(Above, left) Iria Reyes from Spain and Julia Duek from Brazil wait in line for a ride at the Windsor Fair. (Above, right) Umut Tut from Turkey and Victor Ferreira from Brazil visit Pemaquid Lighthouse in Bristol. 

As Lincoln Academy opens for the 2025-26 school year, 42 international boarding students will join 560 local students on campus. These students come from 18 different countries from around the world, including the US. Countries with the highest number of students enrolled are Vietnam, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. Director of Admissions Katy Nicketakis interviewed each of the students and helped them to complete the application process. 

“I’m really proud of the group of students we have this year,” she said. “They’ve already gotten really involved with the school. We have a ton of fall athletes.”

Most of the international boarding students have enrolled for the entire school year, but some will stay only for part of the year. Students come for a variety of reasons, but often families and students cite a desire to have a new experience, improve their English, and make new friends as top motivating factors. 

Luka Grgurevic, from Montenegro, a small country in Central Europe, is a senior and is excited to be back for his second year at LA. . 

“The dorm at Lincoln Academy isn’t just where I live, it’s where I grew. I’ve learned as much outside the classroom as I did inside: making new friends, gaining independence, and having a second family.” said Grgurevic.

Having international students as part of the boarding program helps Lincoln Academy to fulfill its mission of being ‘global in vision.’ In addition to the boarding program, Lincoln Academy also offers study and travel abroad opportunities for students, including an exchange program with a school in South Africa and a wellness/science department trip to Costa Rica in April 2026. In April 2025, more than 20 LA students traveled to Spain, participating in a language and culture trip.

Community members who are interested in interacting with some of the international boarding students are invited to contact Monica Tan, Director of Residential Life, at Lincoln Academy to explore options such as hosting students for holidays and vacation homestays.