BonnerSprings.com

Back from a short tour of Europe, 13 Bonner Springs High School students have seen, tasted and felt what they had once only read about in textbooks.

Jennifer Schlicht, BSHS social studies teacher and leader of the group, said the trip, which took students to France, England and Spain from July 1 to July 15, was an opportunity for students to experience aspects of the world that could never be experienced in the United States.

“It was fun, and I think the kids had a good time,” Schlicht said. “We got to do some cool stuff, and one thing after the other, we got to see what they’ve been learning in their textbooks.”

Schlicht said from experiences such as trying paella and churros, traditional Spanish foods, to seeing art in person in museums such as the Louvre in Paris and the Prado Art Museum in Madrid, the students who participated in the trip got the opportunity of a lifetime.

“It was really cool for them to make those connections,” Schlicht said of experiencing the different cultures they learn about in school.

Schlicht said the trip also got the students out of their comfort zones and forced them to navigate an unknown world. The students were often given free time, Schlicht said, in which they roamed a certain area on their own, honing their ability to use maps and time management skills.

There were several activities that Schlicht said stood out as highlights of the trip.

As the World Cup began during the trip, Schlicht said she and some students watched the first game of the soccer series from an English pub. As the U.S. tied England in the game, Schlicht said it was fun to be in the atmosphere with other soccer fans.

“After the game, people were high-fiving us and telling us, ‘your country did a great job,’” Schlicht said.

Another interesting experience came in Spain when the students went to see a bull fight. Schlicht said the fight was supposed to be a training match for bull fighters learning the ropes, so no bulls were going to be hurt.

When the students arrived, that all changed when it became a real competition and as with every bull fight, the bull is killed in the end.

“Some kids didn’t stay,” Schlicht said, “but for those who did, they all said that while it was something that was absolutely horrifying, it’s something that been going on longer than (America) has been a country. It is part of the culture. While they don’t understand it, they thought it was interesting.”

The group also managed to go to three different beaches, in two countries in one day, Schlicht said of their trek between France and Spain.

Leading the group the whole way, Schlicht said was their tour guide, Chris Morrison, who is also the founder of Care Highway, International, a international humanitarian organization.

Schlicht said Morrison inspired several students to get involved in volunteer work that will continue into the next school year as students initiate projects to aid Morrison’s organization.

“He really made the trip memorable,” Schlicht said. “Several times he came across those in crisis and swooped in to save the day.”

Comments