Student Stories
Travel is a thrill. It’s an adventure. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime memory in the making.
Going to France opened my eyes to the world and made me realize I wanted to travel with my job. I am willing to relocate anywhere for work now because of this trip. This year I leave for Germany for a year for a dual-degree study abroad program between Illinois State University and the University of Paderborn in Paderborn, Germany. If it wasn’t for my ACIS trip, I’d have no clue where I would be today or what I would be doing. This trip jump-started my college career. If I could do it again, I certainly would. I would recommend this for anybody.”
ALLIE, ACIS Participant
Student Spotlight
Nick’s Costa Rican Adventure
We’re shining a spotlight on Nick, who traveled on an ACIS trip to Costa Rica. What did he think about his adventure abroad? Find out in this exclusive interview!
Read more on the BlogA Girl in Class, by Vanessa Tasé Sueiro from Florida
Grand Prize, High School – $1,000 Scholarship
Vanessa’s thoughts:
There is a common assumption that all immigrants are world learners and open-minded about other cultures, but this takes time and effort. Making a community takes accepting, if not embracing, our differences, which is represented in “A Girl in Class.”
My Dolls, by Monique Evdokiou from California
Runner-Up, High School – $500 Scholarship
Monique’s thoughts:
This piece demonstrates the prolific effect that a childhood tradition has had on my appreciation for assimilating with other cultures. Acceptance of differences creates and even more beautiful community.
Textbook, by Sidney Haines from Arizona
Grand Prize, Middle School – $1,000 Scholarship
Sidney’s thoughts:
“Textbook” describes how global citizenship relates to one’s humanity through the experiences it provides.
What We Need More Of, by Haeon Lee of New York
Runner-Up, Middle School – $500 Scholarship
Haeon’s thoughts:
Stepping back a little and viewing the larger perspective of the world is crucial to becoming a global citizen. We often hear about racial and gender equality, but sometimes looking beyond these restrictive categories can allow us to see the simple connection from one human being to another. I wanted to express this necessary human connection in my poem.
Student Spotlight
Johnny Vrba
Johnny Vrba, a high school senior from Illinois, traveled with his classmates to France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. We interviewed Johnny about his experience traveling to Europe, what it was like making new friends and how his tour manager, Jerome, completely made his experience what it was.
Read more on the BlogVideo Contest Winners
#Tag Along
Get a taste for what’s really happening on tour. Browse recent participants’ photos and posts by visiting instagram.com/acistours. Then when you travel, tag along with us on Twitter or Instagram using #ACISTours. You may even see yourself here one day!
