THE WORLD IS OUR CLASSROOM...

Each fall and spring our secondary students (middle and high school) set off on intersession trips. These breaks from the traditional academic rigors of the classroom provide students with opportunities to build confidence, cultural sensitivity, belonging through shared experiences, and an appreciation for home. For our OFMHS Juniors, the spring intersession trip also includes language immersion as they travel outside of the country! Due to Covid restrictions in 2021 that prevented travel, the senior class accompanied Wesley last spring on the overseas trip to Dublin, Ireland. “I’ve been out of the country before, but this was the first time purely for tourism.” Wesley shared. He was appreciative that the two seniors were able to join him as it would not have been the same experience had he been alone with the teachers. While the topography and landscape were beautiful and lush, the historical exposure during the trip is what Wesley remembers the most. “It was really interesting to see and learn about the history of the great potato famine and how that impacted the United States; really the world. There were many Irish immigrants living in the US at that time and Ireland’s immigration museum really showed me how much the world is interconnected.” He said. Getting out into the world provides learning experiences that could never be taught from a book or traditional classroom. Intersession trips, whether exploring nature out of state, or another culture out of the country, provide these young adults with enrichment opportunities, in a safe and nurturing environment, that will have long lasting effects.