The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum, Venice. These were all places students went over the summer on a nine day trip to Italy.

The students were part of Raiders ‘Round the World, a travel club whose inaugural trip was to the Italian country.

“We went to Venice and rode a gondola,” English teacher and Raiders ‘Round the World sponsor KatieAnn Prescott said. “We tasted authentic, homemade pasta and got to make our own pasta. We also went to the Coliseum where the gladiators fought and died. We got to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There is an Italian rule about having three gelatos every day, but the students had way more than that.”

The trip was an opportunity for the students to travel to a foreign country, experience a different culture, visit famous sites and try new food.

“I liked seeing all of the landmarks that I have seen in photographs and on postcards,” junior Amanda Slaton said.

The trip allowed the students to get a new insight and see the way people live in a different part of the world.

“The students earned independence, because they got to go out on their own and explore the cities,” Prescott said. “They got to experience a new culture, which was great for them. They got to be around cultures they were not accustomed to.”

Students got to see many historic areas and were able to experience where famous events took place.

“We got to see Michelangelo’s house where he worked,” junior Sarah Calderon said. “Everything was decorated by him. It was really beautiful.”

During the trip, the students had the opportunity to see important landmarks that are only offered in Italy, but recognized all throughout the world.

“We got to see The Leaning Tower of Pisa,” Slaton said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to see.”

The trip opened the students’ eyes to the differences between the countries, seeing the good and the bad.

“They honk their horns constantly,”  Calderon said. “In traffic, and even just driving, they honk at the drop of a dime.”

After traveling to Italy, many of the students were inspired and want to continue to travel and see the world.

“I always thought it’d be cool to go to Italy,” Calderon said. “But before that I really didn’t want to visit anywhere else, but when I traveled there, there was so much culture. I definitely want to go again, and other places too.”

For this year’s trip, Raiders ‘Round the World will travel to Costa Rica for nine days in June 2013. English IV teacher Teddie Hytrek will sponsor the trip. Students who are interested in going on the trip should go to room 2204 for more information.

“Students will be able to learn about the culture,” Hytrek said. “They will visit a local school, plant trees in the rainforest, zip-line across the canopy, learn to surf, eat local cuisine, learn folk dances and hike through the rainforest.”