All Roads Lead to Rome
Since 2014, OHS has offered students the opportunity to truly take advantage of the global classroom through summer travel programs. From Culture and Community Service in Panama to Science Research in the Galapagos Islands, OHS student travel has always been an enriching experience.
This June, OHSers embarked on an exciting 10-day journey to Rome. The group stayed at a casa per ferie, a hotel intended for pilgrims, near the Vatican. After spending a few days in Rome touring places such as the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and the historic Jewish Ghetto, they took a day trip to Florence to see the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery. Next, the group travelled to the Bay of Naples, where they climbed Mount Vesuvius and dined on her slopes. They then toured the ruins of Pompeii and visited the Naples Museum as well as the seaside sanctuary of Apollo at Cumae. Finally—all roads do lead to Rome!—the group ended their exciting trip back where they started, in Rome.
Every tourist can appreciate the moments they spend with monuments: clambering to the top of Mount Vesuvius, being entranced by the statues at the Vatican Museum. OHS students can, in addition, appreciate how their classes come to life during their travels. Xenya Currie (‘20) describes being struck by the original Laocoön and His Sons statue in the Vatican Museum, particularly because she had translated the passage describing that very scene in Vergil’s Aeneid the previous year. Though these bigger revelations were inspiring, many students remembered the little moments most fondly. Xenya recalls “walking the last few blocks back to our hotel after getting off of the bus, giggling amongst ourselves in the evening air; the excitement and fulfillment that arises every time you successfully order lunch in Italian; that little inhale you unconsciously make as you enter each and every basilica, awed by just how beautiful they all are.”
Magister Lanier, one of the instructor chaperones on the trip, shared that one part of the trip that he found particularly meaningful was the visit to the Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano. In this one spot, tourists can see the magnificent 11th-century basilica, then descend into the ruins of the 4th century Christian church below it, and descend even further into even older Roman ruins. Not only is the basilica an architectural and historical artifact, Magister Lanier notes that the building is “a great centerpiece for discussion about how physical space changes over time as different societies, different religions, and different perspectives dwell upon and alter the urban landscape, one layer upon another.”
These responses reveal some of the educational benefits of school trips, beyond the privilege of exploring the world. What students took away from wandering Pompeii was the experience of being present in history; what they took away from getting lost was an opportunity to see more of each city. “Being in Rome made me realize just how real the ancient world is. It’s not dead, its influence is not gone. The things we translate in Latin classes aren’t only beautiful works of literature, but also real depictions and descriptions of life. Pieces of ancient pottery in museums aren’t only cool to look at, but also tools that living people once used,” Xenya reflects, “Rome isn’t just an idea, but a real place—a living city, both in the ancient world and now.”
OHS student travel also facilitates social emotional learning. Traveling with peers and instructors requires more independence than traveling with family, as students had a lot of freedom in deciding how to spend time in each new space. When occasional mishaps occur, like getting lost on a day trip, students learn how to find solutions calmly and with a positive mindset. Considering all of these benefits, OHS should continue to expand its student travel offerings, and students should consider taking advantage of these opportunities to bond with their peers and learn more about the world we live in.
Where to next? Perhaps we can look towards veteran student travellers who are familiar with OHS student travel programs. I’m sure many students would be on board with Xenya’s recommendation: “I would love to see an OHS trip to Greece, though perhaps I’m biased. Greece, like Italy, has such a rich and beautiful history, rooted in the classical world while still maintaining a foot in our modern one.”
Do you have an idea of where OHS should travel next? Be sure to submit a Letter to the Community with your suggestions!