International Travel

PACK A BAG – Travel the World with Assumption

At Assumption High School, international travel is more than a destination, it is an invitation to live our Mercy mission, expand global awareness, and develop compassionate leaders grounded in faith, service, and cultural understanding. Through mission immersion, exchange opportunities, and summer travel programs, students experience the world beyond the classroom while deepening their understanding of self, others, and God’s call to mercy.

Let the World Be a Classroom & Mercy Be a Lesson

Shaping Global Leaders

International travel at Assumption High School empowers young women to see the world with open hearts and courageous spirits. These experiences challenge students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally. They prepare students to lead with mercy, act with justice, and serve with compassion wherever life takes them.

An Expression of Mercy

International experiences at Assumption are rooted in our Mercy Core Values and our commitment to educating the whole person. Whether students are serving alongside global partners, welcoming international peers, or exploring new cultures, each experience is designed to foster courage, compassion, and a sense of responsibility to the world.

Formation, Safety, and Support

All international travel opportunities at Assumption are thoughtfully planned with student formation, safety, and support at the forefront. Programs include:

Pre-travel preparation and formation meetings
Clear communication with families
Comprehensive safety planning and insurance coverage
Post-travel reflection and integration into campus life

Travel Opportunities

ARISE Mission Trips

The ARISE Mission Trips invite Assumption students into meaningful international service experiences rooted in faith, reflection, and relationship. These immersive journeys call students to arise, as they step forward with courage, live the Gospel through action, and respond to the needs of the global Church with humility and compassion.

What Makes ARISE Unique

These trips are intentionally designed as more than service travel. Each experience weaves together prayer, cultural immersion, and sustained reflection—before, during, and after travel—so that students grow spiritually and personally while serving alongside our global partners. Students will:

Serve in partnership with established international mission organizations and Mercy-affiliated ministries
Engage in daily prayer, faith sharing, and guided reflection
Learn and reflect on Catholic Social Teaching and the Mercy Core Values
Build relationships grounded in mutual respect, dignity, and solidarity
Grow in empathy, leadership, and global responsibility

Formation & Preparation

Participation in ARISE includes a robust formation process:

Required pre-trip meetings focused on cultural awareness, faith development, group dynamics, and servant leadership
Post-trip reflection that helps students integrate their experiences into daily life and Assumption's campus community

Impact

ARISE experiences are often described by students as life-changing. Through service and encounter, participants can:

gain a deeper understanding of their faith, a broadened worldview, and a renewed sense of purpose
recognize their call to live mercy not only abroad, but at home
become compassionate leaders who see Christ in every person and respond with open hearts and willing hands

Mercy Ambassadors Exchange Program

One of the most cherished and long-standing international opportunities at Assumption is the Argentine Exchange Program, a cultural immersion partnership with Colegio Santa Ethnea, a Mercy school in Bella Vista, Argentina.

Program Structure

The Argentine Exchange is a true reciprocal exchange. Argentine students spend a full month in Louisville, living with host families and fully participating in daily school life. During their stay, girls attend Assumption and Mercy, while boys attend Trinity High School. In June, Assumption students travel to Argentina and live with the same host families, experiencing school, family life, and culture firsthand.

Cultural Immersion Experience

This program emphasizes complete cultural immersion. Students attend classes, share in everyday family routines, and explore Argentine culture.

A highlight of the month-long exchange is Argentina Night, when visiting students prepare and share a traditional Argentine meal with host families and members of the school community. It's an evening that celebrates relationship, hospitality, and cultural pride!

Impact

Participants consistently describe the Argentine Exchange as one of the most transformative experiences of their time at Assumption. The program fosters independence, deep cultural awareness, confidence, and lifelong international friendships while offering students a profound, personal understanding of global Mercy education.

By experiencing daily life in another country, and welcoming international students into our community, Mercy Ambassadors gain a lasting appreciation for the global reach and shared spirit of Mercy education.

Selection & Eligibility

Students and families complete a detailed application addressing academic readiness, social habits, and home life. Interviews help assess fit and ensure thoughtful pairing between Assumption and Argentine students. Final selection is based on the number of participating Argentine students and the strongest possible matches.

To be eligible, students must have completed Spanish II and be enrolled in Spanish III the following year. The program is typically open to sophomores and juniors, with maturity and readiness carefully considered.

Summer International Trips

Assumption offers international summer travel experiences designed to deepen academic learning, cultural understanding, and personal growth through immersive, well-supported programs. These trips are open to students who demonstrate readiness for travel, curiosity about the world, and a willingness to engage fully in the experience.

Each summer program blends education, cultural immersion, and reflection, allowing students to explore the world while strengthening independence, confidence, and global awareness.

What Students Gain from Summer Travel

Summer international programs provide students with:

Meaningful cultural immersion and global awareness
Academic and experiential learning beyond the classroom
Increased independence, adaptability, and confidence
Opportunities to explore faith, service, history, and culture in global contexts
Preparation for leadership and engagement in an interconnected world

Upcoming & Recent Summer Destinations

Costa Rica - Summer

Students engage in hands-on scientific field research while immersed in Costa Rican culture. This experience includes studying biodiversity and environmental sustainability, with a focus on researching antibiotic potential using leaf-cutter ants on a chocolate farm. The trip highlights ecological stewardship, inquiry-based learning, and global responsibility.

France & Italy - Spring/Summer

This cultural exploration begins in Paris, France, and continues through southern France and Venice, Italy. Students experience iconic landmarks, art, architecture, and history while gaining a broader understanding of European culture and global interconnectedness.

Greece - Spring/Summer

Students begin in Athens, exploring the foundations of literature, art, architecture, and mythology. The journey continues with a cruise to multiple Greek islands and a visit to Ephesus, including the traditional site of Mary’s home. It connects history, faith, and culture.

Hawaii - Summer

This U.S.–based travel experience focuses on history, culture, and service. Students explore significant historical landmarks such as Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona, examining World War II history and the importance of remembrance, leadership, and peace.

Ireland - Recent Summer

Students explored Ireland through the lens of Mercy history, visiting places central to Catherine McAuley and the founding of the Sisters of Mercy. Highlights included the House of Mercy, Blarney Castle, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral—offering a meaningful blend of faith, heritage, and cultural discovery.

Summer travel opportunities vary by year and are announced in advance with detailed itineraries, costs, eligibility requirements, and application timelines shared with families.