Each year, a group of students and teachers adventure abroad over the winter and spring breaks, in recent years going to places such as Europe, Belize, Peru, and much more.  They participate in service projects, global conferences visit some of the seven wonders of the world.

“I had always wanted to go to Europe,” senior Robyn Auslander said. “Since I take French at school, it was a really cool experience to practice what I have learned.”

Auslander traveled abroad to France, Netherlands, and Belgium last April.

“Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time was like a dream. I had always seen it in movies and in pictures, but to see it in person was incredible” Auslander said.

In April 2016, another group students traveled to Peru.

“It’s really important to me to see how other people live and what their traditions are because I’ve been raised in a very sheltered community my entire life,” Jessica Beck said. “Before making judgments and assumptions about other people and cultures, I think it’s important to see them first hand. Going to Peru was the perfect opportunity.”

On that trip, students visited the capital city of Lima, went to the top of Machu Picchu, and explored the catacombs.

“It’s hard to explain the feeling in words, but seeing the mountains for the first time was definitely my highlight. Everywhere we went from rural to urban Peru was breathtaking” Beck explained.

Going on a school trip also provides opportunities to make new friends and memories.

“I would one hundred percent recommend going on an abroad trip… if you go with some of your friends it’s the best time. There are so many unique memories that you make together,” Beck said.

“Sharing a hotel room with my best friend and traveling around together was really fun,” Auslander added.

However, being so far from home can have some struggles as well.

“About half of us [out of 20 students], myself included, got really sick for the last two days of the trip. It was probably the sickest I have ever been and to top it off it was happening in a foreign country without my family. Also, I did not know much Spanish, so I had to step out of my comfort zone a bit,” Beck recalled.

The chaperones and tour leaders were able to help the students get back into good health and continue on with their trip.

Beck said, “Despite getting sick, Peru was one of my favorite high school memories.”