Last month’s spring break provided a window of free time that Huntington High School students took advantage of in ways to suit to their own wants and needs. Some slept a little bit later in the morning each day while others caught up on assignments. Many took family vacations while others hung out around town. A group of 35 teenagers traveled together to Peru and had the time of their lives.
The trip to South America was a private journey, funded by the students and their families and coordinated by a travel company. It wasn’t sanctioned by Huntington UFSD.
“Peru 2019 was a unique experience,” said Camille Tedeschi, a longtime high school social studies teacher who served as the trip leader. Four other adults served as chaperones and helped students maximize the travel experience.
“We visited Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Maras, Moray, Puno and Lake Titicaca,” Ms. Tedeschi said. “This tour did not disappoint. The students were fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed their time in Peru learning and understanding a new culture and history. Along the way the students were inquisitive and asked impressive questions of the guides. In addition, many of them used their Spanish language to interact with the locals and also to shop/bargain at the markets.”
A large group of seniors was among the traveling party. “So it was a great experience for them to bond before graduation,” Ms. Tedeschi said. “We also had many previous travelers on this tour.”
Ms. Tedeschi has traveled all over the world. “I value travel and its experiences and this tour exemplified what I see as important in development from travel,” she said. “These students learned responsibility and many of them established more confidence in themselves. A famous traveler, Ibn Battuta says that travel leaves you speechless and turns you into a storyteller. I believe many of these students have a lot to share as a result of this opportunity to travel to Peru.”
