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World Immersion: Curriculum

Facilitated by Sebastian Dittgen

Guest Lecturers:
Martina Namuddu
Ciara Moetz
Ursula Frauchiger
Cesar Ferrerya
Magnus Semmingsen
Karen Ng

March 13th, 8pm-9pm EST: Parent Debriefing
  • Open Q/A with parents
  • If you are unable to attend, parents may request alternate times to debrief.
March 15th, Week 1: Introduction – What in the World?
  • Student introductions
  • Country Naming Game
  • Overview of our world
  • Discussion: How do we talk about people who come from different cultures?
  • World Map Competition
March 22nd, Week 2: Africa
  • Discussion: What do we know about Africa?
  • The Many Countries and People of Africa
  • Africa Knowledge Game
  • Uganda introduction
March 29th, Week 3: Uganda – Guest Speaker: Martina Namuddu, Chief of Staff, Global Livingston Institute
  • Discussion with Ms. Namuddu
    • Chief of Staff of the Global Livingston Institute, a non-profit organization that conducts community-based development in East Africa.
    • Born and raised in Uganda, she now lives in Kampala, the capital. She is fluent in 6 languages and can speak many more!
  • Africa Wrap-Up
  • Asia Introduction: The Many Countries and People of Asia
April 5th, Week 4: Iran – Guest Speaker: Ciara Moetz, Master’s Student, Harvard University
  • Discussion on immigration around the world
  • Discussion with Ms. Moetz
    • Ciara is a student at Harvard University and an advocate for her heritage.
    • Born in California to Iranian and Italian parents, Ciara has dedicated her life to sharing cultural knowledge of Iran.
  • Students prepare for Heritage Exploration
April 19th, Week 5: Asia Wrap-Up, Heritage Exploration
  • Calendars of the World Activity
  • Finish Asia unit, Sebastian and Kanji will share stories of their cultural background.
  • Heritage Exploration: Students will investigate their cultural heritage and share traditions or stories to the class.
April 26th, Week 6: South America Introduction
  • Introduction to South America – What is Latin America?
  • Languages of the World Game
  • Introduction to Peru – comparison to its neighbor, Brazil
May 3rd, Week 7: Peru – Guest Speaker: Cesar Ferreyra, Mental Health Counselor
  • Discussion with Cesar Ferrerya
    • Mr. Ferreyra is a youth mental health counselor who immigrated with his family from Peru to the USA two decades ago. His unique perspective on living in both countries gives insight into the similarities and differences between the two nations.
    • Introduction to Peru and a comparison to another South American country, Brazil
May 10th, Week 8: Switzerland – Guest Speaker, Ursula Frauchiger, German Professor
  • Introduction to Switzerland, the Fondue Pot of Europe
  • Discussion with Ursula Frauchiger, Professor of German, Gibb University of Bern
    • Besides being a Professor, Ursula is also involved in the arts, where she has led many successful theater productions.
    • She is also the vice president of Stanley Thomas Johnson Stiftung, a foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for victims of conflict and violence around the world through projects in the fields of culture, education, humanitarian aid and medical research.
May 17th, Week 9: Antarctica and the Artic: Our Melting World – Guest Speaker, Magnus Semmingsen, Arctic Whale and Northern Lights Guide
  • World Environment Think Tank Discussion
  • Discussion with Magnus Semmingsen, Arctic Whale and Northern Lights Guide
    • Magnus was born and raised in Tromsø, Norway. He has lived in Italy and Australia before returning back to Tromsø.
    • Magnus is an ambassador for the Arctic and an avid snowboarder. He has native Sammi heritage and has witnessed climate change with his own eyes throughout his life.
May 23rd, Week 10: Oceania – Guest Speaker, Karen Ng, Co-Founder of Hibiscus Asia+Pacific Forum
  • Oceania Introduction
  • Discussion with Karen Ng, Co-Founder of Hibiscus Asia+Pacific Forum
    • Ms. Ng has a background in Public Health. She received her Masters of Public Health from Columbia University and created the Lupus Asian Network (LANtern), the only national hospital-based bilingual support and education program dedicated to serving Asian Americans with lupus and their families.
    • More recently, she co-founded Hibiscus, a Honolulu-based non-profit organization, brings together the leading Asia + Pacific innovators, investors, CEOs, and policy makers to collaborate on building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
May 31st, Week 11: North America – Guest Speaker, Professor from Cayuga Nation, NY
  • Who lives here? A history of human migration, conflict, and cohabitation
  • Native America and the First Nations Discussion
  • Discussion with a Professor from Cayuga Nation, NY.
June 7th, Week 12: Final Class – Model UN
  • Each student will choose a country to represent. Students will advocate for their country, bringing to attention traditions, customs, and culture of the nation, as well as an issue the country faces.
  • Final farewells, Final reflections
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