Seneca Valley Student South Africa Bound

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA - Seneca Valley High School junior Jacob Geil’s summer vacation experiences won’t be like most of his classmates. Instead of going to the beach, he’s going to South Africa.

Geil was one of 14 students from across the country to be selected to participate in a six-week pre-college training program through The Experiment Leadership Institute. He’ll have leadership and activism training before heading to South Africa.

"I couldn't be more excited to take part in this incredible opportunity, and I'm beyond grateful for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and The Experiment in International Living for making it possible,” Geil said in a district release.. “The chance to learn about and experience the culture of a country as rich and vibrant as South Africa is a dream come true.”

Once in South Africa, Geil will participate in discussions on issues involving worldwide health, human rights and other global issues. The program concludes with project planning sessions in Brattleboro, VT. During this final stage, he’ll begin working on a post-program project of his choice.

According to The Experiment Leadership Institute’s website, while investigating leadership and activism in the context of South Africa, students will be challenged to draw and reflect on their experiences of their home community and country facing many of the same critical issues that they examine in South Africa.

Photo via Seneca Valley School District.