About NP The New Perspectives (NP) program, administered by The Laurasian Institution, is designed as a cross-cultural education program with the goal of assisting precollegiate students and teachers in developing a meaningful understanding of other cultures. To reach this goal, NP programs include three phases. During the first phase, students and teachers study curriculum units designed for NP. Students and teachers also select sites to visit in the country they are studying. These sites are linked to the curriculum units the school group studies. The second phase of the program consists of a "field trip" to the country of study. Once in the country, groups tour selected sites and participate in a host family homestay and, while in session, experiencing classes at a Japanese school. Upon returning to the United States, groups engage in follow-on activities that encourage the students to reflect upon their experiences and distill their understanding of the country visited.