Explore the World
with The Center

 Since 1987, The Center has been offering eighth graders and high school honors students the opportunity to experience a new culture and international travel firsthand. Each year, twenty-some students travel abroad with The Center’s Travel/Study program to a selected city of cultural and historical significance. The group spends a week immersed in the culture and language of that country. Challenging and exciting, the Travel/Study program is designed to further enrich the lives and minds of participants while fostering cultural awareness and appreciation. Past groups have traveled to China, Italy, England, and France. The destination this spring is England.

“I was able to see parts of the world I had only read about!” explains Jennifer Orange (SCATS 1996; London 1998). “Because I went with The Center to London, I decided to do a study abroad during college. . . . I would have never gone if not for my prior travel experience abroad.” Travel abroad is often just as much of an adventure today for students as it was for explorers centuries ago. The world opens itself up for exploration and discovery. In turn, students who participate open themselves up to new ideas that lead to fresh understandings of culture, communication, and purpose.

Experiencing the world anew often shapes the future for students who participate in the Travel/Study program. The new places and ideas that students encounter on The Center’s travels present a positive foundation for further exploration of places and cultures as research and academic interests develop later in life.

Past Experiences

Twenty-eight travelers spent a week and two weekends enjoying the sights of London and the towns beyond the big city. The first stop was at Stonehenge, and the last one was the ride on the Eye of London for a bird’s eye view of the city. In between, they sandwiched in trips to Warwick Castle, Stratford on Avon, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Windsor, and Hampton Court — places outside London.

In the city, they toured Parliament, went to St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday morning and then back for a tour, explored the Tower of London complete with viewing the crown jewels, and visited the Globe Theater — just to name a few places that were visited. Of course, two evenings at the theater were included, seeing both Wicked and Les Miserables.

The highlight for various travelers differed. Travelers came as individuals and as families. Some were first-time travelers with The Center while some were repeat travelers.

Jake Inman (Super Saturdays 2000-05; SCATS 2005; VAMPY 2006-09) said, “The trip to London with The Center was one of the greatest experiences of my life! We did so many amazing things – I couldn’t even begin to choose a favorite. I made a lot of new friends and saw tons of breathtaking sights. I’m so glad that I was able to go on this awesome trip!”

Sara Summers (Travel to Paris 2009) described the trip to London as “Fantastic! It was well thought out and planned. I saw so much in the ten days we were there. My favorite was William Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. Everything we saw from Stonehenge to the Tower of London was completely mind-blowing and fantastic! The trip was grand, the people were wonderful, and the overall experience was incredible.”

Ellie Johnston (Super Saturdays 2001) summarized her London experience in this way: “Because my sister and I were traveling without our parents, I feel like the London trip helped me become more confident in my independence and in my own abilities. This forced me to make new friends and branch out to others which enhanced my enjoyment level. Plus, Dr. Roberts showed us amazing sights all around London. I know the experience touched my life in the best way possible.”

Gabe Smith (Super Saturdays 2005; SCATS 2008; VAMPY 2009-10; Travel to Paris 2009) enjoyed many experiences but “especially Warwick Castle’s modern twist on history. There you saw not just the exhibits but you felt like you were a part of what was happening in a corny sort of way, of course.”

Fran Smith (Travel to Paris 2009) commented, “After traveling to France with The Center for Gifted Studies in 2009, I thought this year’s trip to London could never compare. I was so very wrong as this year’s trip was even better! How awesome to view St. Paul’s Cathedral and realize a church has been on that site for over 1,000 years. There was so much interesting history, and I hope to return some day to learn even more about our mother country.”

Two lovely strokes of good luck associated with the trip to London were that there was no need to put up an umbrella in this country that is known for rain and the flight home was only a few days before airports in England were shut down for the ash clouds. Good luck, indeed.

This article, by Dr. Julia Roberts is featured in the Summer 2010 issue of The Challenge.