Events Calendar

Spend nine days immersed in two of Canada’s greatest theater festivals, The Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival, pairing world-class performances with faculty-led conversations that treat theater the way it deserves to be treated: as literature, history, politics, and craft, all at once. This program is designed for those who love ideas as much as they love a great curtain call, with time built in for discussion, reflection, and the simple pleasure of being in a beautiful place with fellow Yalies. You will begin in charming Stratford, settling into a historic boutique hotel in the heart of town, then continue to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where waterfront views and elegant architecture set the stage for the second half of the journey. Along the way, the rhythm is intentional: mornings for engaging group discussion, afternoons at leisure to explore, and evenings reserved for pre-theatre dinners and performances, capped by a memorable matinee in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Program highlights
• Six theater performances with pre-theatre dinners on performance nights
• Daily faculty-style discussions to enrich each performance
• Stratford stay at a landmark boutique hotel, historic since 1871
• Niagara-on-the-Lake stay in a grand, Georgian-inspired hotel with harbor and Niagara River views
• Scenic transfer day from Stratford to Niagara-on-the-Lake, including a group lunch en route
• Plenty of free time to explore at your own pace

Discover the power of service to transform lives - especially your own.

Join fellow Yale alumni and friends for a unique opportunity to serve with YASC and Global Volunteers in the beautiful Siedlce region of eastern Poland. You'll work directly with local leaders and youth—both Polish and Ukrainian—offering your time, energy, and talents to support language learning and build lasting connections.

Whether you're an experienced educator or simply someone who loves kids and wants to make a difference, this program invites you to step into a role of meaningful impact and intercultural exchange.

Why Poland? Why Now?

After the collapse of communism in Poland, the county government of Siedlce asked Global Volunteers for help teaching conversational English. Reading in the classroom was a focus, but they did not have any native English speakers to listen to and practice pronunciation, idioms, and fluency to communicate effectively in English - the language of the world's marketplace. Volunteers have played a vital role in Poland's progress through teaching in classrooms and planning summer camps that engage children in the historical Siedlce county area, an area that still does not have the same access to resources as the larger cities. This program aims to serve both Polish and Ukrainian youth in the summer camps. The war in Ukraine has brought an influx of displaced families into the region but given the evolving nature of the war in Ukraine, we recognize that the circumstances may change by 2026. We are committed to supporting the community as it exists at the time and will adapt our efforts accordingly.

Your presence will be a message of hope and solidarity.

You'll lead small-group activities designed to help students practice spoken English in fun, creative ways, including:

• Games and storytelling
• Art and music
• Sports and movement
• Science and hands-on projects
• Film and photography
• Dance and cultural exchange

Review program policies, trip itinerary, and terms and conditions (YASC and Global Volunteers). For questions or further information feel free to contact trip producer Julia Bailey '93 MPhil, ’96 PhD or João Aleixo at the YAA.