Walls Prepares to Greet Students from Sunderland, UK

Walls students pose for a photo with their British counterparts in Sunderland, England. Photo credit: Shakir Ghazi 

At a humanities-based school like Walls, international relations have long played a significant role—both in and out of the classroom. This year, that importance is on full display. From April 21-28, ten students from the UK will visit Walls, experiencing life as American students. The visit follows Walls students’ November trip to Sunderland, where they met the same group at Monkwearmouth Academy.

During their time in Britain, Walls students explored a variety of places—from gloomy, historic Edinburgh to the medieval Durham Castle. Nolan Smith (‘27) recalled, “My favorite part of the trip was walking through Edinburgh because it is a very unique city with lots of connection to me as well. My dad’s side of the family goes all the way back to Scotland, so it was nice to see that connection.” But for some, the best experiences were not tied to history. Ella Miller (‘27) noted, “My favorite activities were going bowling with [the British students] and getting to explore [the] town with them!”

Now, as Walls prepares to host the Sunderland students, plans are underway to ensure they get a full Washington, D.C. experience. The itinerary includes visits to local restaurants like Busboys and Poets, staple tourist spots such as the Capitol building, a tour of Mount Vernon, and even a baseball game. Hosting students will also have opportunities to connect with their visitors during school hours and through designated “family days.”

Some Walls students, however, feel that a few things could be added to the schedule. Smith suggested, “I would like the Sunderland students to see a show at the Kennedy Center because we saw Wicked [in England] and I think it would be cool for them to see [an American production of it].” Miller had a different idea, saying, “I would also take them to Crumbs and Whiskers ‘cause cat cafés are super fun!”

For the visiting students, expectations are high. Jess Marshland, one of the British students coming to Walls, said, “I really want to have the American high school experience because I feel like it’s a lot of people’s dreams to do that, and I actually get the opportunity to do so.” However, that experience comes with certain expectations, already shaped by what Walls students shared during their visit in the fall. “I’ve heard that School Without Walls is slightly smaller and you get to leave the school for lunch. And the classes sound a lot harder than ours in England!” Marshland added.

The Walls-Sunderland exchange has been running for years, a connection rooted in George Washington’s historical ties to Sunderland. Students on both sides see it as an exciting opportunity—not just to learn about the history of each place, but to build lasting friendships. Marshland summed up the sentiment, saying, “I was mainly just excited to make more friends and hopefully make them last a lifetime!”