Wilson Language Travel Grants
The 2024 Wilson Language Travel Grant Application Window is Closed. It will reopen in September of 2025.
1. Open to students in 10th or 11th grade who have not participated in a travel program for that language in the Upper School.
1. Open to students in 10th or 11th grade who have not participated in a travel program for that language in the Upper School.
2. Open to French, German & Spanish students who are currently enrolled in 2 Honors (or higher), who demonstrate continued excellence in the language both in and outside the classroom, and who have demonstrated positive contributions to the MBA and wider community. Preferential consideration will be given to those students who have already participated in a Wilson Language Immersion program for French, German or Spanish at Concordia Language Villages.
3. Open to Chinese students who are currently enrolled in 3 Honors (or higher), who demonstrate continued excellence in the language both in and outside the classroom, and who have demonstrated positive contributions to the MBA and wider community. Preferential consideration will be given to those students who have already participated in a Wilson Language Immersion program for Chinese at Concordia Language Villages.
3. Open to a limited number of Latin students (3-4 max) currently enrolled in Latin 3 Honors / Latin 4 Honors (or higher) and who have demonstrated a history of excellence in Latin both in and outside the classroom and positive contributions to the MBA and wider community.
Wilson Language Travel Grant Eligibility:
Criteria for selection:3. Open to Chinese students who are currently enrolled in 3 Honors (or higher), who demonstrate continued excellence in the language both in and outside the classroom, and who have demonstrated positive contributions to the MBA and wider community. Preferential consideration will be given to those students who have already participated in a Wilson Language Immersion program for Chinese at Concordia Language Villages.
3. Open to a limited number of Latin students (3-4 max) currently enrolled in Latin 3 Honors / Latin 4 Honors (or higher) and who have demonstrated a history of excellence in Latin both in and outside the classroom and positive contributions to the MBA and wider community.
Wilson Language Travel Grant Eligibility:
- The student has an established track record of excellence as confirmed by his language teachers and other teachers both in and outside the classroom.
- The student has demonstrated sufficient fluency in the language to be able to interact effectively with native speakers. Latin students should be able to sight read intermediate passages.
- The student has demonstrated positive contributions to the MBA and wider community through service to others.
- The student is able to attend the entirety of the program he has selected, he commits to traveling to and from the program site with the rest of the group and he understands that no modifications to travel are permitted.
- Modern language students commit to use the target language throughout the dates of the program.
- For Modern language students: student commits to continuing his language study at MBA the following academic year by enrolling in the AP level course (or higher) and taking the AP exam unless special permission is granted by the Department Chair for another pathway. For Latin students: student commits to continuing his study of Latin at MBA the following academic year by enrolling in the AP level course and taking the AP exam (or enrolling in Latin V if he is currently enrolled in AP Latin).
- The student commits to use this use this experience and language skills to continue to enhance academic and extracurricular life at MBA and in the larger community.
Other considerations:
- Students who do not already have a valid passport should begin the application process before submitting an application.
- Students should be aware that some programs may not be all-inclusive and may require additional fees. Any costs beyond those listed on the application will not be covered by this grant.
- Payments and arrangements are made through Montgomery Bell Academy in association with its travel agent and in communication with the programs selected.
Students are expected to research their programs of choice listed below before completing the application. In rare cases, other programs may be considered if a student finds one of particular interest that meets the criteria as established by the Montgomery Bell Academy World Languages Department.
Students on international travel programs may not delay or extend their in-country stay. All students must travel together as a group to and from the country.
Students need to be aware of additional costs in case quoted prices are not all inclusive. If any doubt exists, please contact the program before submitting the grant application, since the requested amount in the application will not be increased.Wilson Language Travel Programs
The following links are for informational purposes only. Do not apply directly to the program. Applicants need to indicate on their Wilson Grant Application up to two programs for which they want to be considered. Unless otherwise noted, the expected program duration is four weeks. Dates of the program can be found on the program website unless stated otherwise in the description of the program.
CHINESE
- Travel location TBD (China or Taiwan). Dates of travel set by MBA. Generally travel is from mid June to mid July. Official dates will be confirmed by early April by Ms. Zhang
FRENCH
Bordeaux Exchange
- Travel dates set by MBA. Generally travel is from early June to early July. Official dates will be confirmed by mid to late March by Mr. Trotter.
GERMAN
Wiesbaden Exchange
- Travel dates set by MBA. Generally travel is from early June to mid July. Official dates will be confirmed by early March by Mr. Dougherty. Program is limited to a maximum of three or four qualifying students, depending on host availability in Germany.
LATIN – For students in Latin 3/4 Honors or higher
Paideia Institute (Main program)
- Travel dates set by Paideia. Please consult their website for more information regarding dates of travel.
- Grant recipients must also apply and be accepted by the Paideia Institute for this grant to take effect. Please consult Ms. Ellery for more information.
- Alternate program if Wilson Grant recipients are not able to attend the Paideia program during the dates offered, they may apply to Calder instead.
- Travel dates set by Calder Classics. Please consult their website for more information regarding dates of travel.
- Grant recipients must also apply and be accepted by the Calder Classics for this grant to take effect. Please consult Ms. Ellery for more information.
Estudio Sampere – Salamanca, Spain
- Three-week study program followed by one week of travel with an MBA teacher. Travel dates set by MBA. Generally travel is from late May / early June to early July. Official dates will be confirmed by late January by Sr. Paolicchi. Program is limited to a maximum of six (6) qualifying students.
- Travel dates set by LITA. Please consult their website for more information regarding dates of travel. Program is limited to one or two highly qualified students.
Amigos de las Américas
- Only four-week programs are considered, Travel dates set by Amigos de las Américas. Please consult their website for more information regarding dates of travel.
- Travel dates set by MBA. Generally travel is from late May to mid June. Official dates will be confirmed by mid February by Mrs. Victoria. Program is limited to a maximum of four (4) students.
The Experiment in International Living
- Only four-week programs to Spanish-speaking countries will be considered. Travel dates are set by the Experiment in International Living. Please consult their website for more information regarding dates of travel. Up to one (1) MBA student will be considered for each qualifying program they offer.
Montgomery Bell Academy
4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514
