Experiential Learning

Where can you go and see the best of everything? New York, of course! From tourist attractions to improv workshops with Broadway performers, TFS students experienced the best that New York has to offer. “Everything is world-class, even the smells and the bagels,” said Performing Arts Director and chaperon Jonathan Roberts. “The experiences – you can’t get anywhere else.”

Upon arrival, the group of 17 hit the ground running shopping in Times Square before visiting the Museum of Modern Art and taking a trip to the top of the SUMMIT to get a 360-degree view of the entire city.

“We went to all the touristy places,” said junior Isabella McClain. “We went to two Broadway shows, we hiked through the city, we took the subway – we went to Central Park. We felt like we were actually in the flow of New York, not just visiting.”

Seeing Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh in person was a highlight of McClain’s trip to the Museum of Modern Art; however, creating art to hang with thousands of others as part of an interactive exhibit was quite memorable. “I drew a picture of a tree and all my friends together,” said McClain.

The Meet the Artist and Improv workshop was a favorite for most of the group. An actor from Little Shop of Horrors joined them and gave them pointers and life stories from someone who lives and works in the Broadway scene, which they carried into their improv performances. “We got to tap into our strengths and see what we could do,” said McClain.

On two of their evenings, the group went to Off-Broadway’s “The Little Shop of Horrors” and the huge production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway. “It was insane,” said McClain. “The technical elements we use in our performances are there, but theirs are incredible. They can make glow-in-the-dark writing on the wall. There was so much work with the lighting, which was so cool to see in person.”

TFS students watched real people diving into their craft and working in New York City, making their dreams come true. Their desire to dream big and think outside the box grew as they experienced the fullness of New York. “It brought the part inside of me that wants to do that to life – I got to see it happening. It is not a faraway dream – people are doing it every day in New York,” said McClain. “It was such a fun trip.”

From white water rafting in the morning to a quick change of clothes for a hike in the afternoon, thirty-five TFS students embraced each moment exploring Costa Rica's lush flora and fauna, tasting the colorful exotic fruits, and experiencing the wildlife, the people, and the adventure.

It was junior Bailey Crumley's first time out of the country. "We tried a lot of interesting foods, and our adventures were filled with adrenaline rushes – white water rafting, zip-lining through the canopy, and hiking to giant waterfalls and volcanos."

The group visited La Chimba coffee plantation, where they learned the history of Costa Rican Arabica coffee. "We watched them roast the beans," said Crumley. "They told us how they bring the flavors out. We tasted the bean before and after it was roasted, and we learned the process they use to grow the plants – how important it is to take care of the soil to grow organic, pesticide-free coffee."

The leafcutter ants sparked students' curiosity as they watched them march along the ground during a night hike in the rainforest. 

They played in the dirt at Vida Campesina organic farm, where they saw how they use the land to farm sustainably. "They took us up a hill into a pavilion where there was a machine that crushed sugar cane," said Crumbley. "We got to run the machine and then tried the sugar cane." 

The Mid-mester trip was a rich experience, but visiting a local school was the highlight for the group. "The kids were so excited to see us and to have conversations with us in English," said Crumley. "They wanted to try their English and teach us their games. They shared fruit with us and made us key chains. It was fun to be with them and hear about their lives." 

Crumley observed that although it is not the wealthiest country, everyone is so unbelievably happy and has a positive outlook on life even though their situation isn't the best. "We are so blessed – so fortunate. I want to have a better outlook on life," she said. 

TFS Director of Security Dustin Rogers served as a chaperone on the trip. Rogers noticed that the TFS group was eager to connect with the students at the school. "They wanted to talk to and play with them," he said. "They saw that the kids worked hard, and they recognized that and appreciated it."

Science teacher and chaperone Liz Barraco was blown away by how much TFS students valued the opportunity to visit the school. She said the students enjoyed meeting and connecting with the younger students.

"I am struck by how resilient our students are," said Barraco. "The trip was phenomenal, but the itinerary pushed the students to keep going. They embodied the common saying in Costa Rica of Pura Vida, which translates to 'pure life' but means that we are lucky to be alive in all moments. Having a wonderful day? 'Pura Vida.' In the middle of a long, sweaty hike? 'Pura Vida.'"

Junior Jessica Cook felt like she was walking into a postcard when she stepped into the streets of Munich, Germany. “It was a sunny day – the sky was blue, and I was just wowed. I didn’t expect to be blown away,” said junior Cook. “The landscape and the scenery were the highlights for me. The Alps - I have not seen any mountains that big with snowcaps, and I loved the little towns at the foot of the mountains.” 

