & Art


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Trip Leader: Rick SmithDates: March 18-23, 2012Number of students: 32Estimated costs to parents: $1600** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive in Split & Travel to VisAfter arrival in Split, the AAS group will enjoy a historical walking tour of Split Old Town and take a ferry to Vis. Hotel check in and dinner.

Days 2-5 - Kayaking, Biking, Caving and HikingThe AAS group will be divided into four activity groups. Each group will complete a kayak trip, one day mountain biking, one day caving, one day hiking and one day tour of the island. During the afternoons, AAS students will also visit a local school to gain insight into the life on a small island and in Croatia. There will be options of indoor football or volleyball games with the students from the school.


Experience a variety of activities on the stunningly unspoiled island of Vis where physical challenges are combined with cultural experiences. See the Croatian island of Vis by foot, peddle and paddle power! Kayak into remote bays, hike to a cave that was the hideout of Tito. Cycle to fishing villages and wander around the Old Town.

CROATIA, Split-Active


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Downhill skiing and snowboarding activities will be offered throughout the week on this trip. Ruka has 29 ski slopes in excellent condition with the longest slope of 1300 m. Students will be accompanied by instructors for all abilities and there is an emphasis on ‘beginner’ level skiers and snowboarders. The ski school in Ruka is the biggest and oldest professional ski school in Finland. This trip will be an outstanding combination of outdoor winter activity and cultural exploration. Due to the nature of the activities involved on this trip, students are expected to be adventurous and prepared for chal-lenging physical activity throughout the week.

Day 1 - Arrival at Kuusamo and transfer to Ruka After the arrival at Kuusamo airport, students and chaperones will be transferred to Ruka ski resort.

Days 2-3 Skiing/Snowboarding throughout the day and group activities in the evenings (bowling, movies, shopping, nature walks and journaling).

Day 4 - Activity dayThe day will be spent participating in traditional snow games and orienteering in the forest.

Day 5-6 Skiing/Snowboarding throughout the day and group activities in the evenings (bowling, movies, shopping, nature walks and journaling).


Trip Leader: Charlie SempleDates: March 18-24, 2012Number of students: 20Estimated costs to parents: $*1500 (with own equipment), $*1650 (with equipment rental)* Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

FINLAND, Ruka-Skiing & Snowboarding


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Trip Leader: Agnes WallerDates: March 17-24, 2012Number of students: 16Estimated costs to parents: $400** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - ArrivalAAS group will fly to Lyon and be met by representatives of Lycee Assomption Bellevue. Students will meet their host families and settle in.

Day 2 - Getting to Know YouStudents spend the day with their host family.

Day 3 - LyonWe will have an official welcome breakfast at the school and set off on a day of sightseeing to visit the city center and maybe do some shopping. In the afternoon, we will go to the cinema to watch a French movie.

Day 4 - VienneOur group will have the opportunity to discover the charms of a French provincial town. We will go to the nearby town of Vienne to visit the Gallo-Roman museum and learn about Lyon’s Roman history. After lunch at a typical local restaurant, we will visit the Roman monuments in the town.

Day 5 - Lumiere Museum, Cathédrale de Fourvière, Old LyonAfter gathering at school, our group will visit the Lumiere Museum. The famous Lumiere brothers, who invented cinematography, were from Lyon and their house is now a museum. We will take the funicular up the hill to reach the Cathédrale de Fourvière. This cathedral is on top of a hill and offers great views. Afterwards, we will walk down to explore the historical heart of the city, the quartier Saint Jean, and eat at a creperie before doing a scav-enger hunt.

Day 6 - PérougesThe day will start with the trip to Pérouges, a very well preserved medieval town where many movies were filmed. In the afternoon, we will go to visit the bird park of Villars-les-Dombes.

Day 7 - Lycee Assomption Bellevue schoolIn the morning our group will go to school to attend some classes. We will share a school-sponsored group lunch with our host students. In the afternoon, a variety of activities may be organized depending on the group’s wishes. Options include a silk weaving workshop, a visit to the Textile Museum, the Museum of the French Resistance, the Puppet Museum, the aquarium or other points of interest.


