Via Verde Volume 4 Issue 1

NOV 2023 Volume 4, Issue 1

Via Verde Student Travel Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE Adventuring in Alaska

pg. 8

San Francisco vs New York

pg. 18

Immersed in Ireland

pg. 21

WANT TO PLACE AN AD WITH US? Contact viaverdemagazine1@gmail.com

Santorni, Greece

Photo by Aryan Kawatra

PUBLICATION POLICY Operating under California Education Code 48907, Via Verde, a student travel magazine published by students at Palo Alto High School, is a designated limited open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The staff welcomes letter to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity.

Send all letters to viaverdemagazine1@gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301.

ADVERTISING

The staff published advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience.

For more information about advertising with Via Verde, please email us at viaverdemagazine1@gmail.com.

PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION Via Verde is printed by aPrintis in Pleasanton, California. The Via Verde staff will distribute copies at no cost around the Palo Alto High School campus. All previous Via Verde work is available at issuu.com/viaverdemag.

VIA VERDE

MAY 2023 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

Palo Alto High School’s Travel Magazine

MISSION STATEMENT Via Verde aims to be a travel magazine that uses the power of the student press and desktop publishing to pursue the values of the Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto High School and scholastic journalism. More specifically, the mission of the Via Verde is to provide: The Paly community with information on travel issues from student perspectives; a forum for students to submit and publish their experiences related to travel; and an independent journalistic magazine that models integrity and creativity seeking to educate its readers on local and international cultures; The larger scholastic journalism community with a role model publication that embodies the best of scholastic journalism and for future student-created magazines; and, The magazine’s student staff with journalistic and leadership opportunities that increase their ability and desire to participate meaningfully in our society and global community; and skills to become leaders within future endeavors.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome aboard to Via Verde! We are delighted to have you travel around the world through a Paly student lens.

Via Verde, Paly’s unique student travel magazine is back for its first issue in Volume 4. Via Verde serves as a space where students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives on local and international travels with the discovery of new cultures.

In this issue, from Alaska to Ireland, Via Verde offers a multitude of once-in-a-lifetime travel stories. Staff writer Anika Nair touching upon the challenges of studying abroad and staff writer Joseph Kessler with his harrowing story encountering falcons in Ireland, both adding to our Reflect section.

Within our explore section,guest writer Julia Curtis’ “Danish Days” goes into depth her observations from Copenhagen, Denmark. Meanwhile, guest writer Sabrina Terman details her harrowing stories from adventuring in Alaska.

Beginning its comeback after a 4 year hiatus, Via Verde is excited to share this journey with you, traversing international lands and exploring new cultures.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lara Su Dumanli PHOTO AND ART DIRECTOR Vivian Tang STAFF WRITERS Anika Nair Joseph Kessler Sophia Yang Vivian Lin GUEST WRITERS Sabrina Terman Julia Curtis Meryem Orazova SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Austin Eng ADVISER Paul Kandell

CONNECT @viaverde.mag issuu.com/viaverdemag

ON THE COVER Palo Alto High School Junior Clara Hoffman stands inside a rocky landscape in Moab, Utah.

Photo by Clara Hoffman

Bon voyage!

Lara Su Dumanli

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IN THIS ISSUE

Wengen, Switzerland

Photo by Abby Wolf

INSIDE 6 Lift-off

EXPLORE 8 Alaska 10 Denmark 12 California

REFLECT 16 Study Abroad 18 SF vs NYC 20 Ireland 22 Scuba 24 Gallery

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VERBATIM

BEST TRAVEL PLAYLIST

TSA HORROR STORY

Compiled by LARA SU DUMANLI

Cigarette Daydreams

3:28

•••

Northern Attitude

4:27

•••

Cage the Elephant

Noah Kahan

Mr. Rager Kid Cudi

4:54

“Basically, a while back, before I moved to the U.S. I had to use a green card so whenever I came here they would look at the green card. But for no apparent reason, there was one time where I got sent to secondary inspection four times and while you’re in there they don’t let you use your phone or anything so it was really boring.”

•••

— DYLAN CHEN, sophomore

The Spins Mac Miller

3:15

Everybody Wants to Rule 4:11 the World

•••

•••

Tears for Fears

Sex on Fire Kings of Leon

Empire State Of Mind

“So one time I was going from Norway with my mom, and they [the TSA] stopped my mom and I and just asked us if we had a remote at home. They just kept asking us and checked us but they never explained why and ended up taking something random away.”

