Jasper Junior/Senior High School students are gearing up for a European adventure, as they prepare to set off on a major school trip across the pond March 21.
They鈥檒l start off in Berlin, and over the course of three weeks visit Dresden, Prague, Krakow, Paris and a host of other European cities, hitting more than 30 attractions along the way.
鈥淭he countdown鈥檚 on鈥攊t鈥檚 less than 40 days now,鈥� said J.J. Keogan, one of the students taking the trip.
Feb. 13, he and a handful of the 36 students taking the trip sat in a classroom during their lunch break.
Talking amongst themselves, and over one another, they gushed about the attractions they will get to visit and the places they will get to stay.
鈥淥h, we鈥檙e staying at a bunch of hostels that look five star,鈥� said Desiree Alton, over the din of her classmates, 鈥渢hey look so amazing鈥攖here鈥檚 a psychedelic shower in one of them.鈥�
Many of them were excited to visit historic landmarks like Auschwitz, The Jewish Museum and Europe鈥檚 many cathedrals and churches.
鈥淚鈥檓 actually really excited to see Auschwitz鈥攊t鈥檚 probably going to be the highlight of my trip,鈥� said Ayoumi Nayak.
The trip is primarily a cultural experience, however teacher Barb Schmidt explained that every student taking the trip completed an eight-hour tourism module in preparation.
Students split into groups, with each researching one of their destinations, and giving a presentation to their classmates on some history and notable tourist attractions of that place. They also learned how to be good travellers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an Alberta curriculum course. It鈥檚 basically comparing Jasper鈥檚 tourism to [the tourism industry] of where we鈥檙e going,鈥� Schmidt said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good way to give them one more credit on their high school transcript.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of given us some insight into where we鈥檙e going,鈥� added student Jaymes Schmidt.
According to teacher Geoff Fraser, the school tries to host a trip every two years, to give every high school student the opportunity to go.
About half of the students in the room said they had never before been to Europe, so for many the trip is a big deal. Not only is it a chance to get to know some of their peers better, but for some it鈥檚 even a chance to connect with their roots.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important for a lot of people to go. For example, on my grandfather鈥檚 side I鈥檓 Polish, and I鈥檓 going to be visiting Poland. That鈥檚 going to be really cool, to see where my ancestors are from,鈥� said Michael Peleshaty.
聽Trevor Nichols
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