This trip is open to all students in grades 9, 10 and 11. Even if you don’t speak French, you can discover and enjoy French culture. If you are studying French, it is a great opportunity to improve your French language skills and deepen your understanding of French culture. This trip is part of the school exchange between AAS and Lycee Bellevue, and students are hosted by families of the Lycee Bellevue community. Being part of the host family entails that the students spend evenings and the whole day Sunday with them. Students who participate are expected to host the French students in return when they come to AAS in May 2012.

FRANCE, Lyon-Student Exchange


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Trip Leader: Kees KuijlaarsDates: March 19-23, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: $400** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive in Berlin, ReichstagAfter our arrival, Norman Foster’s magnificent rebuilding of the Reichstag will be the start of our visit. Students will appreciate the sense of German ambition at the end of the 19th century, its utter destruction by 1945, and the aspirational open hopes of post-1990 Germany. The Rooftop viewing dome offers superb views of the city. Later we will walk around to see Berlin at night.

Day 2 - German Historical Museum & Museum Island, Pergammon Museum, TV TowerToday we’ll see German Historical Museum and Museum Island. Students will appreciate the search for a Ger-man identity of the late 19th century: the collections from the Orient and Natural History all served to validate the national identity. The Pergammon Museum makes an excellent comparison to Moscow’s Pushkin Museum in its depiction of antiquities from Greece and Rome. Later on the day, we will visit the TV Tower, Berlin’s highest structure at 365m that has an excellent viewing gallery.

Day 3 - Bauhaus Dessau, Topography of Terror, Holocaust MuseumWe will start the day with visit to the Bauhaus Dessau building. The influences of Bauhaus design and Weimar culture are worldwide and long ranging. The next stop is at the Topography of Terror, an open-air exhibition con-tained in the former cellar of Gestapo HQ which illustrates terrors and crimes of Nazi era. The day will end near the Brandenburg Gate with time for reflection at the Holocaust Museum.

Day 4 - Berlin Wall, Stasi Museum, Evening WalkThe day will start with a walking tour of the Berlin Wall that divided the city until 1989. We will then visit the Stasi Museum, which looks at life behind the Iron Curtain. In the evening we will walk from Karl Marx Allee to Unter den Linden.


After Moscow, no other city shaped the landscape of Europe in the twentieth century more than Berlin. This history themed trip will take students on a chronological journey of Germany from the formation of the Reich in 1871, through two world wars, to division and then unification by 1989. The relationship between Germany and Russia/USSR has been a central foreign policy concern for both countries during the twentieth century, and the purpose of this trip would be to enable students to develop an understanding that would support their understanding of both the IB history programme as well as international affairs issues that affect the region today.

GERMANY, Berlin-History


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Habitat for Humanity International builds, rehabilitates and repairs simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner families, volunteers, and donations of money and materials. Students will actively participate in the construction of a house or houses. The emphasis is not on what you can do, but on your desire to work. Through your willingness to partner with people in need, you’ll learn about a host community’s customs, cul-ture and economic circumstances. You’ll form an once-in-a-lifetime bond with other members of your team as you travel, live, work, and eat together in this life-changing experience. As a participant, you’ll experience giving of yourself in a new and diverse environment. All participants must be at least 15 years old by the first day of the trip. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Day 1 - Travel to Porto After arrival, AAS group will meet with our contact from Habitat for Humanity and tour the work site.

Day 2 - Tour PortoPorto is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest European centers. It was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Ro-man Empire.

Day 3-6 - Build Houses in BragaThe students will be divided into groups to work on a number of houses at various stages of building. Students will be supervised by both the accompanying chaperones and by licensed building contractors. For grade 11 students, this work can count towards CAS hours.


PORTUGAL, Braga-Habitat for HumanityTe

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Trip Leaders: Cynthia HogwoodDates: March 17-23, 2012Number of students: 13Estimated costs to parents: $1200** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.


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Trip Leaders: Lidia Santa-Maria & Mary RizosDates: March 19-23, 2012Number of students: unlimitedEstimated costs to parents: None

Day 1-2 -Trip to OrionThe two AAS groups will travel to the foster village of Orion (Kaluga region, 75 km) to distribute donations, social-ize and teach.

