Over the midterm break my friends and I joined the SJS Italy trip, and it was an experience I will never forget!
We went behind the scenes at impressive businesses, got hands-on with creative experiences, and walked the cobblestone streets to take in all the history and art. I’m excited to share some of my experiences with you.
Behind the Scenes of Business
Each business we visited was a unique experience. At the parmesan cheese factory in Modena we learned about the cheese making process and got to try different cheeses, before they showed us their storerooms with walls of cheese that go up to the ceiling! In the rural side of Florence, we learned about the production of olive oil and wine on a tour, and saw the massive barrels they use for aging. We even went to a balsamic vinegar producer and got to try their products, which are sour but the different flavours taste really good.
My favourite business tour was at the Lamborghini Museum where we learned how the cars are manufactured. Our guide gave us a tour of the factory and we got to see the whole production from the assembly line to the test driving. I was surprised by just how much they showed us, especially given their luxury and international reputation.
Creativity in Action
As part of our Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) course, which is a course in the Diploma Programme (DP), we participate in experiences each term that fulfill one or more of these categories. On the Italy trip, Ms. Bereti organized two activities that could count toward creativity: a paper-making course and a cooking class.
When I say paper-making, I mean creating designs that decorate the paper. The instructor showed us how to lay out acrylic paint onto a special gel, the consistency of which held the form so we could transfer the design onto the paper when we dipped it into the mixture. We got to keep our paper afterward. There was a whole giftship full of products like origami, envelopes, notebooks with those designs and even purses with lining made with the designs. It was interesting to see all the ways the technique could be used.
My favourite creative experience was the cooking class! I really enjoyed learning about Italian cuisine and how to create the dishes from scratch. We made two pasta dishes and tiramisu, which is my favourite dessert. It was fascinating to see how each ingredient and technique contribute to the final product. I really enjoyed getting to do something so interactive with my peers too, and the instructors were really engaging.
I think the purpose of CAS is to help us grow as well-balanced students. Because of this course, I’ve joined the volleyball team and even started my own ASCEND club. It’s great we get to have these experiences alongside academics, and I feel like having that balance is really important. Plus it’s grown my organizational skills, which is super important for any DP student to have and maybe I can use those skills to plan my own trips, like Italy, in the future. Being able to do a CAS activity in Italy, of all places, was extra memorable.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the trip was amazing and well-balanced between the behind-the-scenes tours, the workshops, free time and guided tours. As an art student I also enjoyed going to the Accademia in Florence. This trip introduced me to a new culture, a new kind of food and new architecture that you don’t get to see in Vancouver. Plus getting to share it with my friends made it extra special. I think that’s why it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
