For most high school students, spring break is a time to relax and hang out with friends. This year though, several students had the opportunity to visit foreign countries and learn about the culture and history of places like Greece and Italy.

“My favorite part of the trip was spending all day bonding and hanging out with all the other kids and teachers,” junior Rebekah Snodgrass said. “My favorite country was Italy because the scenery and streets were a lot prettier and more enjoyable than the ones in Greece.”

They were constantly on the move from one place to another, so there was no time to sit back and relax.

“Because we traveled with a large group, we had everything planned to the exact minute,” Snodgrass said. “I wish we could have taken more time at some of the places we visited to have the full experience of the cities.”

Due to the strict time schedule the students couldn’t do everything that they wanted to.

“I wish we could have had more time to just hang out in the city and have time to interact with the locals,” junior Cameron Davis said.

Teachers who accompanied the students on the trip hope the students learned something from the experience.

“I hope it whetted their appetites for travel to foreign places,” English teacher Suzy Richards said. “I hope the trip inspires the students to be lifelong travelers and learners.”

Being in a new place not only allowed the students to meet new people, it also provided an exposure to languages and customs.

“Communication wasn’t really a problem,” Richards said. “A few times it was difficult to speak with the locals, but there, it is required to learn English and other languages in school, which was nice because we could communicate with locals.”

They visited many places throughout the 10-day trip and said that the classic artwork and architecture amazed all of them.

“A favorite sight was the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican,” Richards said. “Michelangelo’s paintings covered the ceiling and back wall. It was incredible.”

The teachers enjoyed the trip and hoped that the students got just as much out of the trip.

“I hope my students appreciate the awesomeness of the places they visited,” English teacher Catina Lee said. “They can now say that they have stood in some of the most famous spots in the world. That’s pretty exciting for a young person.”

The art wasn’t the only thing to be raved about by the students on the trip, European food was an experience in itself.

“The food there was very nice and freshly made, not like fast food restaurants here,” Snodgrass said. “We had lots of authentic pasta and pizza made fresh for us to enjoy.”

While the students were all excited to be back in Texas, they are eager to return and spend more time learning and experiencing other cultures.

“I would definitely go back and visit whenever I could,” Snodgrass said. “It was an amazing opportunity.”