— EUNICE WONG, junior

3:23

JAY-Z, Alicia Keys

4:36

Home (2019)

4:44

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

•••

•••

•••

“I think once, we were going somewhere and my brother got pulled over for a ‘random check’ just because he’s decent sized, Indian, he has a beard and everything.

Sometimes things like that makes it feel like the TSA has serious racial profiling issues.”

— AAVARITI KATARIA, junior

Compiled by VIVIAN TANG

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Text and photos by SABRINA TERMAN

ADVENTURING IN

ALASKA

BY LAND AND SEA

I

T WAS LATE SUMMER WHEN I arrived in Alaska for a three-week backpacking trip with nine friends. At it’s end, we had completed three multiday backpacking excursions and over eight day hikes. Although each had their individual beauties, my favorite was by far Johnson Pass.

The Pass’s first day took us deep into a forest, where hundreds of huge flies would attack your skin, almost in a buzzing blanket!

Luckily, the following day took us beyond the fly-infested forest and instead to lush valleys with cow parsley as tall as stop signs and blades of grass as thick as notebooks that covered the trail.

After Johnson Pass, we spent four or five days hiking day trails near the Kenai River.

During the three-hour boat ride we marveled at porpoises, dozing sea lions, puffins diving, and even whales breaching. Our destination was the Kenai Fjords, a glacier-carved valley.

Upon reaching our camp-out beach, we kayaked three hours to Holgate glacier. Paddling through caves, we encountered mollusks and starfish feeding off the rocks.

Our final day of paddling concluded with a trip to Aialik Glacier. At my request, everyone shared five minutes of silence while rafted together, enveloped by the sounds of birds and rushing water through the glacier. It is eye-opening to know all life goes on whether or not humans are present. I felt like I was in the most wonderful nature documentary.

Back at the beach, we were picked up by our water taxi. Along the way we kept our eyes out for wildlife. A group of eight or so humpbacks circled each other around schools of fish singing echolocation to paralyze them while they munched. Witnessing this natural phenomenon was an incredible way to conclude the remarkable journey of adventuring through Alaska. v

MY FAVORITE MOUNTAINS (ABOVE) This picture was taken on our way to summiting Twin Peaks Trail off of Eklutna Lake by rock climbing up the steep and rocky trail. In back of us, a deep valley of forest was filled with animals — just moments ago we had spotted a moose. Photo by Sabrina Terman KAYAKING TO AIALIK (BELOW) Soon enough, our kayaking party would reach Aialik Glacier—our final destination for the trip. I am in a raincoat and bennie to keep warm from the freezing water. Photo by Sabrina Terman.

ALMOST TO SYMPHONY LAKE (LEFT) On this bridge my friends and I took a few moments to listen to and watch the river flow into the valley where we just came from. After our pause, we immediately scaled the rock pile behind us for an hour or so to reach the last mile until our campsite. Photo by Sabrina Terman

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Text by by JULIA Textand andphotos images JULIACURTIS CURTIS

HOUSES ON THE CANAL (ABOVE) Perhaps one of Copenhagen’s most famous and picturesque attractions are the colorful and vibrant houses lined up across from the Nyhavn canal, as seen here. Hundreds of years ago, these buildings were painted from dreary cobblestone to saturated reds, blues, and yellows.

THE DIVIDE (BELOW) Beautiful, modern, public apartments are integrated all over the city alongside expensive 19th-century homes, resulting in an absence of homelessness. Here, a canal separates public housing on the left from historic apartments on the right, the children in each attending the same schools, despite their division.