Upper school history teacher and chaperone Jennifer Cox said that seeing the Alps was a big moment for the entire group. “They had all learned about them at some point, so seeing them up close and personal--amazing,” said Cox. “The moment the students first glimpsed the Alps, there was a collective ‘It’s the ALPS!’ followed by all the ohhhhhhhs and ahhhhhhhs, and then, just stunned silence.”

All but one of the nine TFS students who traveled to Germany for Mid-mester had not been to Europe, and many had never traveled outside of the United States. “It was an invaluable experience for them to better understand life outside of their small-town USA bubble,” said TFS Director of Admissions and chaperone Anthony Cox. “They were able to see a little different way of life and experience things that were new and odd to them.”

The trip included touring multiple meaningful points of interest. Students visited the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg and various places in Bavaria, like Munich and Neuschwanstein Castle, along with the gut-wrenching visit to Dachau Concentration Camp. 

The group saw sections of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag Building and its rooftop dome in Berlin. “These moments created unforgettable experiences for our students and broadened their ability to comprehend and understand the world around them,” said Anthony Cox. “Some incredibly monumental events impacting the course of history took place in Germany, and to see that first hand –  it had a major impact on the students,” said Anthony Cox.

The trip allowed TFS students to immerse themselves in a different culture. “It pushed our students out of their comfort zones and required them to use the skills they have learned at TFS to adapt,” said Jennifer Cox. “None of our students had taken German, yet they picked up German words and phrases as the group made their way from the south end of the country towards the north.” The group learned to listen closely and worked to find ways to communicate. This was enhanced as they stepped into the normal everyday places like McDonald’s, the grocery store, and the open-air markets. 

Cook hopes this will be the beginning of more European trips. It helped her to see how impactful a study abroad experience will be. “Hopefully, it was not a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Cook. “It would be nice to go back.” 

From touring the grounds of Boone Hall plantation to standing barefoot in the sand holding a crab for the first time, sophomores soaked in Charleston's rich history and natural beauty. The trip also provided them with opportunities to explore coastal wildlife and habitats. 

The group shopped in Charleston Market, toured the Old Exchange, and visited Patriots Point. Sophomores took in the city via a Pirate History walking tour, which gave them a unique way to see the city. “I am fascinated with big cities,” said sophomore Cody Loonubon. “The city was not a skyscraper city, but full of smaller, unique buildings and large churches with cool architecture.” 

At the Avian Conservation Center, they had an up-close view of bird flight demonstrations and unique insight into the lives and adaptations of birds of prey. At the Sewee Environmental Education Center, they learned about the valuable ecosystems of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Francis Marion National Forest. 

The group also sailed on the Palmetto Breeze to see the coast from a different perspective and took a Barrier Island Eco Tour. “The trip out on the boat was beautiful. I loved the eco-tour,” said Loonubon. “We road a small boat towards the barrier reef, and then we got out and walked around the shore. There was a lot of driftwood and palmetto trees, and we got up close and personal with ghost crabs.” 

“The Charleston trip is a memory that the 10th graders will never forget,” said history teacher and chaperone Nancy Almoyan. “The way history is brought to life in Charleston is like nothing you could share in the classroom. It was quite an experience to witness the architecture with our own eyes and walk on the cobblestone street, not to mention the boat ride to a remote island to see marine biology in its untouched natural habitat. These are all aspects of the trip that are irreplaceable.” 

“History is brought to life in Charleston. We witnessed the architecture with our own eyes and walked the cobblestone streets, not to mention the boat ride to a remote island to see marine biology in its untouched natural habitat. These are all aspects of the trip that are irreplaceable."

The 9th-grade Mid-Mester trip to the Florida Atlantic coast offers students a unique, hands-on opportunity to engage with history, science, and technology beyond the classroom. 

The group visited the Kennedy Space Center, where students stepped into a world of space exploration with a first-hand look at the magnitude of human achievement and innovation, possibly inspiring future interests in STEM fields. The group participated in a Q&A with astronaut Ken Cameron, saw the original space shuttle, the Atlantis, and strapped in for a simulation of the space shuttle’s eight-and-a-half-minute ascent into orbit.

The Dolphin Encounter at Marineland provided unforgettable interactive experiences with dolphins. “Watching the excitement from the students during this encounter, where they made a personal connection to marine science and conservation, was one of my highlights,” said upper school history and journalism teacher and chaperon Audrey Borchers.

For freshman Abigail Bray, as a first-year student at TFS, the trip helped her to make friends. “I didn’t know anyone when we left, but I got to know people better,” she said. 

