Why FPD Offers a Study Abroad Program 

There is a moment that happens on every FPD study abroad trip. A student who has spent years in classrooms, on athletic fields, and in chapel stands in front of something that no textbook or photograph could have prepared them for, and they goes quiet. 

These international trips model the mission of the school, and they also model the profile of a graduate. If our mission is to 'educate and equip students to change the world for God's glory,' we cannot accomplish our mission without first seeing the world." 

— Kate Mixon, High School English Teacher 

It might be a glacier. A 15,000-foot mountain. A cathedral older than America. Or the surreal experience of snorkeling between two tectonic plates in freezing, snow-surrounded water.  That moment of wonder is not an accident. It is the point. 

Why FPD Offers a Study Abroad Program 

At First Presbyterian Day School, we believe the deepest learning does not only happen in a classroom. Academic literature consistently supports what great teachers have always known: real formation happens through real experience. Students retain ideas they have lived far longer than ideas they have only read. 

As one of our trip leaders put it at the end of a recent trip: 

"I have something to admit to you. I tricked you into something this week. You did something you didn't even realize you were doing: learning." 

— Mr. Pete Kidder, Highschool English Teacher

Our study abroad program allows  students to experience six different countries before they graduate, encountering different cultures, landscapes, climates, and ways of life firsthand. 

Never in my life have I seen such a beautiful yet diverse place, from the heat of the valley to the ice frosted over the waterfalls nearby. Realizing I got to share this with some of my best friends made me grateful for the moment and the memories we were making. Mr. Kidder told us to keep chasing icy waterfalls, and it is not just a literal meaning. It means taking risks, going on the trip, and not missing opportunities to make memories. I am forever grateful for this trip and the unique, unforgettable experiences it provided." 

— Daniel Moughon, Class of 2027 

Think about how many lessons you remember from high school versus the experiences you still carry with you years later. When students encounter new atmospheres, unfamiliar cultures, and unexpected challenges, they engage with learning at a level that no worksheet can replicate. 

What Students Are Learning Beyond Academics 

The lessons students bring home from FPD's study abroad program are not found in any syllabus. They are learning independence, problem-solving, patience, and responsibility. How to travel with a group. How to manage themselves in public spaces. How to handle the unexpected with grace and confidence. 

The trip really was very transformative because it showed me just how small I am and how much is out there for me to experience. Taking pictures of the crystal-clear night sky in Chamonix and standing atop Mont Blanc are moments I still remember vividly because they made me feel small." 

— Bere Leary, Class of 2028 

They are also learning how to be fully present. Parents have noticed something meaningful when their sons return: they come home lighter, more grateful, more alive. They put the phones down because the world in front of them was more interesting than any screen. 

How the Study Abroad Program Shapes FPD Graduates 

We want to send students into the world who are not afraid of unfamiliar places, who can engage others with humility, and who can see beauty and meaning beyond their immediate environment. FPD's study abroad program helps do that. 

Student put it this way: "I took back a stronger desire to explore more cultures, not just in Europe but around the world. Experiencing firsthand the unique aspects of alpine European culture piqued my curiosity about how other cultures differ in cuisine, social interactions, and the subtleties of everyday life." 

FPD's study abroad program helps shape graduates who are more curious, more confident, more adaptable, and more aware of the world around them. They learn to be flexible when plans change, responsible with time and freedom, and attentive to people and places that are different from what they know.  

My week in Paris this past spring was one of the highlights of my year. I loved getting to explore a new city, ride the subway, eat amazing food, and visit places I've only ever seen on a screen. My favorite part was seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, but the entire trip was truly incredible, and I was thankful for the opportunity.  I have always loved traveling and this trip was amazing and I can't wait to attend more experiences like this in the future. "  - Maggie Pyles 28

Want to Learn More About FPD? 

First Presbyterian Day School is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school in Macon, Georgia. We would love to show you what an FPD education looks like up close. Reach out to our admissions office to schedule a campus visit and see for yourself why families across Middle Georgia choose FPD.