CHS Europe Bound

By: Miranda Gregis, Contributing Writer

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Centralia High School is taking 17 students on a trip throughout Europe this summer, from June 23rd to July 1st. Miss Alexis Willingham, CHS art teacher, is accompanying the students along with Dr. Andrew Darr and Mrs. Jennifer Ludwig, CHS language teachers.

The trip is through EF Tours which is a travel agency that focuses on designing tours to help students learn more about the world. Willingham is the trip coordinator and has been on two prior trips with EF Tours. 

“When I was getting my undergrad at William Woods University, they had a program called Woods Around the World. This program was partnered with EF educational tours. I went on my first trip with EF in 2018 to Costa Rica and had a wonderful experience. With EF I also traveled to Spain in January of 2022,” Willingham said.

This summer, the students will be going to France, Germany and Switzerland. The students will have the chance to visit the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower in France. While in Germany they will  tour Munich and the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.  In Switzerland they will experience the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne.

Willingham has prepared for this trip by watching multiple webinars and had in person training in Spain. During the trip to Spain, she was able to experience what it would be like to travel with students. 

“I am very passionate about traveling and immersing myself in other cultures. I believe that you learn a lot about yourself when you step out of your comfort zone and try new things. I wanted to be able to give this opportunity to my students and see them grow outside of the classroom,” Willingham said.

Faith Decker, CHS Junior, is attending the trip this summer. This is her first trip outside of the country and she is excited to wander around and explore with her friends.

“I decided to go on the trip because I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to go somewhere like Europe other than now. I want to experience a new culture and broaden my perspective of the world,” Decker said.

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