Traversing across Europe in 10 days

DBHS students and teachers go sightseeing in Switzerland, France and Italy during break, learning history along the way.

DBHS+juniors+%28from+left+to+right%29+Debbie+Yim%2C+Lauren+Chen%2C+Valerie+Hui%2C+Emily+Hong+and+Eryn+Lau+visited+Switzerland+as+part+of+their+travels+through+Europe.

Photo courtesy of Valerie Hui

DBHS juniors (from left to right) Debbie Yim, Lauren Chen, Valerie Hui, Emily Hong and Eryn Lau visited Switzerland as part of their travels through Europe.

45 Diamond Bar High School students explored new cultures during a trip to Europe this spring break.

The excursion, which took place from April 12-22, was open to all interested Brahmas. History teacher Emily Clark and math teacher Latita Thomas organized the overseas trip and  accompanied the students along with a few other chaperones.

“After the informational meeting that was held, I was very interested in going on the trip,” junior Valerie Hui said. “I was intrigued with all the new things that they said we would get to experience.”

The itinerary included stops in Italy, Switzerland and France.

Within Italy, the students paid a visit to Vatican City as well.

“It’s really exciting that we got to see these new places and experience the different culture[s],” junior Lauren Chen said.

The students visited the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, went on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal in Venice and visited cities like Nice, embracing the French culture.

The group also visited the small country of Monaco bounded by France.

Although the students said they had lots of fun on their trip, it was also an educational experience because of the large amounts of history they learned from the different sights that they saw, and their experience learning to adapt other cultures’ lifestyles.

“Something that I had to adjust to while in these countries was paying one euro everytime I used a public restroom, which I wasn’t expecting,” said Hui.

Being there in the moment and immersing themselves in the culture was the type of experience that the attendees looked forward to having.

“One of the main reasons why I was so interested in going on this trip was because of all of the things that I would be able to witness in the time that I was there,” junior Eryn Lau said. “If I were to go on a trip with just my family, I don’t know if I would have been able to see all of these things.”

Several students who traveled to Europe said they were also excited about going because they could not only explore new cultures, but also enjoy it with classmates and friends.

“Being able to travel with my friends at this age was such a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget,” Hui said.