Would you like to go to Thailand? Does a trip to Iceland or Portugal sound interesting? Many would say yes, which is why Madison faculty have worked hard to create unforgettable international experiences for students. From the Swiss Alps, to Japan to the Galapagos Islands, students have the opportunity to learn about the world around them while dabbling in some exciting activities along the way.
The idea for student international trips was first developed by Nutrition & Wellness teacher Rachel VanPelt back in 2014 when she realized she had never traveled outside the country. She decided she would like to experience the world and figured students would feel similarly.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity for both myself and students to travel abroad and get a better perspective of what else is out there,” Vanpelt said. “We started in Europe, doing France, Italy, Spain, Germany. Since I’ve been doing it for a while, I’ve gotten a little more adventurous, so we’ve branched out. We went to Peru, and this last summer we went to Japan.”
The trips are planned through Education First (EF), an international education company that helps plan the itineraries of these trips. EF offers many different trip opportunities, and VanPelt choses between them.
“I looked at the itineraries, and I decided what activities I thought would be most interesting to students.” Van Pelt said. “I’m doing Portugal for Spring Break as a safer option, and Thailand next summer as a more adventurous option.”
On these trips, students get unique opportunities to experience local customs. One popular activity is visiting small farms and local communities. For example, when Madison went to the Galapagos islands they visited a local food market and farm.
Joshua Shipman, a science teacher at Madison, went on the Galapagos trip with VanPelt, and talked about his time there.
“We also visited mainland Ecuador which is where we were much more involved in the local communities,” Shipman said. “That is where we visited a local farming community. The town was just outside Riobamba, Ecuador.”
Visiting local farms wasn’t exclusive to the Galapagos trip, however.
“When we go to Thailand we’re going to go to an organic farm and see how they grow coconuts, or go through the local markets,” Vanpelt said. “We’re going to go to the temples and the things you see on TV, as well as explore some of the more local paths.”
However, simply being on a trip does not mean students can behave as they please. Students are responsible for getting themselves ready on time, keeping track of their belongings and traveling with a group. EF provides an itinerary of activities, and teachers choose activities they feel will interest students. Students are also given a few hours a day of free time; going shopping, exploring local culture, and spending time in nature are common ways to pass the time.
For almost 10 years, these trips have provided students chances to see the world in unique ways that traditional family vacations often lack. The trips are made to appeal to every type of student.
Summer 2024, VanPelt plans on taking students to the Swiss Alps. Many are already looking ahead to the 2025 trips to Portugal, Thailand and Iceland. Although it is too late to sign up for the 2024 trips, students interested in learning about the 2025 trips can ask any questions by emailing VanPelt at [email protected], or talking to her directly in room 125 in the history hallway.