For many across the nation, Spring Break is viewed as the perfect time to travel. It’s no different for students at Maggie Walker either. The factors of no school, no stress, and thanks to Maggie Walker’s homework policy, no homework make Spring Break the best time to visit family, go on new adventures, or explore new corners of the world. This past Spring Break was an example of just that: in the first week of April, many students took the opportunity to visit the countries they have been studying all year.

Mr. Brown’s AP Comparative Government and Politics class visited Ireland over break. The focus of the trip was to get a better understanding of the process of devolution through learning about the Irish Independence Movement, government, and society. In Dublin, students visited famous attractions like Temple Bar, St. Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals, and Dublin Castle. The group also got a chance to visit the Irish President’s home and the House of Oireachtas, which is Ireland’s legislative body, and got to interview the Clerk of the Irish Seanad. In addition to more structured activities, students also got to spend free time in groups exploring the city, shopping, eating at local restaurants, and visiting other memorable attractions. Students also traveled on a day trip to Western Ireland, visiting scenic viewpoints like the Cliffs of Moher, of which student Kate Lindley (‘24) remarked, “all of Ireland was beautiful, but that area was particularly magnificent.” The group also visited Belfast, in Northern Ireland, where through tours of historical reminders of the Troubles, like the Peace Walls and Crumlin Road Gaol, students developed an understanding of Irish political and religious tensions with the United Kingdom. When asked about how much she would recommend the class and trip, Lindley responded “1000%; the trip was so fun and the group was really great. It was a fantastic experience to see a place that isn’t America.” 

Across the Irish Sea, Ms. Sheppard’s “Evolution of London” Seminar visited the United Kingdom. The Seminar’s goal abroad was, according to student Sydney Brewer (‘24), to “explore our chosen topics and their roles in modern-day London,” which for Brewer involved studying the evolution of literature in London. Seminar students were able to investigate their chosen topics through visiting important landmarks, and Brewer was able to study literature through touring the British Museum, which housed an original copy of a novel by Oscar Wilde, and visiting the Globe, where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. In addition to specific research, students were able to sightsee London through visiting places like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. They also explored London’s regional culture through dining at local restaurants and walking along London’s streets. Students also visited Edinburgh, Scotland, on a day trip via train, where Brewer recalls her favorite memory: entering a small cafe in rainy Edinburgh to “recover from the weather over a few cups of tea in a secluded booth decorated in a vintage style.” She also remarked, “The trip gave me the confidence in my ability to use public transportation and travel internationally.” Overall, Brewer recommends the trip and Seminar as a whole for those wanting to learn more about English traditions and culture

Meanwhile, Ms. Cross’s “Gender and Culture in the Middle East and North Africa” Seminar traveled to Morocco. While the focus of the Seminar is the influence that gender has on society and politics within various Middle Eastern countries, the Seminar also more generally examines the diverse cultures that make up the Middle East and North Africa. On their trip to Morocco, the MENA Seminar group had the opportunity to ride camels, explore the desert, and visit popular tourist spots. Shabaz Wali (‘24) mentioned that the group “visited restaurants with dancing circles and magic shows, and even had a boat dinner during [their] last night there.” Natalie Shannon (‘24) added that her favorite part of the trip was “visiting the deserts.” Concerning the educational aspect, the trip was also a chance for the students to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, learn new languages, and participate in unfamiliar traditions. When asked about the cultural aspect of the trip, Shannon said, “It was really nice to be in a group where everyone was experiencing a new culture for the first time.” For example, over the course of the trip, Ms. Cross taught the group beginner-level Darija, which is an Arabic dialect spoken in Morocco. Using Darija, the students were even able to converse with merchants they encountered. According to Wali, one of the phrases they learned was “y’allah!” which translates to “let’s go!” Despite the long hours the students spent stuck together on their little bus, even the most tiring travel days were made tolerable thanks to the camaraderie that sprung from the group. As Wali put it, “Being able to talk to everyone made all of the twists and turns on the local Moroccan roads bearable.” Even through those curvy roads, the exciting experiences and bonding moments made the trip truly worthwhile.