This past summer, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) commissioned four trips around the world. These tours are a huge learning experience for any student attending, getting the ability to see so many communities different from America. These trips allow students to change their outlook on different parts of the world and help them develop leadership skills. The summer trips this year featured London, New Zealand, Japan and Vietnam.
The first trip of the summer was to London and was led by Sean Bryan, Director of Fine Arts, and Donna Pottorff, a Visual and Performing Arts teacher. This trip focused on the world of British history, culture, and theater. During their days in London, students visited the Globe Theater, Regent’s Park Open Air Theater, Tate Modern and the Royal Haymarket. “All of the shows that we went to were my favorite part, they were pretty cool. I loved getting to see all of the old English theaters,” said junior Noah Eisenman.
The second trip to take off was to New Zealand with US Computer Science Chairperson Charlie Bryant, US English Teacher Emily Washburn and US Visual and Performing Arts Teacher Donnice Bloodworth. Throughout the trip, the group completed a wide range of ecological activities such as zip lining, visiting sites like grottos, eco-sanctuaries, Mount Cook and a Māori village called Whakarewarewa to learn about geothermal activity in New Zealand. This trip also focused on the government where they learned about the unicameral coalition-based government of New Zealand. The group also learned a lot about the flora and fauna of New Zealand. “New Zealand was the highlight of my summer. My favorite part was probably the luge ride in Queenstown or our early morning hike at Mount Cook that Mr. Bryant led. It was so much fun,” said Senior Anna Kate Howell.
The two Japan groups were next to leave. The first trip was led by US Math Teacher Krista Wilhelmsen and US World Language Teacher Laura Agront-Hobbs, while the second trip was headed by US Counselor Ellye Millaway and previous Associate Director of ICGL, Ted Ward. Visiting Kyoto first, the groups explored significant sites of the Shogun, tried traditional tea and visited the Geisha district and several shrines. The groups visited Hiroshima next, having a day for reflection and seeing Atomic Bomb sites like the Hiroshima Peace Park and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall. The first group even had the opportunity to meet a bomb survivor. “This was the best part of my day. It was crazy to meet someone who went through that first hand, and it was eye-opening,” said Class of ‘24 Rebecca Thompson. The groups also visited a Shitaki mushroom farm to learn about the planting of the mushroom, one of Japan’s major crops. “My favorite part of the trip was being able to see the Japanese countryside and stay with a family,” said Class of ‘24 Morgan Miller. On their last days, the groups watched a baseball game in Fukuoka.
The last group to leave was the trip to Vietnam, led by US History Teacher Mindy Lawrence and Associate Director of US Admissions De’ire Foxx. The group started in the North where they toured the Chi Chi Tunnels and visited a War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War. Next, the group flew to Da Nang in central Vietnam and visited the Golden Hands Bridge at the Sun World Amusement Park to learn about Western culture being transformed by the Vietnamese people. Throughout the whole trip, the group experienced Vietnamese cuisine, trying things like frog legs, spring rolls, snakeheads, pho and so much more. Back in Ho Chi Minh City, the group finished off their trip exploring the markets and the streets of Saigon. “Getting to bond with the upperclassmen was probably the best part of the trip, but it was a neat experience overall. I loved trying all of the food and I gained a greater appreciation for gratification, hard work, and determination,” said junior John Hardesty.
