By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
When the Second Global Studies Annual Independent Experiential Educational Trip Abroad leaves Clay County, 12 of the 27 student travelers take their first trip abroad. Heather Anderson, Gabe Benedict, Kira Burch, Gage Brown, Carson Finn, Ian Herrada-Luna, Karson Hughes, Morgan Kent, Gary Hood, Porter Hood, Ephraim Jones and Brandon Rivera-Prieto have worked hard, just like the others traveling to Italy and Greece from June 9-18.
Global Studies sponsor, Ginger Scerri, said students maintain honor roll and good behavior after they apply for the trip with an essay. In addition, they must be in the program throughout middle school or serve as a high school mentor, even though this is not an official school-sponsored trip.
This week, we hear from six of the new travelers and the stories of the other six will run next week. These are all Hayesville Middle School eighth graders in alphabetical order.
Heather Anderson has been part of the program since grade six. “I had no idea two years ago would lead me to an opportunity to learn by actually traveling to the places we have learned about. This trip is honestly an opportunity I never thought I would have. I know traveling abroad is going to challenge my comfort zone but I also know I will learn a lot about adaptability,” she said. I know when I am abroad traveling for the first time on this trip, I will have to learn to navigate foreign environments, interact with a community very different from Hayesville and learn to appreciate the different worldviews a culture has. Using this newly acquired knowledge, I can then be a better leader than if I wasn’t able to go. Furthermore, seeing a new land could create unforgettable memories. I also think this trip will encourage me to travel abroad in the future and deepen my interest in different cultures. I am beyond excited, but more than anything I am just grateful.”
Gabe Benedict also shared his excitement. “I have been in Global Studies since I was first able to join in sixth grade. Global Studies and band are my home and I love constantly learning in both these programs,” he said. “I also want people who are looking to fund me to know how lucky I am to get this opportunity to travel overseas for the first time. Not a lot of people get an opportunity like this. For me, this opportunity is a game changer for my whole life. I’ve always wanted to see the beauties of another country and just never thought it would happen. I am excited to learn about the history of Italy and Greece. When traveling to there, I will get to immerse myself with the knowledge of the history and cultures of both places. I feel that leaving the country will profoundly change a person for the better. It can open a person’s eyes to new traditions, new cultures and perspectives, developing a stronger understanding and appreciation of the world’s diversity. I want to be able to explore the differences in the world and am so grateful to be able to do this.”
Another HMS student, Gage Brown has never traveled. “Except with field trips through school,” Brown explained. “This trip is honestly an opportunity I never ever thought I would have. I wonder what it will look like when we get to Italy and Greece and I wonder what everyone will sound like when the people start speaking different languages. I think this is going to be so overwhelming but in a good way. I hope I get the chance to talk to people over there to see what types of music they listen to and what books they read. I want to know if their answers will all be different or if we will have something in common. I don’t know what to expect traveling abroad for the first time at all and that is a little scary to me, but I also know this is an opportunity that will teach me so very much and I can’t wait to see what this does to me as a person. I am just really thankful for this opportunity.”
Kira Burch is excited about the history of the Duomo. “Also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. I have researched this and it is full of beautiful art, architecture and the sheer size of the cathedral is huge. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. I am very excited to be able to visit such a colossal church,” she said. “The cathedral itself was built in 1296 but once architect Arnolfo di Cambio died, the construction was postponed until 1334 when Giotto picked up the project and began to design Giotto’s bell tower that can be found at the end of the cathedral. There are several specific pieces of the cathedral I am excited about. These include seeing the Last Judgment painting on the ceiling of the dome, seeing the beautiful marble floors of the cathedral and being able to admire the statues that decorate the cathedral. The marble floors of the Duomo are made with pink, green, black, red and white marble; the flooring alone took 160 years to be completed and look like its beautiful ornate patterns. I can’t believe I am getting this opportunity,”
Carson Finn wants to bring education about the trip to students in grades six and seven so they will know about travel opportunities. “I can’t wait to see this trip changing the way I see the world. I want to become smarter and learn about other countries’ cultures while developing a deeper understanding of my own here in the United States of America,” he said. “Through this trip, I will be able to learn about different cultures and bring back information for our whole community. Being in a different country with people who can’t speak my language will make me appreciate the benefit of speaking multiple languages. I know it’s an important skill to learn, but where we live it is not a necessity. I also think going to these countries will help me become more independent and confident because I will have to figure things out in a new environment, maybe even in a different language. I really want to learn how to adapt to new situations and I believe this trip will help me connect to my future life plans. I’m interested in a career working with people from different cultures and countries or be able to travel to different countries for work. I think it will also help me develop as a person. This trip is a chance for me and my classmates to go somewhere beautiful and about the world that’s not taught in the average classroom. I am blessed and thankful to have this opportunity.”
Culture, along with authentic Italian pizza and pasta, excite Ian Herrada-Luna. “I can’t wait to be fully immersed in both these countries’ unique cultures and see how people speak, live, act and try what they eat. I’m excited to learn more about their religion and their beliefs. For Greece, I want to learn more about how they started democracy and how it spread and helped them. I also would like to experience the wonderful architecture, museums, beaches and beautiful cities. This trip could maybe change my entire future and choose a different path to follow like chef or artist.” His brother, Steven Herrada-Luna, traveled with Global Studies to Scotland last year. “He told me of all the wonderful experiences he had and how it made him love to travel. I would like to live the same experience as him. Thank you to everyone helping to make this trip possible.”
Students must each raise $2,300 and the organization will raise the rest. They have all been working odd jobs, but also doing group fund-raisers for several months. Scerri said most of the students live in low income families who are unable to assist with travel costs.
Join Global Studies Annual Independent Experiential Learning Trip Abroad on Facebook to hear more. To donate, email Ginger Scerri at: gingerbuchananscerri@gmail.com or donate to their account at SECU.