Day 3 - AAS Activity Day and Trip to an Orphanage 28The AAS ‘Group 1’ will host a group of guests from Orion who are less privileged than our students. The visitors will have a chance to enjoy our facilities and attention for a full day. The day will be spent playing in the snow, participating in special classes, playing games, swimming, cooking and visiting the museum of retro mobiles. ‘Group 2’ will travel to Orphanage 28 in Moscow.

Day 4 - Trip to Kitezh The two AAS groups will travel to the foster village of Kitezh (Kaluga region, 300 km) to distribute donations, socialize and teach.

Day 5 - AAS Activity Day and Trip to NastenkaThe AAS ‘Group 2’ will host a group of guests from Orphanage 28. The visitors will have a chance to enjoy our facilities and attention for a full day. The day will be spent participating in special classes, playing games, swim-ming, cooking and visiting the museum by Darwin. ‘Group 1’ will travel to Nastenka.

Meet and work with a variety of Moscow’s less privileged people. Receive insight into another world while helping members of our community. We will host some activity days at the school (with the potential for swimming, skating, cooking), along with inside games and socializing with children from a variety of in-stitutions. Days will also be spent at orphanages, with our aim being socializing, distributing donations and teaching. There will be three day-trips to foster villages and two days at AAS. The exact days may be changed closer to Discovery Week due to school needs and the school event calendar.

RUSSIA, Moscow-Community Service


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Trip Leaders: Leon McCluskey & Romita KhindriaDates: March 19-23, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: None

Day 1 - Moscow region: Sergeiev Posad A visit to the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura (the Greek word “laura” means monastery), founded in the 1340s by Reverend Sergius of Radonezh, whose name was given to the town. For centuries the monastery has been the biggest religious and cultural center of the Russian State. Icon painters Andrey Rublev and Daniel Chorny worked there; they decorated with frescoes the main church of the monastery - the Trinity Cathedral. Lunch will be a Russian traditional meal.

Day 2 - Kremlin Armoury & Architecture Ensemble, State Tretyakov GalleryThe Kremlin Armoury is one of the oldest museums in Moscow. See the amazing collection that includes jewels, weaponry and art. Feel the sense of history! In the afternoon, we will walk over the river to the State Tretyakov Gallery. The Gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art and artists who have made а contribution to the history of Russian art or been closely connected with it.

Day 3 - State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia, Metro tour, New Tretyakov Gallery, Sculpture ParkThe State Central Museum is a facility for studying Russian civilization from the second half of the nineteenth century up to present day. Historical sources and documentary records, which reflect social, political and eco-nomic history are collected, studied and exhibited. After a metro tour, we will visit the New Tretyakov Gallery which showcases avant-garde artists. The nearby Sculpture Park started as a collection of Soviet statues. These discredited icons have now been joined by contemporary work.

Day 4 - Space Museum, Winzavod Moscow Center for Contemporary ArtSee displays that trace the history of space exploration when it was still viewed unequivocally as mankind’s last great adventure at the Space Museum. Winzavod is a former wine-bottling factory that was transformed into one of the city’s most active art scenes. The post-industrial complex is home to five of the capital’s most prestigious art galleries.

Day 5 - Art WorkshopSpend an inspiring day creating in an art workshop with a guest artist.

Please note the days may be interchangeable based on transport, opening times and tour guide availability.

Holiday at home! Be a Moscow tourist in the day and get to sleep in the comfort of your own bed each eve-ning. This cultural and historical tour offers the opportunity for Russians and ex-pats alike to discover the magic of Moscow. Whether you’re a native Moscovite or just visiting, everyone will want to know about your experiences in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Make sure that you can talk about more than Pok-rovsky Hills or Rosinka at your university interview. Sign up now for a week of Moscow Magic!

RUSSIA, Moscow-History & Arts


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Trip Leaders: Mark Anderson & Patrice MacPhersonDates: March 18-23, 2012Number of students: 32Estimated costs to parents: $1350** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona, Flamenco Evening After their arrival to Barcelona, our students will settle in and have lunch. In the evening, they will walk down Ramblas to enjoy dinner and a Flamenco show at Tablao Cordobes.

