OSP Asia to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji
Since 2012, Mr. Charles Cleveland, in addition to teaching, has led the Overseas Summer Program to Asia and has moderated the Matteo Ricci China Club. In the summer of 2018, he will lead the OSP Asia Pacific trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
Since 2012, Mr. Charles Cleveland, in addition to teaching, has led the Overseas Summer Program to Asia and has moderated the Matteo Ricci China Club. In the summer of 2018, he will lead the OSP Asia Pacific trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. In order to ensure the best experience for those traveling, Mr. Cleveland and his daughter, Karina, spent three days in early August in Sydney, Australia visiting possible locations and hotels.
“I usually travel ahead of time, especially to places that I have not been, in order to secure the best possible experience for our OSP participants,” said Cleveland. “Not only do I stay in the same hotels the group will be staying in, but I also try to negotiate better prices for tours and establish relationships with Jesuit schools.”
On this particular trip, Mr. Cleveland reached out to St. Aloysius College for boys, a Jesuit middle and high school founded in 1879. Jesuit Father Peter Hoskins and Principal Mark Tannock welcomed Mr. Cleveland and his daughter. The meeting led them to determine that both schools have more in common than previously believed. As a result, the St. Aloysius administration agreed to host next year’s OSP participants at their beautiful campus.
“The similarities between our two schools is uncanny,” said Cleveland. “For example, both of our schools were founded in the 19th century and are all male. Both of our schools colors are blue and gold and both keep their tuition low by providing large scholarships. St. Aloysius is also studying the use of “open classrooms” and both schools share in the importance of a global education.”
Mr. Cleveland then visited the beautiful and historic St. Mary’s Cathedral where he met with Fr. Brendan Purcell, an associate priest of the church. After the meeting they agreed that the cathedral would be a wonderful location for the OSP participants to visit, and for Father Willie to concelebrate Mass.
The Clevelands spent the rest of their time visiting various historical sites and learned to use the transit system. He was able to negotiate price reductions for certain attractions that will be visited by the group going in the summer.
“After moderating OSP and OSP Asia for over 22 years, I have learned that things don’t always go as planned. I like to have an insight into location so that I can direct the tour guides toward places that will best fit the group,” said Cleveland. “As with last year’s visit to China and Taiwan, Mr. Cleveland went beyond the typical tourist attractions and added his personal experiences to enhance the study program portion.”
Additionally, participants on next year’s OSP will also visit the Whaka Mauri tribe village in New Zealand and the local Nayawa village in Fiji. He is currently working on an aboriginal excursion in Sydney, as well as the possibility of visiting the Blue Mountains, if time and schedule permit.
An informational meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m. in the Cosculluela Hall for anyone interested in attending the summer program to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. For additional information, please contact Mr. Cleveland at ccleveland@belenjesuit.org or 786.621.4056. Trip details can be found at www.eftours.com/1969965yj.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.