BOHS students travel to Europe
by Neha Sharda
A view of the Swiss Alps from the top of Mount Pilatus was only one of the many experiences French students had on their summer journey in Europe. From July 12 to 21, 41 BOHS affiliated students and adults, accompanied by 32 students and adults from Troy High School, immersed themselves in the cultures of France, Switzerland, and Germany.
According to Nadia Fox, French teacher and organizer of the trip, the journey’s purpose was to apply knowledge of French language and culture in a real world setting.
“This will hopefully give them a love for the language and teach them that there’s a lot out there that’s outside their own little bubble,” Fox said.
Notable cities visited included Paris, Zurich, and Munich. The group saw landmarks such as the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower in France, and historical sites like the Dachau Concentration Camp and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
Fox also highlighted that people who didn’t really know one another quickly became comfortable throughout the two weeks. According to Fox, sharing experiences outside the classroom setting was definitely a “good idea”, especially in seeing students react to new and exciting places in Europe.
“It was so cool and interesting to see the different ways of life in France, Germany, and Switzerland. It really hit me that things like people watching cafes in France or the lower drinking age in Germany seem so strange to us, but are completely normal in these places. This was such an amazing trip and the school should have these more often because it is a great opportunity for students to not only visit other countries but to also learn about the cultures of those countries,” Rowan Kemps, junior, said.
