By Josh Greene | Writer/Photographer
September 8, 2016
Last week, students of the AP Environmental Science classes received an unfamiliar brochure to an unfamiliar land: Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Students will have the opportunity to embark on a voyage to The Republic of Iceland, to witness nature in full throttle with some of the largest glaciers in the world and some of the oldest active volcanoes to date. It’s experiences like these that will allow scholars and professors alike to obtain a broader appreciation for our humble abode, to further push towards hopeful progress for a naturally conscious globe.
In Iceland, students and travelers alike can see the real-life artistic characteristics of our planet. Iceland holds some of the world’s most iconic and all-powerful waterfalls, geysers, and volcanoes, all in which are destinations on the tour, such as The Skogafoss Waterfall and the Blue Lagoon. In addition, Iceland experiences both the longest days of sunlight in the summer and the shortest days in the winter. Plus, Iceland allows visitors to witness the magnificent Northern Lights first-hand.
Besides the incredible schedule of sites, students will return home with a broader understanding of the big picture. To witness the feats of Iceland is to witness the finest characteristics of our planet, which humans certainly do not own, and is rather a temporary abode for our lifespans. Human existence is only only a miniscule fraction of the duration of human existence on Earth, and that being a much smaller fraction of the life of the natural universe and cosmic existence as we know it.
As the late scientist and philosopher Carl Sagan once emphasized, “The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.” Thus, as a result of the Iceland experience, students will discover a newfound appreciation for our humble abode, to further influence positive progression to preserve. As cliche as it sounds, the temporary disconnect from the norms of a buzzing capitalistic society allows students to actually step-back and see our globe from a cosmic perspective, a perspective you often can’t locate in your textbooks.
This trip is presented by WorldStrides, an educational travel provider for students of all ages. Almost 400,000 students and 10,000 teachers travel with WorldStrides each year. Their mission is to help provide students with a broader cultural awareness of distant lands, to widen their perspectives as the global citizens of tomorrow. When asked about their opinion on the upcoming trip, junior Nate Siebert noted, “It’s a great program that allows students to apply the skills they learn in class to the real world.”
However, students often feel trembled by the ticket price: $3400 dollars per person to attend. On the other hand, certain families eligible can apply for financial aid, and other students have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards the journey, in what will be an experience for life. WorldStrides recommends students apply to two financial assistance programs: Gift of Education and FLAG Financial Assistance.
Additionally, the worries of safety definitely raise concern for both parents and students. Fortunately, the program offers 24-hour course leaders, tour central support offices, and on site medical service. Plus, with an additional fee of $259, a purchase can be protected if need-be cancelled and refunded. Despite the overwhelming concerns, junior Jackson Hinkle claims, “I think every student should pursue this opportunity as it will be a life-changing experience.”
Many students don’t bother to even apply as haunted by the price, or simply are unaware of the reward. For many students, however, to witness the brightest points of nature outweighs any price. All in all, while Iceland provides an enjoyable time for all visitors, the experience and appreciation students obtain for our planet stands as the highest reward. Students will depart Iceland with a lifetime of memories to preserve, both mentally and digitally, which will ultimately influence the choices and impact of their lives forever. Iceland remains a small strip of land in our vast sphere of water, land, and clouds, in an even vaster observable universe where our planet is nothing more than a blue speck, yet this strip of land represents the most magnificent aspects of our natural world.
Students enrolled in AP/IB Environmental Science can enroll on this voyage through Mr. and Mrs. Kerr. There is a mandatory meeting to discuss the aspects of the trip on September 8, at 6:00 PM in room #P39. Sign-ups are due September 22, and this adventure departs June 6, and returns June 11, 2017.
Leave a Reply