Winterim

Welcome to Winterim!

March 13-20, 2025

Winterim experiences take place over the six class days before spring vacation each year and reflect an intentional time set aside in the OES Upper School for experiential and immersive education to allow students hands-on opportunities to explore and understand the world outside the walls of a traditional classroom. Our courses explore an array of topics, locations, and ideas, in and around our local Portland area, domestically across the United States, and internationally in varying locations each school year. Our international courses are rooted in building global competence and intercultural learning opportunities, while our domestic and local courses encourage students to cultivate their curiosity and reach beyond what is familiar by leaning into our inquiry-based learning cycle of exploring, creating, connecting, committing, and reflecting. Additionally, I’m excited to announce that we will be integrating the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards into our course offerings in 2025, just as we have integrated these into our classroom curriculums as well.

Winterim has a rich history at OES and we are excited to build on an incredibly successful year last year. Our international courses this year will take us to five countries, while our domestic and local courses will be developed and proposed by faculty and students in the coming months.

All of our courses will provide opportunities for students and faculty to work and learn together as part of our shared community. As a reminder, participation in Winterim each year is a graduation requirement for all students.

See OES Winterim Experiences!

Key Dates

October 1: International Winterim Course Presentations and application window open through October 7.
October 18: Roster placements for International courses shared with students.
December 3: Local and Domestic Winterim Presentations and application window open through December 9.
December 20: Roster placements for Local and Domestic courses shared with students.

Travel Documents

Each student traveller will need a valid passport for international travel. Some students may also require an additional travel visa for the destination country that they are placed in. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to obtain all required travel documents for their student. Copies of all travel documents will need to be submitted to the US Main Office 30 days before departure.

Additional Cost and Financial Assistance

OES offers need-based financial support for Winterim courses. Any Upper School family may apply for financial assistance toward any Winterim course (local, domestic, or international), regardless of whether they pay full tuition or a flexible tuition. While the majority of Winterim courses require no additional cost to families, international and domestic trips do require further financial commitment for transportation, accommodations, meals, activities, and rentals. The cost of courses will be included in the course catalog so you can make an informed decision when registering.

It is our goal to enable students to participate in one international and one domestic Winterim trip during their time in the Upper School. Families that have not submitted a Clarity application for 2024-25 will be asked to submit tax documents along with their Winterim financial assistance application. The supplemental aid committee of flexible tuition will prioritize funding to students who have not already participated in an international or domestic Winterim trip. Domestic Winterim trips are considered to be trips that travel outside of Oregon. Please note: In order to be eligible for Winterim financial assistance, a family’s account should be in good standing with the business office. If you have any further questions, please reach out to flexibletuition@oes.edu.

2025 Courses (Domestic & Local Courses Coming Soon)

All Winterim courses work towards the following outcomes:

Integration of the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards
Demonstration of Inquiry Based Learning
Integration of the OES Essential Competencies

2025 International Courses

Iceland’s Underground Treasure: The Science of Geothermal Energy

In this course, students' learning outcomes will be built around constructing a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding of geothermal power. Iceland is heralded as being the only country that runs on 100% geothermal power. By exploring environmental regenerative practices, students will broaden and deepen their understanding of how geothermal energy is processed and used in innovative ways to maximize energy output. How will students do this? Part of the course will be exploring and learning about the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), a growing network of regenerative communities and initiatives that bridge cultures, countries, and continents. Students will seek to understand and learn from perspectives beyond their own by spending time working with GEN, which catalyzes communities for a regenerative world. Just outside Reykjavik the group will visit a power plant and get an in-depth look at how geothermal energy is processed. This power plant is located at Hengill, an active volcanic ridge in southwest Iceland. Additionally, this course explores how natural hot springs help grow tomatoes all year long and hear a brief history of the Icelandic horses! Come and join us as we listen, collaborate and learn from an inspirational community committed to regenerative practices!

Faculty Leaders: Carmen Boyle, Maria McIvor, and Przemek Tokarski
Student Leaders: Uma K. and Pia R.
Partner Organization: Saga Events
Cost: $4900
Dates: 3/12 - 3/20
Number of Students: 15

Italy - Scrittura di Viaggio: Rome, Florence, Venice—Che Bello!