Bray also observed that the guides who shared about their work had pursued multiple career paths in their lifetime, which was reassuring for Bray. “I don’t feel as worried about what I will do with my life,” she said.

Bray also reflected on their time at Fort Matanzas in Saint Augustine as she gained an understanding of its significance to American history. “It was a really important fort. It was a place that was constantly invaded because it led to river and sea, and it was important to be able to protect it,” said Bray. 

Last but not least, the tour at Daytona International Speedway was equally impactful, blending engineering with real-world application. Witnessing the speedway firsthand and experiencing a track tour invited students to think about the blend of technology, physics, and sports science that makes racing possible. These moments made the trip worthwhile by sparking curiosity, building connections to classroom learning, and creating memories.

During College Exploration Week, students visited several campuses and collaborated with TFS counselors and faculty to focus on their college application process. The visits provided insights into campus life, admissions requirements, academic programs, and more. The group received valuable guidance, whether they were at the beginning of their college research or finalizing their applications. 

Students created a vision board to outline the steps they want to take as they explore colleges and complete applications. Afterward, the group visited several schools in the Georgia area, like Piedmont University, University of North Georgia, SCAD, Georgia Technological Institute, Young Harris College, and Berry College.  

The tours opened the door for senior Alana Strachan to weigh the difference between larger and smaller schools, gain insight into what college programs offer, and see what learning communities look like. “At Piedmont University, we saw the community and learned about the dorm experience,” she said. “It also helped me discover more about what I want to study, and I was able to see that a medium-sized school is a good fit for me.” Strachan plans to pursue a career in athletic training. 

The group spent time on campus at TFS, working on their college applications or focusing on identifying their ideal college criteria. They also started developing their college portfolios and resumes.

Senior Justin Smith appreciated how much he was able to accomplish. “It opened my eyes to the application process, and I made a lot of headway in applying to schools,” he said. As an international student, the process helped Smith understand what he must do in the upcoming months and weeks. “I need to make sure I am looking into colleges, scholarships, and schools open to international students. I know I can look at colleges like Mercer because they are open to international students and offer scholarships to international students.”

Senior Aysah Mcdonald plans to study business economics and finance. The college tours helped her establish what she should look for in an academic program, but she was inspired to also pay attention to the community to see that it is a good fit for her. “We learned so much.” 

The Mid-Mester job shadowing experience provided valuable exposure for juniors and seniors to understand different career paths. Students spent at least 20 hours shadowing in hospitals, real estate agencies, schools, hospitals, large and small businesses, and more. They also received instruction in essential skills like job application processes, resume building, interview techniques, and networking. 

My name is Rylee Vandiver. I am a senior at Tallulah Falls School. I participated in the Job Shadow Experience during Mid-Mester. I shadowed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Athens Regional Hospital in Athens, Georgia. 

I worked with three and four-pound babies. I fed them, checked their vitals, and took care of their specific needs. We fed them, burped them, bathed them, and changed out their sheets. Some of the babies needed more care than others. In between, I was either talking to parents, educating parents, or charting. 

It was so amazing. I had thought it would be a sad, loud, chaotic environment, but it was peaceful, calming, and positive. The camaraderie between the nursing staff was so strong. They were always willing to help each other out. One of the nurses has worked in the NICU for 40+ years. She was very intelligent and a very good teacher. 

I learned so much. I thought it would be tiring to work the 12-hour shifts, but I was in absolute awe. It felt like I was in a dream. It went by quickly –it was also probably adrenaline. I had thought about nursing, but I did not know. I thought I would try it and fell in love with it. Now, I want to be a NICU nurse.

My name is Miah Gragg. I am a senior at TFS. One day, I plan to own a small business. Before our job shadowing experiences, we met as a group to prepare. We created job resumes. We had individual help from Mr. Stille to review our resume. Gail Welborn, the director of human resources at Habersham Electric Membership Corporation, spoke to us about jobs, resumes, interviews, and what to expect. She covered everything we needed to know. 

I job shadowed at Rahab’s Rope – a small non-profit organization. We tagged products, took inventory, and helped customers. The director of sales, Jennifer Lundsford, taught me about their mission statement and showed me how communication takes place within their business. 

I learned how important it is to have strong connections in the business community because the more people you partner with and make friends with, the more traction you get and the more products you sell, and for Rahab’s Rope, the more people they can help. 

After my job shadowing experience, we came back to campus and worked on preparing for our mock interviews. We printed out our resumes and a job sheet that explained our job shadowing experience.  Jesse Owensby, Cornelia’s community development manager, interviewed me. She asked me in-depth questions, like “What are your weaknesses?” Now that I have had an interview, I won't be surprised when I have an interview.