Day 2 - Gaudi Tour and Cycling Tour of BarcelonaThe morning will be spent learning about the wonderful architecture of Barcelona and particularly the works of Antoni Gaudi. The group will go for a bus tour to view Casa Batllo and La Basilica de la Sagrada Familia with a licensed English speaking guide. After lunch, the students will either experience the city via guided bicycle tour or visit the Maritime Museum. In the evening, half of the group will attend a paella cooking class, learn about Catalan cooking and create their own dinner! The other half will have time for dinner or shopping in the area of the hotel.

Day 3 - Figueres, the Dali Museum and Costa Brava AreaIn the morning the students will travel by bus to the city of Figueres to visit the Dali Museum with a licensed Eng-lish speaking guide. After the museum, students will visit the Costa Brava area to eat lunch and visit some of the small traditional villages along the coast. They will have, weather permitting, an opportunity to engage in sporting activites such as volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee. In the evening, dinner will be organized at a local restaurant, Divinus, where they will dine on local specialties such as manchego cheese and jamon serrano.

Day 4 - Flamenco and FC Barcelona Stadium (Camp Nou) OR Picasso MuseumIn the morning, students will walk with a licensed guide to a dance studio where they will learn the Flamenco. After lunch, students will have a guided English speaking tour of Camp Nou football stadium or the Picasso Museum. In the evening, half of the group will attend a paella cooking class, learn about Catalan cooking and create their own dinner! The other half will have time for dinner or shopping in the area of the hotel.

Day 5 - Hike and tour of Medieval Villages in the La Garrotxa ParkStudents will travel to the historic medieval village of Besalu. After a brief break and snack, students will hike in the La Garrotxa Park with two English-speaking guides. After the hike, students will return to Besalu, where they will have the opportunity to eat lunch in some traditional Catalan restaurants, shop for local crafts and tour the historic village. The group will then return to Barcelona in time for some last-minute shopping and dinner on their last night.

Day 6 – Return to Moscow

Enjoy a cultural tour of Barcelona with the best of Spanish food, entertainment, art and living. Savor tapas, enjoy a flamenco show and view Salvador Dali’s work. Visit Barca’s Camp Nou (FC Barcelona’s Football stadium) and the medieval village of Besalu. And….hike and relax in the Pyrenees Mountains. All activities are guide accompanied.

SPAIN, Barcelona-Culture


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Trip Leader: Bryn WillDates: March 18-23, 2012Number of students: 10Estimated costs to parents: $1800** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona, Flamenco evening After their arrival to Barcelona, the students will settle in and have lunch. In the evening, they will walk down Ramblas to enjoy dinner and a Flamenco show at Tablao Cordobes.

Day 2 - Yacht Point Sailing SchoolStudents will be learning basic essential knowledge including a safety briefing, introduction to the boat, rope and equipment handling and basic sailing at the Yacht Point Sailing School (YPSS). They will also do the shopping for the ship’s galley for the week and have dinner.

Day 3 - YPSS and DinnerThe day’s lessons will include sail handling, course setting, and handling the boat under power. Dinner will be with the full group at Divinus Restaurant.

Day 4 - YPSS and Cooking WorkshopStudents will learn more sail handling, helming experience and anchoring. In the afternoon, they will experience a paella cooking and eating class.

Day 5 - Sailing Cruise and Race The week’s lessons will culminate in a sailing cruise and mini race for awards. The evening is spent shopping and dining.

Day 6 – Return to Moscow

Experience Barcelona from a new perspective—by harnessing the power of the wind and learning how to sail! In conjunction with the other AAS trip to Barcelona, this select group of ten students will spend their days learning how to cruise the Mediterranean by keelboat; then they will join up with the rest of the AAS folk for evening activities. Knowing how to sail is a fabulous skill that will last a lifetime, and Yacht Point Sail-ing School in Barcelona is a registered Royal Yacht Association facility with the ability to award RYA sailing certificates.

