by Alex Natividad, staff writer

Students looking for a learning experience outside of the classroom have the opportunity to venture internationally, where  cultural and educational benefits await them.

Students who take class trips not only get to interact with different cultures, languages and lifestyles, but they also experience a great deal of independence.

“I think international trips have value to them,” said Principal Mark Corti. “(Students) get a chance to see new cultures and it could relate to what they are learning in a classroom.”

But with the tough economy, there is debate on whether the trips will continue.

“As a school district, we’re not allowed to sponsor them due to the liability issues and expenses,” said Corti. “I think based on climate and our economy, there’s going to be less of them because less people can afford them.”

Biology and marine biology teacher Doug Mason has taken students on class trips for 30 years now.

“I’ve taken my students to several places in the past years such as the Yucatan Penisula, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Catalina Island,” said Mason.

Students have enjoyed Mason’s class trips, including the one to Costa Rica last summer.

“Costa Rica was a great experience because I not only met new people, but I also learned a lot about different cultures,” said junior Robbie Tyson. “It gives the student the opportunity to really explore what’s out there in the world.”

The Costa Rica trip allowed the students to learn firsthand about the animals they would otherwise only encounter in textbooks.

“It was surreal being there,” said junior Katie Meisel. “Being able to look up in the trees and literally see monkeys above you and birds you only see in pictures just chilling in the trees.”

Students were also given the opportunity to go ziplining and boating.

“We even visited the Osa Peninsula, went snorkeling, birdwatching, canoeing; visited beaches, rivers, and swamps,” said Robbie.

Sophomore Leonard Haller, who went to Costa Rica on Mason’s trip, learned a lot of Spanish during his visit.

“I had to use it all the time to communicate because everyone speaks Spanish there,” said Leonard.

During this trip, students learned to become less dependent on technology and learned to appreciate nature more.

“I learned how to live without technology and I liked it because you pay more attention to nature,” said Leonard. “It opens your eyes to a completely different world where everything is more simple.”

Taking this trip in a completely different environment helped students learn more and realize what other places are like.

“I think international trips give students a broader perspective of the world,” said Mason. “It’s enjoyable, students come back and say that had a blast. If they develop the connection, they’re more likely to want to protect the environment.”