
	Scandinavian Seminar’s emphasis for over fifty years has been on life long learning and cultural exchange. We know that an important component of the mission of independent schools is to provide students with a global perspective and a deeper multi-cultural understanding. Spending time in another country, learning first hand about a new culture, seeing new places and meeting new people inspires us to want to continue discovering throughout our lives. As our shared world becomes increasingly more global, it is imperative for our students and for us to understand more about people and other lands. What it is really like to live in another country and what it is it really like to be in an unfamiliar place. We all learn best through our own experiences and need to understand that many similarities and differences exist between cultures. It is through these in-depth ISSAC experiences abroad that students and faculty can gain new perspectives and open new doors for our shared future in one world. The Independent School Study Abroad Consortium (ISSAC) is comprised of a group of private secondary schools located throughout the New England area and beyond. Through a unique partnership with Scandinavian Seminar, member schools participate in the creation of a series of innovative programs abroad that will benefit their students, faculty and staff. In addition, these specialized study abroad programs will serve as powerful admissions and marketing tools, as well providing distinctive professional development and networking opportunities.

	Why Join ISSAC? Address the importance of a global curriculum. Assist in developing programs that are right for your school. Make a difference in the lives of your students Provide professional development and networking opportunities for your faculty Benefit from co-marketing plans; attract students and faculty Take advantage of registration priority and generous discounts to ISSAC schools. No membership costs. Benefit from Scandinavian Seminar's 55 years of experience in organizing and planning exceptional, unique study abroad programs for students and adults. Work with experienced faculty and staff in host countries, and an extensive partnership network in 25 countries.

	FAQ *Q) Did Scandinavian Seminar just start coordinating student* *trips?* A) No, Scandinavian Seminar has been offering semester and year abroad study programs to students since 1949 and coordinates approximately 100 Elderhostel programs in over 25 countries per year. *Q) Are the trips designed to teach Scandinavian languages?* A) No, all ISSAC programs will be conducted in English although language study can be a component if requested in any of the countries. *Q) Aren't there already too many international programs for* *students?* A) Yes, there are many organizations that plan study abroad programs, especially for college students. But most are language-based. Very few programs offer any flexibility as far as curriculum or place of study are concerned. Programs offered through ISSAC are not pre-designed programs, but are truly customized to meet the specific needs of individual schools and groups. *Q) How are your programs unique?* A) Our programs are planned and attended exclusively by students, faculty and parents at independent schools. Topic selection by experts at schools guarantees that the programs are connected to the academic curriculum or the interest of a particular group of friends, or colleagues. *Q) What will the participating member schools have to do?* A) Faculty and administration at partcipating consortium schools may be very involved in the specifics of program planning, or may choose simply to participate in the programs that are designed by others. Consortium schools, once they decide which programs interest them, will market them directly to their faculty and families. In the future we intend to plan travel programs for alumni as well. *Q) Can the faculty go abroad first to meet the Scandinavian* *staff and "check it* *out"?* A) Yes, a number of schools have expressed interest in sending their faculty, for example, their Environmental Studies teacher, to Norway with a group of teachers from other consortium schools the first summer. The following summer they would participate again with students. We can offer very generous discounts to schools interested in a long-term partnership. *Q) Who are Scandinavian Seminar's staff abroad, and what are* *their credentials* *and experience?* A) All of Scandinavian Seminar's teachers/experts have an academic background, for example a degree in education, candidate degree from university (between Masters and Ph.D), or specialized talent, such as artist or poet. Scandinavian Seminar takes pride in the fact that its teachers and experts are not only academically sound, but are excellent communicators and can eloquently present material and ideas to their students and provide valuable insight into the topic and country. All of the staff have extensive experience working with students, and the majority hold positions as administrators and or faculty at folk schools or colleges in the host country. *Q) What about costs? And who arranges the flights?* A) Scandinavian Seminar works with a well-established Travel Agency in Brattleboro, VT that has been making flight arrangements for many years at good rates.