Hazel Salazar - Greece & Italy 2017; London, Paris, Lucerne, & Munich 2019Not every teenager has the opportunity to travel to different countries or get to say, "Yeah I've traveled to Greece, Italy, England, France, Switzerland, and Germany" but luckily enough, I'm one of the few teenagers that had the opportunity to do so. Traveling has definitely impacted the way I view things because I got to learn a lot about the different cultures and traditions while being out there. I also had the chance to learn a lot about history and was able to learn about types of meals and fun activities others experience. What really made the trips so wonderful was the people you get to experience it with because I've created so many great memories with people I barely knew and now I get to call them my friends. I highly doubt that you would regret this trip, I've gone on two trips and I'm definitely going on the next one because of how much I learned about myself and others. I take the opportunity to travel because no one could ever take it away from me, so I encourage everyone to take the opportunity as well.
"I learned about myself and others." |
Geovani Espinoza - London, Paris, Lucerne, & Munich 2019The traveling experience has changed me for the better because it allowed me to discover and learn new things about the different parts of the world with a group of students and chaperones who are just as excited to be traveling and learning new things as I am. I also have unforgettable experiences and memories from the trip with people who I would have probably never gotten to get the chance to know if I hadn't gone on this trip. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I highly recommend, and if I had the option to participate again, I would undoubtedly take advantage of it. The trip was just a week-long of happiness that I loved every second of - from the other students that went with us to the chaperones that made sure we were safe - it was the best time possible.
"This was a once in a lifetime experience that I highly recommend, and if I had the option to participate again, I would undoubtedly take advantage of it." |
Cheyenne Williams - Dublin, London, & Paris 2016;
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Johnny Nuñez - Dublin, London, & Paris 2016I am interested in travel because traveling makes you experience many new things and it gets you stories to tell. Another big thing that travel does is that it brings people closer to each other. On the Dublin, London, Paris trip not only did I learn a lot about those cities, but also new relationships were made with other students I hardly recognized on the trip. The learning style when traveling is better and a more fun way of learning because you are in the city walking around and visualizing what exactly happened in the past. The Dublin, London, Paris trip has inspired me go back to Europe, but to also travel to new places with other students or friends.
"Traveling is better and a more fun way of learning because you are in the city walking around and visualizing what exactly happened in the past." |
Genesis Asuega - Dublin, London, & Paris 2016Before, I'd seen traveling as going to places for relaxation and enjoyment. Traveling is about those very things, but never did I see it as a learning experience as well. While on the Dublin, London, and Paris ATLAS trip, I witnessed the historical aspects of each of these places. Yet not only did I learn the history behind these major cities, but also the beauty in them. Though it was hard trying to adapt to foreign places, I was exposed to the multiple cultures within these places. I learned the basics of new languages, tried new dishes, and was introduced to holiday traditions. This trip has inspired me to explore outside what I am familiar with. In the future, I plan on traveling more to educate myself on the beauty that I am blind to around the world.
"This trip has inspired me to explore outside what I am familiar with." |
Alexandra B'Llamas - Perú 2016I became a part of ATLAS at Da Vinci Design my sophomore year of high school, in which I was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Europe and Perú. ATLAS showed me the powerful effect of how volunteering, while immersed in a new culture, can have not only on myself, but also the community. I learned the difference between “voluntorism,” in which good intentions may be misplaced, and an actual desire to learn and help in cultural exchange. ATLAS unveiled to me the satisfaction of the reward to leave a mark all around the world through service abroad. ATLAS has solidified my passion to study abroad in hopes of expanding my education in faith and in service. I am now a college student at Loyola Marymount University where I am a part of the Alternative Breaks Program. Since high school, I have traveled to India to learn of the limitations in the country to raise awareness of the injustices (post-trip action). I am dedicated to future travel and volunteering my time to help the communities of the world to their needs.
"ATLAS has solidified my passion to study abroad..." |