Global Studies

Amara, a 16-year-old half Brazilian, half American student, enrolls in a summer program at the prestigious Winthrop Academy in Rhode Island. She is eager to connect with her roots, especially since her father once attended the very same school in the late 1970s. Her father's stories of his own summer adventures always fascinated her, and she often felt that he hid some deep secret regarding his time there.

At the prep school, Amara meets Alexei, a 16-year-old student originally from Ukraine. He had moved to Belgium when he was very young and is trying to forge his own path away from the shadows of the war that's torn apart his homeland. The two share a class on global studies, where they delve deep into global issues, not only focusing on Ukraine but extending their understanding of the complexities of global politics and socioeconomic realities.

Amara and Alexei form a quick bond, discussing their shared experiences as international students and finding comfort in their shared feelings of displacement. But as Amara and Alexei's relationship grows, the war in Ukraine intensifies, affecting Alexei profoundly. He wrestles with the guilt of being away while his family suffers. In an attempt to find solace, they decide to document the stories of immigrants and refugees, creating a project that gains traction in their school community.

Over one unforgettable summer, both young adults learn lessons that they will never forget.