A group of 24 students interested in the arts traveled to Europe over spring break on a trip that explored famous art museums, renowned architectural works and popular traditional dances.
During the 11-day trip through France and Spain, the group visited famous art sites such as the Picasso and the Prado Museum in Barcelona, while still visiting iconic European landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
“It was surreal,” junior William Simpson said. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime, particularly just seeing the Eiffel Tower.”
The trip was lead by art teacher Michael Corigliano, who hoped that the trip would do more than merely expose students to famous works of art.
“Hopefully, for some people it will be their first time out of the country, so they will get a chance to see the world and have the opportunity to see another place, Corigliano said. “Basically just see that there is a bigger world out there.”
Junior Courtney Pore realized some distinct cultural differences between the places they traveled to.
“It was really interesting to just see the difference between the way they treated Americans in Spain and the way they treated them in France,” Pore said.
Corgliano was inspired to create the trip because of his own experience in high school, during which he left the United States for the first time to go on a photography tour of Europe.
“There was a teacher who did it for me, and I [wanted] to give that same opportunity to the students that I got—that’s why I did it, it’s not a selfish reason,” Corigliano said, adding that he wants to pass on the tradition.
Plans for a similar trip to Italy and Greece next year are already in the making.