Over this past Spring Break, Lauri Gonalons lead 41 students along with Ms. Thornton and Mr. Fauver across 5 mesmerizing cities in France. I talked to Madison Hummer and Tyler Stroh to get the scoop about their experience.
Tyler Stroh (11th Grade)
Did you try any new food? If so, what?
I didn’t try any interesting new food but I did try France’s “rest stop” food for the first time. I got a pizza one day and sandwiches some other days and a raspberry tart another day and was pleasantly surprised by all of them. My favorite food discovery at the rest stops were Tuc crackers; they are like Ritz crackers but better.
What were some new things that you learned?
I learned so much from Julian, the tour guide, but one thing that I learned that will help me later on in life is how to get around on the metro. Super helpful.
Tell me your favorite memory of the trip.
The whole trip was one big great memory but if I had to pick a favorite it probably would be roaming through the streets in Paris, feeling like a true Parisian, and embracing the culture.
Would you recommend others to go on the trip next year? Why or why not?
I definitely would recommend others to go on the trip! The trip is great for both those who have never been out of the U.S. and for those who are experienced world travelers. You will learn and see so much and make so many friends. Towards the end of the trip the group is like one big family. I have been on many trips in different countries around the world; however, the France trip has definitely had the biggest impact on me. It is a once in a lifetime experience that will open your eyes to another country’s culture and will change your life.
Madison Hummer (11th Grade)
What was your favorite city that you visited on the trip? Why?
It’s hard to narrow it down to one city, but if I had to pick it would be St. Malo. It was the most unique town we visited and I had an awesome experience altogether there. St. Malo has extremely high tides that move in and out at a crazy speed, and the town has kept its old medieval walls and layout, which contrast beautifully against the blue and white beach.
What were some new things that you learned?
I learned a LOT about history and art history from our guide, Julian. He’s one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met and seemed to know everything about everything that has ever happened on the planet. Listening to his stories and commentary helped me connect a lot of the history I had already learned in school with physical places.
Tell me your favorite memory of the trip.
One of my favorite memories is visiting a cave called Gouffre de Padirac. It has a giant underground river system and we had to climb down about a million stairs through this giant hole in the Earth to get there. It sounds like something out of a fantasy novel because it basically once. We travelled around in boats, with water depths sometimes reaching about 20-30 feet. I still can’t believe it was real life.
Would you recommend others to go on the trip next year? Why or why not?
I would absolutely recommend this trip. Whether or not you know people going, or speak French, it doesn’t matter. The friendships you make will completely surprise you and the experiences you have will impact you in extraordinary ways. Leaving France at the end of the trip was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Trip Highlights:
Nice:
Amboise:
Avingnon:
St. Malo:
Paris:
