If you are considering whether or not to participate in the optional excursions Global Summers Academy has to offer then have no fear, I’m here to help! Let’s go through some info on the excursions and my personal experiences with them to explain why you should sign up for excursions!
To begin with, let me refresh you on the details of what the excursions are. Global Summers Academy summer travel programs include a list of optional excursions you can sign up for. For a minor extra fee (how much depends on each excursion), you get to go to additional locations not covered by the main program during days off from the educational portion. Please note that while some excursions come with a lunch, others do not, and you will have to purchase your own lunch. Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what my experience was and why you should sign up too!
What excursions are available changes based on what program you are signed up for, and the excursion options also change from year to year. Last summer I was on a European program. I participated in the excursions to Pompeii, the Krka Waterfalls, Sailing in Greece, and Mykonos. I enjoyed all of the excursions immensely.
The Pompeii day trip allowed us to see a fascinating piece of history. To give you an idea of how interesting it was, I have more than 70 photos that I took that day. As a self-professed history nerd, I was a big fan, but even if I wasn’t, it was a really beautiful place, and the whole group had a great time. We not only got to see the actual site but also a nearby museum with numerous relics and paintings, which I loved.
The Krka Waterfalls were also great, especially if you enjoy nature hikes, and there was some great food in the area too. The waterfalls were beautiful, and the trees and wildlife were a delight, but there was also a historical blacksmith’s forge in the area that was wonderful to check out.
Sailing was also awesome as we got to enjoy the crystal-blue water and even swam in it, which was fun. I’m not the biggest fan of water, but I did enjoy this one. There’s nothing like feeling the wind and sun in your face as you move across the beautiful waters of Greece with some nice music playing and a good friend by your side.
Finally, there was the Mykonos day trip. We walked through a beautiful city with incredible architecture and wonderful weather. I bought some nice souvenirs for my family there, and I had some great chicken gyros and ice cream with my friends. It was honestly incredible to see, and I am extremely glad I participated.
Now that I’ve explained my own experiences with the excursions, I should explain why you ought to sign up for some. First of all, you can be certain the other people on the program will be doing them. On my program, everyone signed up for the Pompeii and Sailing excursions. I recommend reaching out to the other people going on your program in advance for several reasons, such as meeting them in advance and discussing what you are packing and which excursions they are going on. You don’t want to miss out on what everyone else is experiencing. Second of all, they’re just really, really fun. I had an amazing time with every excursion I went on, and you should have the same great time. Finally, they are a great opportunity to get photos and souvenirs. Memories are important, and this is a great way to preserve your experiences. I can’t stress enough how great the excursions are. They are, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the program and a great opportunity for bonding and memory-making with the friends you made.
Thank you to Student Ambassador Griffin B. for writing this blog post!
