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Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder (SStS) is an overseas experiential learning organization for high school students focused on global citizenship and ethical leadership. It refers to its programs as “Field Studies” rather than ordinary trips, emphasizing that students learn shoulder-to-shoulder with local nonprofit organizations and community leaders, gaining an understanding of social responsibility, environmental protection, and community development in real-world settings. Founded in 2007, the organization states on its website that it has 1,200+ alumni, 15 Field Studies, 20 schools, and 16 partners.
The program uses a three-stage model: pre-departure interactive online coursework, immersive field-based learning, and post-program participation in an alumni and partner network. Taking the Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation & Research program as an example, students spend 14 days participating in nighttime sea turtle patrols, turtle nest relocation, hatchery maintenance, environmental education at local schools, mangrove and wildlife observation, sustainable fisheries and rural ecotourism experiences, as well as sports, language exchange, and cultural activities with local students. Groups typically include 10–14 students with 2–3 program leaders. During the program, a tech-free policy is enforced: phones and internet-connected devices are collected to strengthen immersion and reflection.
For the Costa Rica program, tuition is USD 5,290 for students from partner schools and USD 5,490 for students from non-partner schools, excluding airfare. The website lists an estimated group airfare cost of USD 1,100. After admission, students must pay a USD 100 deposit to confirm their spot. Financial aid is available, but resources are limited and awards are usually less than 50% of tuition. The application process includes an online application, reference checks, an admissions interview, and registration after acceptance.
Its strengths lie in its clear educational goals: it is not superficial sightseeing. NGO partners, pre-departure coursework, field-based service learning, and a post-program network create a relatively complete learning cycle. Safety management is also taken seriously: program leaders are often professional educators and are required to undergo background checks, hold first aid/CPR certification, and complete annual training. The drawbacks are the relatively high cost and separate airfare; overseas programs require participants to depart from a U.S. hub on a group flight, which may be less convenient for Chinese or non-U.S. students; and the website does not display information about formal accreditation or certificates.
It is best suited for high school students with strong English ability who are willing to accept a phone-free environment and are interested in public service, environmental protection, international understanding, and leadership development. It is also suitable for schools looking to introduce global citizenship education programs. The main text provides no information about access from mainland China, so this is considered unknown.
⚠ This review is compiled from public sources and does not constitute a purchase recommendation. Verify all facts on the vendor's official site. Verify on shouldertoshoulder.com official site.
shouldertoshoulder.com is an United States Study Abroad provider. TG4G tracks its product information, an overall rating of 6.0/10, and a China-accessibility score of Limited (proxy recommended). Click "Visit Official Site" to reach shouldertoshoulder.com directly.