For many years Boothbay High School has believed that students should be exposed to a variety of cultures. What better a way to do that than to travel? In the past there were trips to Germany and France. As of last year (1997) a trip to England became part of our destinations. A plan to go to Italy in 1999 is in effect now.
And what, you might ask, does this do for our students? There is more than one answer to that question. In most cases students are being exposed to a new language. In all cases they are exposed to a new culture. In one case students are even exposed to new families! This is an eye-opening experience that should be a requirement for all students, if it weren't for the cost. That's another thing that is so great about student trips. It costs about half as much to go overseas with the school as it would normally.
In the high school there is a program called the German/American Partnership Program (GAPP). The school does this every two years. A student is required to be in level 3 of the German classes. The student fills out a paper and then the German teacher, Mrs. Baade, decides who will be matched up with the German participants. This process begins in the spring of the year before the trip is scheduled. In the fall of that year the German students come to live at the homes of their American partners for 17 days. They also go to New York and Boston.
Then in April the American students go to Germany for three weeks. They first arrive in Berlin and stay for a week. They visit the Holocaust Museum and others. They also go to the disco and the movies. Next they travel to Bad Harzburg and live with their partners for the remaining time.
Through this program students not only learn about another culture, but also another way of life. In the past many life long relationships have been founded on this trip. Students also adopt a new family.
For many years there was another tradition at Boothbay . Every two years French students, who had a level two education in the language, went with Mr. Landry to Paris in June. The trip lasted for ten days in the city.
Students were taken to all the sites of the city, including Versailles, Monet's house (which is now a museum, located outside of the city), the Eiffel Tower, and L'Ouvre. Students were also allowed a large quanity of free time to experience first hand the food, language, and people of France.
The final trip to Paris was in the summer of 1996. Mr. Landry resigned as the French teacher, taking position at BRHS as the computer coordinator. Regretfully, although it is not etched in stone, BRHS may have seen the Paris trips come to an end.
Last year two of the BHS teachers, Mr.Saunders (who has moved on to another school) and Mr. Williamson, felt that the school should offer a trip to Europe that did not have to meet language requirements. They devised a trip to London. The trip was 10 days filled with tons of group activities. The trip consisted of two plays, a trip to the British Museum, a walking tour of the city, and various other activities. There was also an optional trip to Stone Henge and Bath.
This year students are going in April. The school is not sure if this will be an annual trip or not. Last year, the plane schedule was rerouted and Virgin Atlantic gave each participant a free round trip voucher which was vaild for 18 months. Because of this a trip was planned for this year . Who knows what the future will hold.
