As she was drifting down the Seine River on a boat tour of Paris she couldn’t take her eyes off the breathtaking view of the glimmering lights on the Eiffel Tower at night.

Over spring break junior Di Xie went on a class trip to Rome, Pompeii and Paris. Xie chose to go on the trip to immerse herself within the language she’s spent two years learning.

“I believe that it’s very important to go to [France] … because you’re surrounded by this language, you’re forced to speak it which will in turn improve [your] French,” Xie said.

Although Xie has been out of the country before, this trip provided a completely unique perspective.

“It’s a whole different experience,” Xie said. “ I’m not sure how to describe it exactly–it’s just something you have to experience that I highly encourage people to experience at least one time in your life.”

Sophomore Jane Schinkel went on the same trip with Xie and was completely captivated by the culture of the region.

“The best part was probably just the culture,” Schinkel said. “The food is great, but … I loved talking to the people, and the language was just really fun.”

Schinkel found it odd to be outside of school with teachers but over time found it reassuring.

“[The teachers] become your adoptive parents,” Schinkel said.

Over spring break junior Isabel Carttar traveled along with her church’s youth group visiting Rome and Assisi, Italy as a sort of pilgrimage.

“I thought it’d be good for one, my faith and two I love traveling abroad,” Carttar said.

Carttar and her youth group worked together to raise the necessary funds to visit the Eternal City.

“We made 500-600 [tamales] Sundays and sold them, and we made like $1,000 each time,” Carttar said.

The trip was worthwhile for Carttar who enjoyed experiencing a culture unlike that of the U.S.

“We saw the Pope,” Carttar said. “That was pretty cool. Also, seeing how people live in a place that’s not America … because it’s completely different in Italy.”

Although Carttar felt as though she didn’t suffer from any homesickness, she did note that it was strange being out of contact with her family.

“I’m a pretty independent person … but it was weird not being able to contact my family whenever I wanted to,” Carttar said.