Danish Days

I

A WEEK IN COPENHAGEN

STEPPED OFF THE SUBWAY TO CENTRAL COPENHAinspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The play was brought to life, spiral stone GEN, THE water in each canal bobbing in the wind, accommostaircases, a church of dark wood and golden accents, underground dating small boats, kayaks, and swimmers. Towers pierced the sky tunnels, and grassy hills of wildflowers included. Next, just outside of the above, overlooking modern homes and brick buildings. city, I stopped by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, named after the Even as rain began to pour, the Danfounder’s three wives, all bearing the name “Louise.” The ish sky appeared bright, lighting up art was as interesting as the name, displaying a fifteen-foot Even as rain began to pour, the the blue-green oxidized statues and tall woven wicker sculpture, a golden 6-foot statue of a cobblestone streets below. I had just thumb, and TV screens of guitar-playing hippies. The muDanish sky appeared bright, arrived in Denmark for a week-long seum was home to an orange cat, climbable trees, rollable lighting up the blue-green oxivacation, and already I couldn’t wait hills, and a beautiful view. Back in Copenhagen, I next dized statues and cobblestone to explore the city. visited an architectural museum, which showcased both But what was most evident and classic and modern architecture, as well as a three-story streets below. surprising, was the abundant number slide from the top to the ground floors. of bicycles. Bikes of all colors and But what I took from every encounter in Copenhagen was styles flooded the streets, parked by buildings and ridden by locals. An the contrast between old and new, past and future. elevated bike lane accompanied every road in the city. Even in a city like I first thought about this at one of the oldest amusement parks in the Palo Alto, with dedicated bike lanes, ours aren’t nearly as safe as the ones world, Tivoli, which incorporates many newer rides and attractions enin Copenhagen, which highlights the prioritization of bike culture in joyed alongside the original ones. While waiting in line for half an hour Denmark. to ride the “Demon,” a new, red, dare-devil roller coaster, the lines were What better way to immerse tourists in a city with five times more just as long as the “Mountain Coaster,” running since 1914. The dual apbicycles than cars than a guided bike tour? I thought precisely this as I preciation of old and new in Copenhagen was apparent, in politics, art, began to pedal past monuments, such as the famous little mermaid statarchitecture, and everything in between. ue and century old homes, as well as parks, bridges, and bodies of water, It was on one of these Tivoli rides, 80 meters above Copenhagen, that I all guided by an enthusiastic Danish man. had a perfect bird’s eye view of the city, the city that continues to strive Over the next few days I visited Kronborg Castle, the palace that for a better future, while embracing its history. v

TIVOLI GARDENS Here, I stand in the Great America of Denmark: Tivoli Gardens, the oldest functioning amusement park in the world. It has exhibited sprawling ponds and greenery, streets of restaurants and food stands, prizes hanging from the ceilings of carnival games, as well as rides and roller coasters of all sorts, since 1843.

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moad, Utah Photo by Clara Hoffman

ADVERTISE FOR YOUR HOMESTAY

If you had a great time at your homestay abroad and would like to support your host school by telling people about your great experience, Via Verde will help you make an ad that will draw attention to your overseas hosts and teachers!

Contact us at viaverdemagazine1@gmail.com

HAPPY TRAILS Text and photos by SOPHIA YANG

GOING OUTSIDE WITH TEENS

CALIFORNIA Seniors Hannah Singer and Olivia Atkinson enjoy the view of the pastel sunset during a backpacking trip last November. The expansive space of the Montebello Open Space Preserve provided for with breathtaking views of both the mountains and the distant Pacific Ocean.

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H

ALF AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE mountains and five minutes away from the baylands, there are a plethora of opportunities for students to hike and spend the weekend outdoors. Hiking provides for a respite from the hustle and bustle of school; nature’s ability to calm and smooth away the ragged edges of a trying week is unparalleled. From a short jog at the Baylands or an overnight backpacking trip, there are opportunities for everyone to embrace the grandeur of the great outdoors. v

Russian Ridge After the destruction of the atmospheric river last year, the trail was teeming with lush green plant life, and the carpet of debris was soft underfoot. We embarked on the hike on a drizzly Sunday with biting wind. The first portion of the hike took us through grassy hills where we saw a lone hiker sitting far off trail, contrasting starkly against the rollicking gray clouds. As we walked further, mossy trees began populating the trail, the air becoming more humid as droplets dripped periodically from the snaking branches. Making our way further along, the trail opened up again as we stopped to look down a ravine, where the storm had torn off a large half of the trail, a stream of dirt breaking off into the valley below. The cloud cover broke as we continued down into the valley and up an incline again, admiring the beautiful sunlit greenery.

Monte Bello At first glance, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve looks like any other collection of trails located just off of Skyline Boulevard, but the preserve is actually home to a great trail perfect for backpacking beginners. The hike was short but fairly strenuous, with the trail snaking through yellow grass and boasting a view of the ocean. Despite the chill of the November air, we were all sweating from carrying our heavy packs up the trail. By the time we had arrived at the designated campsite, the sun was slipping over the horizon, painting the sky in a dazzling array of colors, from a soft blue and pink to a vibrant orange and yellow. After darkness had almost completely fallen, we feasted on Kraft mac and cheese and a variety of trail mix, finishing the night of tiring hiking with s’mores.

