From January 10 to 18, Lasell students traveled to Antigua as part of the Shoulder to Shoulder program, a service-learning experience that allows students to teach in local schools while learning about Antiguan culture.
During the week, students taught at Potters Primary School, T.N. Kirnon Primary School, Simon Bolivar Pre-School, and the Adele School.
The program, which has been running for nine years, focuses on reciprocity rather than charity. Sophomore elementary education major Tess Combis explained that students begin preparing long before they leave.
“We start with learning about the culture of Antigua,” Combis said. “It’s not about giving everything to the people we’re visiting, it’s about sharing things with others. We bring things to them, they bring things to us. It’s a reciprocal relationship.”
That mindset shapes how students approach their classrooms. Instead of coming in as “helpers,” they work alongside host teachers and build connections with students.
For many participants, the trip is also a major confidence boost. Senior applied math major Jacob Lustig said they were initially nervous about teaching in a new environment.
“Service learning was something that I was familiar with before this trip, but going to Antigua and working with the students was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lustig said.
Before the trip, Lustig’s classroom experience was limited to a short pre-practicum and working as a teacher’s assistant at Lasell. Teaching full lessons in a different country pushed them out of their comfort zone, but they said the support from their peers and professors helped them grow.
“I walked away from this project proud of the work that I accomplished and feeling much more confident and secure in my abilities to teach and work with children,” they said.
Beyond lesson planning and classroom management, students agreed that the biggest highlight was the relationships they built. Senior elementary education major Mylena Bovo had the chance to see students she taught during a previous trip.
“One highlight was seeing the students that I taught last year, and getting to teach them again this year,” Bovo said. “They remembered me. That reminded me of the impact that we have over there, even though we’re only there for a week.”
Even though the teaching portion lasts just five days, students say the connections feel much bigger. Whether it was running around during P.E., helping with lessons, or simply talking during lunch, Lasell students became part of the school communities.
Sophomore elementary education major Tess Combis said that the children were what motivated her every day.
“The highlight would be the kids,” Combis said. “They were the light of the entire trip, and they motivated me every day to go back.”
Senior early childhood education major Emily Varga also emphasized that the program is open to all majors, not just education students.
“Anyone can participate, and I think that’s what makes it so great and so rewarding,” Varga said.
The Shoulder to Shoulder Program offers more than just a teaching experience. It challenges students to adapt, step into leadership roles, and immerse themselves in a different culture.
For many, it’s a week that builds confidence in the classroom while creating memories and relationships that last far beyond the trip itself.
–March 2, 2026–
