LINCOLN SENIOR RETREAT: A GATEWAY TO CONNECT CLASSROOMS WITH THE WORLD AND FUTURE CAREERS

High school seniors participated in the Senior Retreat, a series of workshops to learn about marketing, finance, and resume preparation, among other topics. They also talked with a group of former students about their experience after high school.

For students to grow and develop as self-navigators, learning outside the classroom is a must. That's why Lincoln, the American-International School located in La Lucila, offers its seniors a variety of experiences, including the Senior Retreat. This year, from September 16-20, high school seniors attended a series of on-campus workshops designed to provide them with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to navigate the future challenges of the adult world with independence and professionalism. 

“It was a week to spend time on some of the core components of the International Diploma (IB), but also to extend learning with initiatives that exceed the regular classroom,” explains Silvina Lopez Fernandez, Directora de Secundaria at Lincoln. “Several of the workshops were related to how to lead service-learning activities, how to develop a disciplined mindset, and how to be a stronger communicator,” adds Sarah Fang, IB Program Coordinator and Assistant Principal. 

Universities and leadership

One of the most outstanding workshops was on university applications. Douglas Dworak, one of the High School Counselors, and Ángeles Colombres, associate director of outreach and recruitment at IE University (Spain) for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Ecuador, guided students in writing captivating essays to present to U.S. universities and answered multiple questions about application systems in other parts of the world.

To promote youth empowerment, a Leadership Compass course was offered, during which students reflected on the different ways to motivate a team and strengthen interaction with others. Considering the demand for skills in the professional world, a digital marketing workshop was also given. In this, Verónica García Díaz, Digital Design teacher at Lincoln, shared marketing and entrepreneurship strategies.

CV, interviews and networking

“One of the goals of the senior retreat is to improve self-awareness and expand one's comfort zone,” says Silvina Lopez Fernandez. Developing confidence and authenticity is something that was emphasized during the resume and interview preparation classes. Students not only reflected on how to present their strengths to different industries and companies, but also worked on designing resumes that stand out and leave an unforgettable impression. 

In the Networking workshop, they explored the power of connecting with others, which is key in the search for job opportunities. Other experiences, such as team-building activities, personal finance classes and calligraphy sessions, served to complement the package of professional tools and skills. “Collaborative activities were one of the highlights,” shares one of the students. 

Communicating as professionals 

One of Lincoln's most important attributes was that of a student as a communicator. Knowing how to adapt the communication style to different cultural expectations was key for future graduates to have the flexibility to move in different work environments. 

To strengthen the communicator profile, they were also offered a class on the power of verbal and nonverbal communication. Victoria Zöldi, founder and CEO of AZ Onward, a company that provides organizational development and coaching services, led the workshop to share her knowledge on active listening and leadership. 

Victoria, a member of our community of families, is one of several parents who participated in the experience as speakers. This is the case of a U.S. Marine Corps Corpsman, who gave a class on discipline. Another parent, who is a Deputy Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, gave a session on Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Acceptance in the Workplace. 

Advice from the future: talking to alumni

To provide a glimpse into what lies ahead after graduation, an Alumni Panel was created, with former students representing graduating classes from the past decades. Our learners had the opportunity to hear the experience of someone about to graduate from a Medical School, experts innovating in technology startups, and international consultants and educators. One thing that stood out after hearing the testimonials was the unpredictability of the future and the ability that an educational environment like Lincoln's gave them to be ready for unexpected opportunities. 

To encourage some perspective, a legacy reflection workshop was included. Future graduates considered what impact they want to have on others and how they hope to be remembered. This connected with another class on Service Learning: a knowledge-sharing experience to help local communities; something Lincoln has been committed to for more than three decades. 

A learning journey 

To conclude this week of professional preparation, the students went on a study trip to Chascomús. The bike and kayak tours allowed them to put into practice everything they had learned about leadership, teamwork, and communication. “It was a very nice experience that I will definitely remember,” comments another student. They were also able to connect as a group and strengthen bonds of companionship, which will serve them well and which they will keep alive when this school stage is soon over and they immerse themselves in the adult, professional, and continuous learning world.