Global travel allow students to see the world and broaden their perspectives. Last summer, Titans visited Peru, Costa Rica, France and a European Quartet: The Netherlands, Belgium, France and England. Whether the global trip was to further understanding of a language, gain experience as a researcher, or just to have fun, those who embarked learned more about the world and made new connections.
In summer 2026, Spanish teacher Ms. Dinah Claus will lead a trip to northern Spain. She sponsored previous trips and said the experience always starts with connecting fellow travelers.
“Every group has its own kind of dynamic, and it’s really neat because it starts in the Omaha airport,” Claus said. “We meet, we introduce everybody, and it’s really kind of a special thing on these trips. You see these really unique connections, right away,” Claus said.
Senior Cooper Greer, who attended the 2024 Europe Quartet, said connecting with others was essential to his experience, and he encouraged future travelers to do the same.
“They should take the opportunity to better get to know their friends and peers who come along with them,” Greer said. “Memories like these last a lifetime, and since they are shared memories they will bring them closer together.”
With newfound friendships, students navigate their way through foreign countries. Dr. Mike Musil, a regular organizer of yearly European trips, said one of his favorite aspects of the trips was seeing students use new problem-solving skills.
“I love seeing kids maneuver their way around in places that they’re unfamiliar with,” Musil said.
He compared the importance of global travel to Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.”
“Plato is talking about how our lives are really small and we tend to view life within a really small circle,” Musil said. “We don’t forget that there are other people out there, but I don’t think we stop and think about what it’s like out there, outside of our circle.”
Musil said that encouraging students to use their own problem-solving skills during trips ultimately broadened their perspectives.
“I feel like that’s probably one of the most important parts, getting us out of our caves and letting us experience something else, somewhere else,” Musil said.
Junior Olivia Lancaster, who attended the 2024 France trip, said she believed global travel was essential to understanding the world.
“I know a lot of people are like: ‘Why would you go there? Just go to a different state’ – but you learn so much in different places, and everywhere has different pieces of history,” she said.
For students studying Spanish or French, global travel offers an opportunity to enhance language skills in real-world settings.
“I think it just brings the language and the culture alive when they get to see it firsthand and have that experience,” Claus said.
French teacher Ms. Stacey Mielke, who has led trips to France in alternating years, said a background in the language helps with navigating the country.
“My students study French so that they come there with a basis and understanding of the culture itself, which really helps a lot,” Mielke said. “They don’t have to speak perfect French, just being able to read some things and understand. They realize that they know more, or sometimes less, than they thought they did.”
Mielke said she finds joy in watching her students explore a new country.
“I love seeing the experience through my students’ eyes. Just going to the grocery store is different,” Mielke said.
Junior Audrey Benson, who attended the 2024 Costa Rica trip, said even though it could be exhausting having to adjust to different timezones, those minor discomforts shouldn’t stand in the way of making the most of travel.
“Enjoy it while you’re in the moment and take all the opportunities you can get, even if you may not be feeling your best that day,” Benson said. “Just go for it and you won’t regret it in the end – but you’ll regret it if you don’t do it.”
For those unable to travel in high school, senior Phoebe Pinkerton, who attended the European Quartet, said it’s a goal worth working toward.
“I think it’s just a really good experience for everyone to do at least once in their life,” Pinkerton said, “to experience a different culture and just go somewhere new.”
Click here to learn about and sign up for upcoming trips.
