Exploring Beyond 2307 S Lindbergh Blvd
Lucy Vahl, Senior Staff Writer
As March makes its arrival, spring excitement follows from the SJA students and the SJA staff and faculty. SJA students glance away from the Wordle hints on their screen provided by Mr. Faulhaber, and survey the beautiful scenery spring has brought onto campus. Within an instant, students jump onto Pinterest to check out all the latest trends for cover-ups, swimsuits, maxi dresses, and St. Patrick’s Day merch because it’s the time everyone has been waiting for. It is spring break!
As a collective whole, the SJA population adores everything travel. Whether it’s daydreaming about spring break in Rosemary, gasping at all the travel options Mrs. Richardson shares in CT, or a long weekend getaway being the GOG you share in Mrs. Everitt’s class. Everybody enjoys traveling, but few stop to reflect on why traveling matters.
Here at SJA, students learn countless ways of life from history classes taught at the academy or religion classes. This is a fabulous start to learning about different cultures by developing respect and empathy for them. However, the next step is to travel. Taking trips, whether they are exchange trips across the world to Poland or service trips to the border, submerges one into extraordinary environments where one can experience the rich traditions and lifestyles firsthand.
Junior Grace Laffey shares her remarkable experience in Poland.
“Going to Poland or any exchange trip shows you the more unknown and simple parts of culture in peoples day to day lives. You feel like you are actually a part of their culture, seeing the raw moments of people’s cultures and families,” said Grace.
Students like Grace Laffey are supplied with countless opportunities through SJA for exchange programs and school trips globally. An upcoming and favorite SJA trip is Greece and Italy. This trip is not only lively but also teaches lifelong skills, Senior Nora Poling expresses.
“When I went to Greece and Italy in 2024, throughout the St. Joe program, it was my first trip without my parents. I flew out there with only teachers and friends throughout the long flights. I met new people and learned how to do things by myself without having my parents by my side,” Nora said.
Poling’s experience displays another reason traveling matters. Traveling enhances independence at all ages by forcing people out of their comfort zones. It also allows individuals to make more decisions on their own. So, for the girls attending the upcoming Greece and Italy trip this summer, get excited!
And yes, traveling also matters because it is a time to soak in the sun, sit back and relax, and most importantly, have fun! Memories are made in all the ways you travel, whether it’s an exchange trip, a school trip, a train ride, a spring break trip, or a trip with family. Remember, traveling is most enjoyable when one lives in the moment, so look around at all the scenery around, jump in that ocean, try that new food, and laugh with the people around you.
Traveling teachers’ significant life skills guide you to becoming a well-rounded person and create lasting memories. Therefore, get to exploring!
