Wareham High student Kaylee Fernandes didn’t expect to find herself traveling out of the country anytime soon. But she, along with other members of Wareham’s Global Club will fly to Cape Verde later this year.

“I’m Cape Verdean, and I’ve never been there,” she said. “Even though my mom and my aunt always go back. I want to reconnect with my roots, but other students are going to expand their horizons.”

Fernandes spoke at the School Committee’s Wednesday night meeting about the Global Club, providing members with a glimpse at what the internationally focused student group has been up to recently.

Directed by teacher Maureen Manning, the culture education and student exchange club started 15 years ago and now has ties with 11 schools across three continents. Recent trips included visits to the Scandinavian countries and China.

“Teaching international students made me re-think teaching,” said Nicole Stahmer, the Wareham Middle School gym teacher, recounting her experiences in Scandinavia. “Sweden doesn't think so much about standards and frameworks. I realized that maybe we should be pushing students to do more. It makes me wonder what we can do differently here.”

Wendy Wu, the director of Boston Ivy, a Chinese student exchange program working with the Wareham school system, sat in on the meeting. Groups on both sides of the world benefited from the interactions, she explained.

“These students have a global network from a very early age, which is important now more than ever,” said Wu.

Student Elizabeth Ruiz, whose family recently hosted a Chinese exchange student, backed up Wu’s statements.

“I was afraid we wouldn't have much in common. As it turns out, we didn't have much in common, but sisters don't need to have a lot in common. We are sisters,” said Ruiz.

The international education has provided some additional benefits for students as well. Fernandes said planning for the upcoming Cape Verde trip taught her some unexpected skills.

“I had to learn how to fundraise,” she said. “I’m paying for this trip, not my parents, so I had to learn to bankroll myself and save money, rather than just going out and buying nice shoes.”

School Committee member Cliff Sylvia said he was enthusiastic about the club's progress.

“Being the son of immigrants myself,” he began, “I think this is a wonderful idea. I feel there is a lot of intolerance out there for people and things we know nothing about. I think there is a real need for this club, particularly with China as it is becoming the global power.”

Chair Mel Lazarus agreed.

“If we don't focus on a global education, we are doing a tremendous disservice to our students,” he said.