Passport to perspective: How international travel redefines the high school experience

By Teagan Ardery '26 
For numerous Wethersfield High school students, the world beyond the classroom has become an ultimate “living textbook.” A large population of students have decided to take their education and economic development way beyond a classroom. The classroom expands to include the “Pura Vida” lifestyle in Costa Rica to the dramatic landscapes in Iceland and the cobblestone-street history in Italy. 

These international trips, organized by Wethersfield High School teachers, in conjunction with EF Tours, have become a cornerstone of the high school experience. However, according to social studies teacher and one of the WHS trip leaders Mr.Carr, going to all of these international stops isn’t just for the pretty pictures and great food. It’s all about the fundamental shift in how students see themselves and the world way beyond a classroom. 

We call it the “living textbook” for a reason, Carr states. “You can read all about geothermal energy in a social studies book, but it won’t hit you how real it actually is until you see the steam rise from the ground at 1am in the streets of Iceland because the sun is refusing to set.”

Carr highlights that these international trips were designed to create a better sense of maturity. “When you have to navigate through all the busy cities, surrounded by a language you don’t speak nor barely understand, or even have to manage your money in Euros, you learn way more and get a better understanding of how international people live than you would learn in a class for 50 minutes.”

“A big proponent of experimental learning is when you are surrounded by controlled chaos. You will grow more when you’re put into an uncomfortable situation,” Carr states. 

The Italy trip was a lesson in the “controlled chaos,” which Carr had mentioned was important for student growth. The students had to navigate through the cobblestone streets that looked identical to each other, and were forced to adapt to a whole new foreign country. Students problem solved without having parents available to answer questions, including how to navigate the tight roads of the Amalfi Coast and budgeting euros

Senior Chloey Roduigez attended the Italy trip during her junior year at Wethersfield High School.  Roduigez said, "navigating through the busy cities of Rome, you had to be very aware of your surroundings. Without a parent leading the way you get put into a position where you have to learn about everything about a new country all on your own.”

“Controlled chaos was surrounding us because we already knew when the flights were and which hotels had been booked, but the middle of it all is the unknown. Having to read a menu, not having a strong understanding of what they were being said, no matter how hard you try to learn that foreign language. If everything was easy, you would just be a tourist. Your brain functions better when you get put into situations to figure things out on your own.” 

Student success is often measured by test scores and end-of-semester grades. But for the students who have seen the 1 am sunset in the glaciers of Ireland and walked the streets of Rome at night, the true education is all measured by maturity. These international trips prove that students' growth happens then they are placed in uncomfortable situations.

After the plane lands, the suitcases are unpacked, a transformative shift in perspective occurs. These students come to realize that the world reaches far beyond the classroom.