Foreign trips provide meaningful cultural, educational experiences

Ella Shi ’23 Managing Editor

Students sit in their first period Spanish class, admiring the culture of Spain through photos in textbooks or projected on a SmartBoard: of tapas, bullfighting and elegant cathedrals. They imagine themselves standing on the cobblestone steps of the Alhambra or tasting the jamón de serrano.

But at Staples, students have been able to turn their travel dreams into a reality as Staples offers trips to foreign nations such as Spain, Panama, Canada and more. The goal: immerse students in a new culture while providing educational meaning.

Jack Whittle ’23 attended the 2022 Spain tour this past April. He and a group of juniors and seniors toured major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, visiting popular tourist sights.

“Being in a foreign coun- try where they speak a different language, it really forces you to adapt,” Whittle said. “The best way to learn is by applying your skills.”

They also got to experience a more nuanced aspect of Spanish culture.

“We were there for a traditional Easter procession,” Whittle said. “So it was really interesting to see life in Spain versus life back in the States.” More tours are upcoming. In 2023, trips to Germany, Canada and Panama will be held. Some trips are even planned for 2024, including a STEM trip to Ecuador/Galapagos.

Science teacher Dominick Messina is one of the teachers attending the STEM Panama trip—facilitated by EF tours—along with 13 students.

“The purpose of the trip is to explore different cultures, ecosystems, engineering marvels (such as the Panama Canal) and conservation efforts that are underway to preserve the beautiful world we live in,” Messina said. “My hope is that students become inspired by what they see abroad and also get some experiences that will last a lifetime.”

While science is the main focus of the trip, there will be a balance between learning STEM and learning about the culture.

“We are also going to have some time getting to know the local communities and having traditional Panamani an dinner and entertainment. The main benefit of partnering with an experienced tour com pany like EF tours is that they set up and facilitate a mean ingful, well-rounded itinerary.”

Tavan Bhatia ’23, a stu dent attending the Panama trip, looks forward to this unique chance that offers a variety of learning opportunities.

“I can never imagine having this opportunity again to take a unique vacation and explore a passion for science through the lens of the environment,” Bhatia said. “I’m not going in with any expectations or specific things to learn about the culture. I’m just looking to take in anything I can and try and see a new perspective of a day-to-day life.”