Lasell University’s Shoulder to Shoulder Program took a group of dedicated students to Antigua for an experience-driven, educational development opportunity. The students spent a week on the island, collaborating with five different host schools within the Antiguan community. 

After spending an entire semester preparing curriculum and lesson plans, students were assigned to one of the schools where they taught lessons to children of various ages. Through this direct interaction, students not only helped elevate the academic experience of local students but also expanded their own academic growth by working alongside experienced teachers. 

“This trip is the definition of collaborative and experience led learning,” Senior Business Management major Paige Jette said. “Our alumni from this program come back to speak with new students every year, they interact on our Instagram, and time and time again we hear alumni say this was the best project they worked on at Lasell and it is held very close to their hearts.” 

In addition to their service work, Professors of Education Liz Hartman and Amy Maynard met alongside Jette with key figures from Antigua’s Ministry of Education, which included Minister Daryll Mathew and Assistant Director of Education-Planning, Training, Research, and Educational Services Stacey Mascal. The meeting focused on discussing the history, current status, and future possibilities of the Shoulder to Shoulder program. 

“One thing that Minister Mathew conveyed was his overarching support for this program and the support to bring Antiguan teachers to Lasell in the fall of 2025,” Jette said.  

The program reinforced Lasell’s commitment to global learning while also highlighting the lasting impact of the Shoulder to Shoulder project on both the students and the communities they serve.  

Senior Curriculum and Instruction major Riley Sullivan said that the program had an impact on both her personal growth and her future career as a teacher.   

“The trip allowed all of us the opportunity to truly immerse ourselves in the culture of Antigua inside and outside of the classroom,” Sullivan said. “The students, energy, positivity, and eagerness to learn was so captivating and moving. I got to watch as my classmates and I grew as the week went on and truly leaned on one another to make sure we were all the best we could possibly be.”  

The Shoulder to Shoulder program continues to foster meaningful connections, leaving a lasting impact on both the participants and the communities they serve. Lasell will launch another program to Antigua in the fall of 2025.  

“If you’re interested in the program but scared because it’s something new and you travel far away, apply anyways,” Jette said. “This trip is so much more than traveling, teaching, and then coming home. It’s personal, it can get emotional, but it truly is one of the greatest experiences you can have at Lasell.”  

The application process is open to students of any major. Those interested in attending are encouraged to apply through the Lasell website.