If you’re looking for a fresh way to spend the first week of summer break, then look no further: For the first time ever at Harriton, students will take a 12-day trip, conducted by EF Tours, that immerses students in the culture and history of Spain and Portugal from June 19 to June 26 (though the first and last days are travel days).

“History in a book is one thing, but history when it’s alive and you are experiencing it in a country, it is like magic to students, it comes alive. That’s my goal for this trip,” says Mr. Warren, a ninth-grade African and Asian Studies teacher and the tour’s leader. We had a chance to interview him and learn more about this trip of a lifetime.

The Harriton Banner: Have you ever done a trip like this at Harriton?

Mr. Warren: No, this is the first year. I have done trips with students in the past at other schools.

Where have you been in the past with other students?

I’ve been to Japan, France, Germany, and Italy with students, to name a few!

What are major cities/sites that you will be visiting?

Well, we will be visiting Lisbon [the capital of Portugal] and Evora in Portugal, and then in Spain we’ll travel to Seville, Barcelona and Valencia… In Barcelona they have some of the finest artwork in the world. It is right across the Mediterranean, it is warm, breezy, lots of fresh food and seafood. We will also be visiting amazing beaches.

Is this trip through LMSD?

No, actually. Since the trip takes place outside of the school year, it is not officially sponsored by LMSD. I wanted to, however, get Mr. Eveslage’s blessing, and he gave the approval. I wanted to make sure administrators could see how much value this trip has as well as parents and students.

Have you yourself ever been to Spain or Portugal?

Believe or not, I haven’t! It’s one of the reasons I proposed this particular trip, maybe for selfish reasons. [He laughs.] First off, we have a Western Civilization [course] at Harriton, so it makes sense to offer a [trip] that focuses on two countries that are crucial to understanding world history and European history. Second of all, I haven’t been there. I like going to places that I have never been before.

What makes a trip with EF Tours so great?

EF Tours is one of the largest organizations in the world. I know what to expect from them, and they provide a really excellent level of service.  Everything is planned out for you. You have a guided tour. You have a translator with you at all times, as well as someone who organizes all the bus rides, and wonderful hotel stays, all of the walking tours, and museum tickets – all of your tickets are paid for ahead so you don’t have to wait in line. That really maximizes the things you can do.

How many spots are left?

Well, we have 10 people signed up already, and we are looking for around 12-16 students. It would be great to have all students going signed up by March 1st.

Any other comments?

I think that this trip is very beneficial to students because as well as being educational, it also takes a lot of kids out of their comfort zone. They’re traveling across the Atlantic! It’s also a lot of fun, and even if you don’t know anyone before you go, we have meetings before we leave. You have the opportunity to meet new people. There is something about going on these trips where we become a family, and we bond, and you have this lifelong, shared experience with this group of people that you can’t replicate in any other way.

Interested? Sign up ASAP (or at least by March 1^st). See http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1484978WX for details on the specifics on the Spain/Portugal tour. Or you can talk to Mr. Warren himself in room 111 for more information and answers to any questions.

The next group meeting to talk about the trip is during RAM on Thursday, January 30. All students who are interested can sign up under Social Studies, European Explorers Club, room 211, for snacks and information.

If you miss out on this journey, Mr. Warren says that he would really like to plan another trip for next year, a service trip to Africa or Asia! We don’t know about you, but we are definitely signing up next year.