This summer, seven Georgetown Preparatory School students, accompanied by Mr. Fitzgibbons and Ms. Shirley Zhang, traveled to Shanghai and Beijing for an immersive educational experience rooted in Georgetown Prep’s Jesuit mission of forming “Men for and with Others.” Through service, cultural exchange, and experiential learning, students developed a deeper understanding of China while building meaningful relationships with local communities.

Service was at the heart of the journey. Students volunteered at Beijing Jianxiang School, a special education school, where they participated in sports, games, and collaborative activities alongside students with special needs, fostering friendship through compassion and inclusion. They also delivered donations collected by the Georgetown Prep community to a local Beijing animal rescue center, learning about nonprofit leadership, community responsibility, and animal welfare. At the Great Wall, students participated in environmental stewardship while reflecting on the importance of preserving one of the world’s most treasured cultural landmarks.

Throughout the program, students collaborated with Chinese middle and high school students in Shanghai and Beijing through educational exchanges, team-building activities, and shared service projects. These experiences encouraged meaningful conversations about school life, culture, and global perspectives while building friendships that transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries.
As a Jesuit school, the group also visited two Jesuit historical sites in both Shanghai and Beijing, including the Memorial of Matteo Ricci, where students explored the legacy of Jesuit missionaries who advanced education, scientific inquiry, and cross-cultural dialogue between China and the West. These visits deepened students’ appreciation for the Jesuit tradition of intellectual curiosity, service, and global engagement.

Students also visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University, along with museums and science and innovation centers, gaining firsthand exposure to technology, aerospace, and scientific innovation in China. 
The Georgetown Preparatory School China Immersion Service Program challenged students to grow as compassionate leaders and engaged global citizens. Through service, cultural immersion, and collaboration, they experienced firsthand that meaningful leadership begins with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to serving others.