San Rafael High School is one of various schools around the US that collaborates with a company called EF (Educational Tours). Students who choose to have the opportunity to travel with the school for about a week or two. They discover and learn about different countries around the world, including Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Costa Rica, Japan, and Thailand.

The teacher in charge of providing students with this opportunity is Suzanne Truett, who teaches Spanish and French. Madame Truett has held these trips since 2016 and has trips planned all the way through 2030.

In previous trips students have truly enjoyed the places they were taken to. “The best part about the trip was trying new foods, new restaurants. Being forced to try new things,” said Leslie Obiedo, a senior who attended the Greece and Italy trip states.

Students don’t only enjoy their experiences, they also learn from the organized tours. Everyday the group of students is accompanied by a tour guide who shows and explains the history of the current place they’re visiting. Soon after the introduction, the students are allowed to explore, shop, and participate in anything there is around to see. 

In previous years, students have benefited from attending these trips. “It makes them more comfortable,” said Madame Truett, claiming that during these trips students become more comfortable and open towards everyone there. Skye Charlesworth, a senior, who attended the Costa Rica trip said, “I was intimidated at first by the upperclassmen but we all just got along.” 

There are students who plan on attending future trips and creating memories of their own. Sophomore Emely De Leon, who plans on attending the 2024 Japan trip, said, “I’ve never really gone on a long trip like that; so I wanted to have a long term experience. To see the culture and the popular tourist places. To see how like Japan is different from the US.” She explained that it is an opportunity to experience things that are normal in other countries but not in yours; such as, “To ride a bullet train, I’ve never been on a train before.” 

Budgeting for these trips hasn’t been a major obstacle for students to afford them. “No, it wasn’t that hard because it was my birthday gift,” said Obiedo. Madame Truett explained, “I try to give students at least two years to save up the money. So students can get ready to afford it.” This only makes it easier for students to be more informed and ready. 

When it comes to downfalls in these trips, the record is almost non-existent. There has only been one major event that occurred during the France trip in 2020. Given the current events of COVID 19; a group of students were found stuck in quarantine in France due to having contracted the virus. EF was not yet fully prepared for Covid at the time, making it difficult to deal with the situation.“To keep kids safe during Covid was a big challenge. There was difficulty in the France trip; A lot of kids got sick, chaperones got sick. I want to acknowledge that it was a difficult trip,” explained Madame Truett. Despite this disaster, EF trips have proven to be safe and secure for students to continuously attend. 

“Safety is really important,” said Madame Truett. “Generally speaking the company is really good with safety. I trust EF because they’ve done it in the past, with 24 hour emergency lines and people in the country to help us. We’re never by ourselves.”

Students feel safe on these trips. “Certain places were really nice and some places they told us to be careful, but I felt safe,” said Charlesworth.

“Only when the pickpockets weren’t around,” Obiedo said.