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Text and photos by ANIKA NAIR

Trouble in Paradise?

How to combat homesickness

BEAUTIFUL ANTIBES: After a 2 hour hike up windy roads, my friends and I made it to Plage de la Baie de Milliardaires, a famous beach in Antibes, France known for its beautiful views. We spent time tanning on the sand, swimming in the bright blue water, and jumping off jaded rocks.

I

N THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH THE sounds of the ocean bashing against rocks, conversations in French drifting from the restaurants, and college kids excited for summer vacation dancing to music from beach clubs: I was in the epitome of the famous European summer that you’ve seen all over social media. Yet sitting on the rock beach, facing the ocean, the only thing I could do was bawl my eyes out listening to my father’s voice 6,000 miles away. In the midst of euphoria surrounding me, all I wanted to do was pack my bags and get on the next flight out to my comfortable California home with my family.

The Summer of 2023 will always go down as one of the best experiences of my life. On June 3, the day after school ended, I was on a flight to Nice, France, my home for two months.

Participating in a French immersion program, the first week was a dream. I met so many new people and traveled throughout the South of France. Well … until I got homesick.

As I observed my friends, I realized homesickness can either be gradual or sudden, nevertheless it was inevitable. My friends and I suffered those small moments of just wanting to be home and the daunting aspect of staying for months furthered our feelings.

So how did I battle this? Well, facetiming and calling family and friends helps. Hearing their voice and the things they were up to gave me a little taste of home. Also, when I wasn’t in class, I was with my friends laughing and joking over pizza and drinks, or on the cramped trains heading to French towns that provided more adventure. Homesickness can happen and is totally normal, as long as you keep small connections and keep yourself busy soon you’ll be able to adapt to your new life.

Jonas Patrolia, a trip coordinator who works for Education First, a study abroad program, talked about how homesickness hits during the second week and how to overcome it.

“Go to every activity that they have. Get out there and make friends and really be active those first couple of weeks because something happens on that second weekend,” Patrolia said As a teenager living in a new continent alone you are going to go through things that will change you. You will be forced to leave your comfort zone, and always be open to new experiences and friends.

I no longer have close-minded ideas when meeting new people and because of this trip I’ve learned to be friends with different types of people. As I saw my friends 24/7, connections formed strong and fast, and I learned about so many different cultures from people all over the world.

Lastly, keeping a journal throughout your trip will help channel any feelings as well as establish a record of your trips.

Keeping my journal was a crucial emotional crutch especially when I was going through something where emotions were changed every day. Reading through this journal after the trips serves as a reminder of your trip especially after taping in pictures and mementos you collected.

Even through my struggles, this trip was life-changing.

I will never forget the late nights partying turning into early mornings swimming in the Mediterranean, or mouth-watering food and drinks. Studying abroad has impacted my life tremendously, I became more outgoing and connected better with strangers. I learned how to adapt to different cultures, and how to battle homesickness.

“High school is the best time to go because that’s when everybody your age is going and that’s when you learn a language the best, when you’re at your most social life, and just started learning about the world,” Patrolia said. v

QUIET IN FRANCE: The quiet and small town of Menton, France home to many boutiques selling jewelry and perfume. Lemon is a staple in this town with vendors scattering the streets selling lemon slushies, candy, and drinks.

ADVENTURING NICE: Walking through the streets of Nice, France before going to dinner which included delicious food, and a lot of laughter. Afterwards we would take to the beach and overlook the sunset.

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Text and photos by VIVIAN LIN

SF

v.s.

I

URBAN LIVING FROM COAST TO COAST

looked out the car window, surveying the sea of cars running down the steep street.

The familiar colorful Victorian houses lined up neatly against the gray San Francisco sky, adding a pop of color to the atmosphere.

Summers in San Francisco were way colder than I had anticipated. The t-shirts and leggings I brought exposed me to the howling winds and had to be swapped out for a puffer jacket and sweatpants. Over the course of two weeks I revisited iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Ferry Building. I was surprised by the peacefulness of the city. The windy parks barely had any people and the streets were rela-

tively empty, besides the occasional dog walker or runner.

After two weeks in the foggy city, I eagerly hopped onto a plane bound for New York City, a place with much warmer temperatures.

Stepping onto the streets of NYC, I was greeted by the hustle and bustle of the city: wailing sirens, honking cars, brisk-walking commuters holding coffee while walking their dog and talking on the phone, and the distinct smell of garbage and smoke. Crosswalks were crowded with people who didn’t even bother to follow traffic laws.

