Field Trips

Exploring the medieval city of Rhodes was like stepping straight into a fantasy novel—minus the dragons, sadly 🐉😢. One of the most mind-blowing parts? The fact that the entire city still sits on its original foundation. Like… how?! It’s survived centuries and still stands strong—basically the architectural version of a Greek grandma. Walking along the ancient castle walls (or fortress walls—I won’t pretend I fully know the difference 👀), I got treated to breathtaking views that made me feel like a knight on lookout duty, minus the sword and heavy armor. Seriously, it was that cool. But my fave part? The night market 💡🌙. The place totally came alive after dark—full of lights, music, and the smell of delicious food floating through the air. It had this cozy, magical vibe that made me wanna stay forever (or at least until I ran out of spending money).

Akrotiri was definitely one of the more interesting ruins I’ve seen—less towering temples, more “archeological jigsaw puzzle.” 🧱🕵️‍♂️ Even though the buildings were mostly rubble, you could still clearly tell there used to be something big going on here. What really stood out was how advanced the Minoans were for their time. Even with everything in pieces, you could still see signs of an early sewage system and smart city planning. For something from the Bronze Age, that’s seriously impressive (like… 1600s BCE and they already had plumbing? Okay ancient engineers 👏). Most of the pottery and structure outlines were still surprisingly intact, especially considering they’ve been buried under volcanic ash for a few thousand years. It gave off that eerie “frozen in time” feeling—like the volcano hit pause on their entire civilization.

Visiting King Minos’ Palace—a.k.a. the legendary Labyrinth—was like walking through the pages of a Greek myth. You half expect the Minotaur to pop out and say, “sup” 🐂😳. One of the coolest things? The palace grounds were covered in signs and info showing exactly where the myths supposedly happened. Even if you’d never cracked open a book on Greek mythology, you’d still feel like you were in the middle of some epic, ancient story. It was immersive in the best way—like Disney World for mythology nerds 🤓🏛️. Some parts of the site were closed off (rip to the hidden chambers we’ll never see 💔), which was a bit of a bummer. But what was open still made it feel like we were standing in the middle of history—and legend.

Sicily was an amazing place to visit, filled with incredible sights and delicious food! Here’s a little recap of what I loved, what I learned, and what I wish I could have seen more of. One of the highlights of my trip was definitely Mt. Etna, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It was so fascinating to see. I also enjoyed tasting local treats like cannoli, which are these yummy pastry shells filled with sweet cream. **Gelato** was another favourite of mine; it was creamy and so refreshing, especially after exploring! And let’s not forget about the pizza—it was simply the best I’ve ever had. I also loved visiting the Alcantara Gorge Botanic and Geological Park, where I got to see beautiful plants and unique rock formations. What I Learned: While I was there, I learned some really cool facts about Mt Etna. I discovered that the lava flows from the volcano can actually create craters and change the surroundings, which is super interesting. I found out about the underground tunnels made by these lava flows as they cool down, creating a unique landscape underneath the surface. Also, I learned that the mountain water is freezing cold—even in hot weather! What I Wish I Saw More Of: One thing I really wish we could have done was visit the **main crater** of Mt Etna. I would have loved to see it up close and maybe even learn more about the volcano’s activity. Overall, this trip was filled with adventure, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences. Sicily is truly a special place, and I can’t wait to share all my stories!

In October we went on an amazing trip to Morocco, and I had so much fun! I want to share what I liked, what I learned, and what I wish I could have done more of. One of the coolest things we did was go on a quad biking tour in the desert. It was super exciting to ride over the sand! I also loved trying different types of food, which were really yummy. We took a tour around Marrakesh, and that was a great way to see the city and learn about its culture. It was even more special because my friends from the UK joined us. We stayed in big places that were really nice and comfortable.", During the trip, I learned a lot about Morocco. I found out about traditional crafts like pottery and weaving, which are really important there. I also learned that tea culture is a big deal in Morocco; people really enjoy sharing tea with their friends and family. Did you know Morocco has the second oldest ruling dynasty in the world? That’s pretty cool! I also learned that Morocco is famous for its argan oil, which is used in beauty products and cooking. Even though the quad biking was fun, I wish I could have ridden my own quad bike. I found out I was too young to do that, so hopefully, I can try it when I'm older! Overall, my trip to Morocco was full of adventure, learning, and great memories with my friends. I can’t wait to visit again and see even more of this amazing country!

We started World ARC from St. Lucia, an island in the Caribbean, and I had so much fun while we were there! There were so many things to do and learn. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting a chocolate plantation. I learned about how chocolate is made from cacao, which grows on trees. It was so cool to think that chocolate actually grows on trees! I even got to make my own chocolate, which was super fun and a bit messy, but totally worth it. Aside from chocolate, I loved exploring the town and trying new foods. St. Lucia has a rich culture, and the flavors were exciting and different from what I usually eat. Another amazing adventure was zip lining through the trees. It felt like I was flying, and the views were breathtaking! This trip taught me a lot about the world around me. For example, I learned that making chocolate takes a really long time, especially to get the first ingredient ready. I also discovered that the Caribbean is home to a lot of wildlife, which made every part of the trip feel like a new adventure. Even though I had a fantastic time, I wish we could have explored further into the islands. We mostly stayed near the coastline and on our boat, and I feel like there was so much more to see! I wanted to discover hidden beaches and maybe hike through the jungles to find more wildlife. Overall, my trip to St. Lucia was unforgettable. I made great memories, learned so much, and can't wait to visit again someday! The island is truly a beautiful place with so much to offer.

The visit to the Victoria Coffee Plantation in Colombia was one of the most memorable stops of the trip. The plantation itself was set against a stunning backdrop of green hills and vibrant rainforest — the kind of place that looks like it belongs on a postcard (or a coffee bag, honestly). The surrounding area was just as beautiful, with nature and agriculture blending together in a really peaceful way. What made it especially cool was seeing exactly how coffee is made, from bean to brew. We got a firsthand look at the production process, and even got to try out some of the old-fashioned machinery ourselves. At one point, we were handed actual coffee beans to taste — definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of snack! Personally, I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with coffee (I mean, why does it taste like burnt toast and magic?), but the coffee at the plantation really surprised me. Freshly made, right where it was grown — it just hit different. It was a great way to learn not only about coffee itself, but also about the culture and work that goes into every cup we take for granted.

Visiting the children’s charity in Colombia was an eye-opening and meaningful experience. It gave me the chance to meet young people who not only live on the other side of the world, but also face a very different set of challenges. Many of the children rely on the charity to access higher education — something that can be taken for granted in other countries, but in Colombia, is still a major hurdle for many families. What stood out to me most were the paintings on the walls, which reflected Colombia’s recent history. Some pieces showed scenes that referenced the country’s long internal conflict — a struggle that lasted for decades between the government, left-wing guerrilla groups like the FARC, right-wing paramilitaries, and powerful drug cartels. Though it wasn’t a foreign invasion, this internal war deeply affected communities across Colombia and shaped the lives of millions of families, including many of the children at the charity. Overall, the visit was powerful. It reminded me how important it is to support organizations that help bridge the gap between hardship and opportunity — especially for the next generation. 🌍