This course will center art history, architecture, and cultural experiences in three of Europe’s cultural capitals. Partnering with the Italy Travel Company on a custom built itinerary and curriculum, our OES group will follow a native guide 24/7 as we visit historical sites and museums and write about our experiences in three great cities:

Rome and its exceptional architecture and public art, including the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Florence and it's great museums, galleries, and sites, such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo, and globally recognizable works such as Michelangelo’s “David”
Venice and its storied canals, the Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica, and multiple museums celebrating the height of the Italian Renaissance

Beyond exceptional travel experiences, each day we will take time to write about art, architecture, food, and other aspects of our journey based on models we examine in our pre-trip meetings. At the end of the course, each student will contribute a piece to our final “travel magazine.”

Faculty Leaders: Josina Reaves and Evan Hansen
Student Leaders: Benj E. and Aaren S.
Partner Organization: Italy Travel Company
Cost: $5000
Dates: 3/13 - 3/21
Number of Students: 12

Waves of Discovery: Marine Sciences in Baja Mexico

Explore the unique marine ecosystems of Baja California Sur, Mexico and the Gulf of California by immersing yourself in the rich biodiversity of the region’s flora and fauna. Through participation in citizen science and conservation projects, you'll contribute to on-site efforts to protect these delicate environments. During this program, you'll deepen your understanding of the interactions between the sea and human communities, examining the socio-environmental challenges that arise from this relationship. Using scientific inquiry, you'll be encouraged to propose solutions to these issues and develop your own scientific field research project to address them. In collaboration with local students from the EPI Eco Club, you'll participate in a beach clean-up and gain insight into the desert ecosystems of Espiritu Santo Island, fostering a sense of stewardship and global citizenship while actively working to preserve these environments.

Faculty Leaders: Tom Handel, Robin O’Hara, and Ed Cecere
Student Leaders: Irene W.
Partner Organization: Ecology Project International
Cost: $4500
Dates: 3/13 - 3/21
Number of Students: 15

Moroccan Mosaic: French Language and Heritage

Come explore the rich history, diverse cultures and delicious cuisine of Morocco in this fully immersive language course. We will deepen our understanding of Francophone culture, learn Arabic phrases, explore historical sites and use our language skills for daily life! On this trip we will meet students from a French language high school, visit souks and bazaars full of artisans selling their wares, spend time with a host family, explore historical landmarks, such as the ancient medinas and the Atlas Mountains, and experience traditional Moroccan customs, cuisine, and art. The trip fosters cultural exchange, global awareness, and hands-on learning while practicing French in a diverse and dynamic setting. For this language trip, priority will be given to students in level French III and higher and/or to students proficient in French, but not currently in a class. Other interested students without above qualifications should follow up with leaders to decide if this is the right trip for them.

Faculty Leaders: Katrina Perry and Autumn Apperson
Student Leaders: Isa D.
Partner Organization: ImprintEd Abroad
Cost: $4600
Dates: 3/13 - 3/22
Number of Students: 12

Cycling and Conservation in Thailand

This course takes you on a bike adventure through Thailand, exploring its amazing wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. SpiceRoads, our cycling guide service, has created this custom itinerary that highlights Thailand's beauty while also educating us about the various environmental concerns in the regions we will be riding through and visiting. Some of the days, we will be cycling a shorter duration while our longer days will include rides of 20 miles a day for three of the days.

Our first day includes cycling through Bangkok’s old town, a longtail boat ride through canals, and visits to traditional Thai houses and rural communities. On other days we’ll explore Tha Kha Floating Market and bike to Kaeng Krachan National Park for team-building activities, cycling, and river rafting. An additional highlight will be visiting the Wildlife Friends Foundation, where we have the opportunity to learn about their work with rescued animals. One of our last days features a guided trek in the beautiful Ban Krang, part of Kaeng Krachan National Park. On the final day, we'll return to the bustle of Bangkok after a rural ride along the park's border.

Faculty Leaders: Stephanie Portman and Matt Pigg
Student Leaders: Maija L. and Lincoln W.
Partner Organization: Spice Roads Cycling
Cost: $4200
Dates: 3/12 - 3/21
Number of Students: 1o