Unforgettable Journeys: Highlighting Unique End-of-Year Trip Destinations

At the end of the year, all Basis Independent Manhattan and Brooklyn students, middle and high school alike, will have the chance to visit destinations across the globe. The trips will consist of sightseeing, educational events, and student free time. The trips are being run by two tourist organizations; EF Tours and WorldStrides. Teachers will accompany students on the trip, having a ratio of six students for every one teacher. 

Middle school students (Grades 6-8) have three options: Paris and Barcelona, China and Taiwan, or the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. Of the three choices, China And Taiwan would have the longest travel time, about sixteen hours in flight. Travel to the Galapagos Islands will also take a while, with a flight time of around twelve hours. Since flights to France and Spain are only around seven hours, Paris and Barcelona is the most time efficient trip. It is also the shortest trip of the options, being only seven days, from June 14th to June 21st. The other two trips are nine days, lasting from June 13th to June 22nd.  

In China and Taiwan, most attractions are cultural experiences, such as the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. These attractions show the amazing culture that had been developed over thousands of years. Students could see the glorious literature, art, music, and theater on display. Paris and Barcelona might involve touring Montmartre or seeing the Basilica de la Sagra Familia, which both showcase great architectural skill and customs from these two European countries. 

 If exploring foreign cultures is not your style, the Galapagos Islands might be more your style. In the Galapagos, you will see exotic animals, such as the Galapagos penguins and Darwin’s finches. Animals like these helped the famous Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution.

High school students (Grades 9-12) have two options, Japan or  Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway). The trip to Japan takes around fourteen hours from New York City, while flights to Scandinavia are about eight hours. Both high school trips are from June 13th to June 22nd

  In Japan, tourist spots include the Himeji Castle, or the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Japan is a fantastic  option for many people, as it’s a mix of the city center and natural areas. Japan is a place full of modern places, and old traditions that stem from a civilization that lasted for thousands of years. The second option, Scandinavia, is also a mix, though many tourist attractions are outdoors, such as the Lofoten Islands, but city areas include the Tivoli Garden or The Viking Ship Museum, where you can learn about the trials of the Vikings, who were some of the first Europeans to set foot on the Americas, and had a legacy that lasted for thousands of years.

Students aspiring to travel to Paris and Barcelona, the Galapagos Islands, or Japan, a virtual parent meeting was held on October 8th, outlining the details of the trip. For students considering China or Scandinavia, information can be found on Parent Square. 

But no matter where you choose to go, you will be exposed to amazing sights.