SPAIN, Barcelona-Sailing


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Trip Leader: Joseph KhanDates: March 18-23, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: $1350** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive GöremeArrive in Kayseri and transfer to the group hotel in Göreme.

Day 2 - Zelve Open Air Museum, PasabagA morning drive will take us to the famous Open Air Museum of Zelve. Zelve was a small village cut out of the rocks. It was inhabited until the 1950’s. We will learn about the lifestyle of the people who lived in the caves. Head torches will be provided for an exciting 10 minute walk through an ancient tunnel. After Zelve, we hike to the Pasabag area to see the two and three-headed fairy chimneys. After lunch, we will hike the beautiful Zemi valley through orchards and gardens. Our hike will end in Goreme village. Total walking time is 4-5 hours.

Day 3 - Akvadi, Cavusin, Avanos & Pottery MakingToday we will discover the best valley in Cappadocia on mountain bikes. Our ride will start from Goreme and ascend towards Uchisar Castle. Along the ride, we will stop by the ridge to see the interesting rocks of Akvadi (White Valley). During our descent we will stop at Cavusin, leave our bikes at a tea house, and walk around the old village. We return to Goreme. After lunch we will continue to Avanos to discover the 4000 year-old pottery making tradition with an opportunity to try it. Total ride is about 15 km; 10 km off road, with an 150m ascent. Day 4 - Avanos Horse Ranch, Sarihidir, Turkish dinnerToday we return to Avanos village to go horseback riding. We ride from Avanos to Sarihidir village along the lon-gest Turkish river, Kizilirmak. We will ride in two guided groups. After a morning of riding, we return for lunch. In the afternoon we will experience cooking a traditional Turkish dinner.

Day 5 - Cultural day: Goreme Open Air Museum, DerinkuyuToday we will visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, which is famous for its Byzantine monasteries and the amaz-ingly preserved frescoes. After lunch, we drive to Derinkuyu to visit an underground city. The underground city is a huge hidden city under the plains of Central Anatolia, with eight levels. “Swiss Cheese” is the best way to imagine its caverns with connecting tunnels everywhere. There is a late afternoon drive back to the Hotel.

Day 6 - Return to MoscowTransfer to the airport of Kayseri. Travel by air back to Moscow.

Join us for an excellent week of outdoor and cultural adventure in Central Turkey, a land of rock-hewn dwellings and churches. We will be hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and visiting cultural land-marks! A Discovery Week full of activity and excitement!

TURKEY, Cappadocia-Active


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Trip Leaders: Paul MooneyDates: March 18-23, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: $1300** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrive in Istanbul, Ortakoy, Boat CruiseAfter arrival in Istanbul, our students will transfer to Ortakoy. This quaint area is a great example of religious tolerance and mutual respect as a synagogue, mosque and church stand side by side. It has a rich cultural mosaic created from the Greek, Jewish, Armenian and Turkish communities. In the afternoon our group will take a cruise up the Bosphorus on a ferry, gliding past opulent palaces, exquisite mosques, imposing fortresses and traditional wooden Ottoman man-sions. Then we will check into the hotel in Sultanahmet.

Day 2 - Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Grand Bazaar, CIYAThe Roman Hippodrome was historically the scene of chariot races, political riots, horse-back riding games and archery competitions. The next stop is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), built between 1609 and 1616. From there we will walk to the Underground Cistern, which provided water storage for the ancient city. Next we go to the world’s larg-est covered market, the Grand Bazaar. With more than 4000 shops, it is a spectacle to see! At a carpet store, we’ll see rug-making in process. Dinner will be out at CIYA.

Day 3 - Miniaturk, Treasure Hunt & Spice Market, Beyoglu, Flower Arcade & Fish MarketMiniaturk is one of the world’s largest miniature parks with over a 100 historical models. At the Spice Market we will see oils, herbs and other products. While there, the group will partake in a treasure hunt for recipe ingredients. In the after-noon the students will go to Beyoglu. Istanbul’s old European quarter is now a vibrantly renewed cultural district. We will also tour the Flower Arcade and Fish Market – a hustling and bustling place with restaurants and mussel vendors at its entrance. Optional chance to experience a Turkish Bath.

