First Stamp has developed partnerships with both Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and the not-for-profit American Friends of the Louvre.
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
First Stamp’s partnership with Trinity University is a key component of the First Stamp experience. Thanks to this partnership, which includes the vital support of both Trinity leadership and the Education Department, all of our trip leaders are graduates of Trinity’s Masters of Arts in Teaching program. Therefore, our trip leaders are recently certified teachers with classroom experience who serve as invaluable mentors throughout our travels, which for many girls is the first time they are away from their families for an extended time.
In addition to their extensive educational training and teaching background, our Trinity partners play a hands-on role in developing the orientation curriculum and educational components of the trip. As a cornerstone piece of the First Stamp experience, the two-day, onsite orientation at Trinity University not only prepares the girls for international travel, but also provides them with an opportunity to experience a safe and welcoming college campus, bond as a team, and create a seamless transition into the trip. By the time our First Stamp travelers board the plane, the whole group is already becoming a cohesive unit–which makes all the difference in ensuring a successful, safe, and life-changing First Stamp experience!
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRE
American Friends of the Louvre (AFL) is a tax-exempt charitable organization based in the United States, dedicated to supporting the Louvre Museum and advancing French culture in the United States through a dynamic membership program and philanthropic support. AFL enhances connections between the Louvre and the American audience, while recognizing the enduring contributions of American supporters. By providing support, AFL increases awareness of the Louvre’s collections and expertise while also facilitating greater accessibility to the Museum’s exhibitions and permanent collections–both in the U.S. and globally.
As the largest museum in the world, with art dating from ancient civilizations to the mid-19th century, touring the Louvre was an ideal capstone experience for our inaugural First Stamp group, and thanks to our partnership with AFL, we were able to introduce the Louvre to the next generation of art lovers and leaders.