By Mary Grace O’Shea ’17 | Staff Writer

Next mid-winter break, South teachers plan to bring a group of interested students on an international trip to China.

Taking place from February 16-24, the students will receive an in-depth cultural experience while deepening their education outside of the typical classroom, said Kendra Caralis, World History teacher and designated group leader. 

“This is mainly a social studies aimed trip, so we are looking at sightseeing, being a tourist while we are there and taking in a new culture,” Caralis said. “The trip is nine days, and two of the days are travel days. It takes about a 15-hour flight to get there.” 

All South students that are interested in getting involved do not need any prior experience with the Chinese language, Caralis said. The group will be participating in multiple cultural activities while there.

“We are flying into Beijing, and will be experiencing popular attractions such as the Great Wall of China, a Rickshaw Tour of the Hutong Area and a Kung Fu Show,” Caralis said. “We also plan on seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors, having a Peking Duck Dinner and going to an acrobatic show in Shanghai, which I think will be a lot of fun.”

All students willing to absorb a new culture and wanting to be introduced to a different way of living are welcomed to participate, Caralis said.

“Anybody at Grosse Pointe South is invited because we are looking to get a big group,” Caralis said.

Students wanting to participate are mostly anticipating being able to tour the large cities, while gaining a cultural and educational experience, Samantha Cannon ‘19 said.

“If I get go to, I would mainly be excited to learn about my culture and where I came from,” Cannon said. “I want to travel the world, so this would be a good experience.”

Being able to escape the everyday classroom setting and applying what students learn in history classes is also an attractive factor, Cannon said.

“It is a first-hand experience, and it is definitely not something you can gain while sitting in a classroom,” Cannon said. “You actually get to meet people from there, and know the culture front to back.”

Receiving a better understanding of China’s history and present-day lifestyle will bring back interesting stories, Trinity Diehle ‘19 said.

“I want to have an understanding of a completely different culture and have something to tell my family and friends,” Diehle said.

The trip is intended to bring students an educational experience, but is also meant to be enjoyable and spark an interest to continue world traveling, Caralis said. 

“I hope the students will want to continue to travel,” Caralis said. “I hope the love of travel grows for these students because I think it is one of the most important tasks in life to do.”

There will be a parent meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 9 in Mr. Pascoe’s room for all interested, Caralis said. The meeting is also open to all students that were not able to attend the first informational meeting. They will be allowing students to join the trip up until the fall of next school year.