Day 4 - Dolmabahce Palace, Military Museum, Bilgi University & Santralistanbul, Rahmi Koc Museum, Whirling Dervish CeremonyAfter breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Dolmabahce. Built in 19th century, it is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. The Military Museum contains artifacts of warfare from the Ottoman era through WWII. Santralistanbul was once a power station and now a museum of energy with many interactive exhibits. At the Rahmi Koc Museum students will see items dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. Later in the afternoon, we will witness a Whirling Dervish ceremony for religious remembrance.

Day 5 - Cafer Aga Medresesi, Hagia Sophia Basilica, Topkapi Palace Museum Treasury & Harem, Cooking AlaturkaWe will head off to Cafer Aga Medresesi, a school for Turkish arts and crafts. There we will have lessons in Turkish calligraphy, paper marbling, or jewelry making. The students will then visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia Basilica. For many centuries it was the largest church in the world and today is the fourth largest. An afternoon visit to the Topkapi Palace Museum will include collections of jewelery, porcelain and costumes of sultans. Part of the tour will include the Sultan’s harem. The evening will end with a cooking class of traditional Turkish dishes!


Part Europe, part Asia, this tour explores both! Mosques, bazaars, a private boat trip on the Bosphorus and fantastic food.

TURKEY, Istanbul


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Trip Leaders: Peter Assimokopoulos & Colleen NelsonDates: March 19-24, 2012Number of students: 24Estimated costs to parents: $1150** Trip costs are subject to change depending on EURO-$ exchange rate, Ruble - $ exchange rate, and the actual costs of air travel.

Day 1 - Arrival, PerformanceAfter arrival at London Heathrow airport, our group will be transferred to the hotel. After settling in, students will have time to explore Queensway Area, have dinner and then see the first performance.

Day 2 - Tate Modern Gallery, Old Operating Theatre, Southwark & London Dungeons, PerformancesVisual Art students will head to the Tate Modern Gallery for the morning. It is the most-visited modern art gallery in the world, with around 4.7 million visitors per year. Drama students will start the day with a visit to the Old Operating Gallery, an operating or emergency room found in the roof space of an English Baroque Church. We’ll then go to the Southwark & London Dungeons an interactive historic horror exhibit for an educationally chilling experience. After lunch, both groups will attend a second performance. The evening will conclude with a third performance after dinner.

Day 3 -Art Museum, London Bridge & Tombs, Tower of London, the Blood & Tears WalkVisual Art students will start the day with a visit to the art gallery of their choice. The Drama students will visit the London Bridge and Tombs. This uniquely interactive adventure takes you back in time delving through the history of the bridge while featuring real life actors, stunning special effects and animations. The groups will combine in the afternoon to go to the Tower of London, an imposing fortress with many layers of history, which has become one of the symbols of royalty. The after dinner Blood and Tears Walk follows the story of London’s dark and murky past connected with grave robbers, serial killers, witchcraft and conspiracy.

Day 4 - Art Museum, ‘Jack the Ripper’ Tour, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, PerformanceVisual Art students will start the day with a visit to an art gallery but get to experience the site from a workers per-spective. Drama students will go on a ‘Jack the Ripper’ Tour which will explore how an Autumn of Terror in 1888 is still chilling today. The afternoon visit to Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum will see everything you can imagine and plenty more you can’t. The evening will conclude with the entire group attending a fourth performance.

Day 5 - Sightseeing & ShoppingAfter packing, there will be time for the students to have more opportunities for sightseeing and shopping before going to the airport and taking an overnight flight to Moscow.

Day 6 - Early Morning Arrival in Moscow

Enjoy a visit to the city that will encompass an overview of art, pageantry, mystery, horror and theatre! Students will even see four different performances in West-End and beyond. Exact performances will be determined closer to the trip date.

UK, London-Theatre & Art

MISSIONT H E A N G L O - A M E R I C A N S C H O O L O F M O S C O W

AAS empowers each student to Respect Self & Others, Love Learning and

Contribute as a Globally Aware Citizen in order to achieve individual academic

and holistic excellence.

www.aas.ru

discovery week 2011

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