Do you love traveling? Do you love traveling AND being with your friends? This past summer, some of the EPHS Tigers went to Ireland. Let’s dive deeper and get a better look at how this trip went!
Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and their parents/guardians received emails in the fall, inviting them to an informational meeting. These trips have been planned all over the world for the past several years. Some of the past trips were to Costa Rica, Spain, Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, and Sweden), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Vietnam), and the Dominican Republic. This year’s trip was to Ireland, and the next trip scheduled for the Summer of 2026 is to South Africa. The Ireland trip was for a duration of two weeks. The average cost between the eight places our Tigers traveled to the past few years is around $3,500. This covers everything from airfare and hotels to transportation and meals. You might be asking who pays for these trips. Students have to provide for themselves, which is one of the many reasons as to why the invite is sent during the fall.
Student Experiences
I have chosen to interview some students who have gone on the Ireland trip this summer to ask them about their experiences. Starting with Aby Bahena, who is a senior this year, I asked Aby about her favorite memory on the trip. Aby said, “My favorite memory from the trip was getting to see the dog and sheep heard.” Next, I asked Aby if she would go again. Aby said, “I don’t think I would go again but that’s only because of the price.” I wanted to hear about some of the activities Aby and her friends got to do during the trip: “We went Irish dancing, saw dog and sheep herds, visited several castles, and saw a lot of mountains.”
Next, I interviewed senior Eric Cardona. I asked about Eric’s favorite memory from the trip. Eric’s said, “My favorite memory would absolutely be kissing Blarney Rock: an unforgettable experience, turning upside down from 90 feet above the floor and climbing 200 medieval stairs, overcoming a fear and getting the best thrill ever.” Next, I asked Eric If he would go again. Eric said, “Going again is definitely on my personal places to go list. A second experience in Ireland would be amazing.” Lastly, I asked Eric about some of the activities they did. Eric told me, “We did numerous activities, some of them being EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, The Irish National Stud Farm & Gardens, and, a personal favorite, a class on Irish dancing!”
Teachers’ general takeaways
When reflecting back on her time as a primary chaperone of this trip, Ms. Ahlmann noted, “I adamantly believe travel, not tourism or family visits, but travel in the sense of having no safety net when you land, is not only foundational to learning who you really are but also one of the best reminders of how to be alive. Witnessing different lifestyles, specifically those in the countryside, was a nice reminder of the importance of slowing down and enjoying what is directly around you. No screens needed.”
When Ms. Vasey thought back to her experience on the trip, she stated, “Overall, I loved the trip! I think it is a great way for our students to experience other cultures and traditions. Seeing the different cities, countryside, etc. is such a unique experience. It was also a great experience for me as a chaperone who is not a teacher to meet and build relationships with students I normally did not work with. If I could, I would LOVE to go on the next trip to South Africa!”
Conclusion
If you agree with Ms. Ahlmann’s and Ms. Vasey’s takeaways, maybe the South Africa trip this upcoming summer is for you! The coordinators of our EPHS summer trips can always answer any questions posed about these adventures, so never hesitate to join your classmates, friends, and teachers on these awesome experiences!
