With a passion for learning, history and international affairs, junior Jazz Ward is spending the second semester of the 2017-18 school year studying at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, D.C. Beginning in the end of January, Ward threw herself into the leadership orientated environment with excitement.

“Being nervous never really came to my mind. I knew the academics were going to be really fascinating to me and the people who share my interests,” Ward said.

Before uprooting from her normal day-to-day schedule in St. Paul, Ward was an avid member of the varsity debate team and had fallen in love with history and humanities. In order to pursue her passions surrounding foreign affairs and history, Ward chose a program based on its emphasis on learning and foreign issues.

“At SEGL, everyone is passionate about making a difference while engaging in effective and meaningful discourse,” Ward said.

Ward explains that while she was sad to leave her friends and family, she was more than ready to expand her knowledge at SEGL. Ward’s high expectations were more than exceeded academically and socially.

“My friends here are some of the most incredible people I will ever meet, and the teachers are spectacular. I look forward to our case studies each week, especially the speakers we meet with during the study,” Ward said.

Classes at SEGL not only have a weekly case study where they analyze the decisions that world leaders make and the ethics behind them, but use an interdisciplinary approach as well. Ward explains that classes weave and interconnect with each other.

“When reading Henry V in English, we might also connect his leadership style to the Iranian Government’s approach during the revolution,” Ward said.

While other juniors embark on retreat, or finish chemistry projects, Ward will continue enjoying her ethics and real-world focused education in D.C.. Ward will return to Minnesota at the end of the semester, ready for summer and prepared for senior year, with a semesters-worth of unique and life-changing experiences in her backpack.