The commotion of NYC made San Francisco seem like a suburban neighborhood. The towering skyscrapers seemed twice the height of those in San Francisco. Street food carts and vendors selling hats and bags lined the sidewalks, unlike the streets of San Francisco, which were lined with the tents of homeless people.

While San Francisco offers a taste of urban living, one must go to New York City to truly experience the thrill of city life. v

NYC

ICONIC ARCHITECTURE (BOTTOM RIGHT) Walking through Alamo Square park in San Francisco one afternoon, I snapped a picture of a group of people picnicking on a hill. The Victorian buildings lining the skyline are one of the iconic features of SF which set it apart from other cities.

DEFYING GRAVITY (ABOVE) While I was eating pizza across the street from Lincoln Center one night, a skateboarder was attempting a few tricks nearby. I noticed a bigger skating culture in New York City, with many skateboarders performing tricks on the streets, and some zooming through traffic. The streets of NYC also feature many street islands, small strips of land which separate traffic traveling in opposite directions.

Some street islands have tables and chairs set up, making them a perfect place to relax and have a meal.

PATIENTLY WAITING (TOP MIDDLE) Walking through a Brooklyn flea market on a Saturday afternoon, this man’s exquisite pants design caught my eye. The flea market featured vintage sunglasses, unique articles of clothing, and handcrafted jewelry, all at sky high prices. Though I didn’t buy anything at the market, I was able to capture a few good photos.

CASUAL COMMUTER (MIDDLE) NYC is truly the city that never sleeps.

Even by night, the streets bustle with commotion — people zoom along the roads on bikes or motorcycles and crowd into subway cars.

Music and laughter drift from restaurants and cafes, as people line up to grab a donut or a coffee for the night. San Francisco’s nightlife, on the other hand, is a lot more quiet.

SHOPPING CENTRAL (TOP RIGHT) While the older buildings in SF tend to be in Victorian styles, the buildings in NYC are primarily brick or modern skyscrapers. The photo above depicts Soho, one of the most popular shopping areas in NYC. Soho features luxury boutiques and high end restaurants in cast-iron buildings along picturesque cobblestone streets.

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Ireland IMMERSED IN

THE EMERALD ISLAND’S HIDDEN GEM

W

wHILE I REMEMBER elementary school assemblies featuring hawks and owls, I never imagined having a live bird of prey perched on my own arm. However, this summer, I came face to face with three different raptors, all part of an unforgettable falconry experience at the Powerscourt Estate outside of Dublin, Ireland.

Located in Enniskerry, Ireland, about 17 miles south of Dublin, the Powerscourt Estate is a lush, green 47-acre property that includes a Marriott hotel, two 18-hole golf courses, a world-famous garden, and a whiskey distillery.

My family visited Powerscourt in July 2023 as part of a larger trip to Ireland. When our taxi arrived at the Powerscourt Hotel, a jovial greeter wearing a top hat and suit opened the doors and welcomed us into the check-in area.

Walking inside, I felt an immediate sense of calm. Beyond the seating area, someone played a grand piano in a dining area, in front of floorto-ceiling windows overlooking an expansive green lawn.

The day after arrival, my parents and I walked outside on the hotel grounds for our falconry appointment. Falconry is recognized by the United Nations as an element of Ireland’s cultural heritage, with the practice dating back more than 1000 years.

Wayne, the professional falconer, explained that we would be interacting with a selection of birds of prey, with one falcon providing flying displays and two other birds available for holding and private “hawk walks.” Wayne demonstrated how to call the falcon over to grab a piece of chicken from our glove. Then, he inserted chicken between our thumb and fingers, and then called the falcon over. To release the falcon, we were taught to swing our arm forward.

After the flying displays, Wayne put the first bird back into its box, and he brought out a beautiful white owl. The final bird was a hawk that was much more stout than the previous birds.

Falconry was a bucket list experience I did not know I wanted, but I am glad I tried it.

While I might not need to repeat falconry, I hope to book a return visit to Powerscourt, perhaps with golf clubs, to enjoy all that the estate has to offer. v HOTEL VIEW (LEFT): The view from our hotel was absolutely astounding. The verdant trees and the bright green grass really made me feel like I was in a fairtyale. During my stay in Ireland, it was common to witness the bright blue skies. It’s forever brightness left a lasting impression on the beauty of Ireland. This view will always stay in my mind. Photo by Joseph Kessler

FIERCE FALCON (RIGHT): During on Falconry visit, Wayne brought of a peregrine flacon. Its calm yet intimating deamoner made it such an intriguing animal to look at.

I never imagined being this close to a peregrine falcon.

We later found out that when diving, a peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on the planet, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour. Photo

by Joseph Kessler.

ENTRANCING ENCOUNTER (BELOW): In the backyard of the hotel I stayed in, surrounded by lucsious green trees, our guide brought a cage, with a fluffy white barn owl. When I was holding the bird, I was surprised by how light it was.

I was even more surprised when I felt its soft feathers.

Contrary to what I thought, the owl was calm and was really respectful. Photo by Joseph Kessler.

Text and photos by JOSEPH KESSLER

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Diving in deep EXPLORING THE DEPTHS

F

Text by MERYEM ORAZOVA

ifty feet beneath the surface, Palo Alto High School sophomore Arjun Bharat is swimming through a school of surrounding glistening fish. The video portrays bubbles rising from his mouthpiece through the sunlit aquamarine water. Bharat looks back at the camera and points at a manta ray gliding smoothly. Far from the dusty pink coral in the turquoise Maldivian water, Bharat would rather take advantage of his precious vacation under the sea.

“It truly fascinates me,” Bharat said, reflecting on how he felt during the video. “To see a majestic animal like that glide by, it truly felt like I was in a different world” Bharat is part of a global community of millions who have discovered an enduring love for scuba diving. Unable to go on frequent expeditions, he makes the most of each opportunity given.

“Each dive is a cherished experience for me,” Bharat said. “It’s rare that I’m actually able to go out and into the water, so I really enjoy every second of it.”

Bharat’s first scuba expedition was just four years ago. His initial interest in marine biology set off his enthusiasm for scuba diving.

He discovered this spark at just five years old, when his mother would show him educational science videos in place of cartoons.

“I found this guy that I really liked called Jonathan Bird,” Bharat said. “He would explain about marine wildlife with such excitement and energy that I couldn’t help being passionate about it too.”

Bharat has also taken a step further to advance his scuba diving career and learn more about marine wildlife. While most teenagers around his age get their driver’s licenses, Bharat has decided to get a license that he would enjoy more.

“I got scuba diving certified in Maui, and I’m not gonna lie, it was tough,” Bharat said. “I had to take off all my equipment and gear underwater and put it back on again, all within a limited time. It requires a lot of swimming too.”

In the face of these challenges, Bharat still managed to get his scuba license and has it mounted on a wall in his room to see every day.

“Keeping the certificate there reminds me of how far I’ve come,” Bharat said. “It’s a small step in the right direction of becoming the person I want to be.”

For Bharat, the ocean isn’t just a place, and when he’s underwater, it’s his entire world. When he’s not submerged underwater, you can bet that you’ll find him seeking out new places to dive.

“My next trip is to Monterey where I’ll hopefully be able to just do a simple dive to get back into the swing of things, conditions permitting,” Bharat said. “It’s been a while since the summer.” v

GORGEOUS is known for Oceanograp education an

SUBMERGED IN: Surrouned by an abundance of fish, Bharat (‘26) scuba dives as he remains feets beneath the surface of the water. Photo by Arjun Bharat.

CAPTIONS LOOKING IN: HERE Looking into a microscope, Bharat (‘26) examines plankton during his summer internship at University of California San Diego, which is well known for its remarkable marine biology program.

Photo by Arjun Bharat.

EOUS WAVES: La Jolla’s captivating shore, which wn for giving place to the Scripps Institution of nography, overlooks a cliff. “It was the perfect mix of tion and summertime fun, Bharat ‘26 said.

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LANDING GALLERY OF STUDENT TRAVEL PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Wind River,Wyoming

Photo by Clara Hoffman

Truckee, United States

Photo by Megan Lemoine

Óbidos, Portugal Photo by Riya Kamath Kini

Lofoten,NORWAY

Photo by Alma Bendavid

Kauai, United States

Photo by Polina van Hulsen

VIA Verde

GALLERY STUDENT TRAVEL PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Boston, United States

Photo by Kensie Pao

KAUAI, United States

Photo by Kasmira Lada

Lofoten,Norway

Photo by Alma Bendavid

Basin Peak, United States

Photo by Megan Lemoine

Tokyo, Japan

Photo by Alyssa Lin

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Wengen, Switzerlnad

Photo by Abby Wolf