“Traveling is more than just visiting new places; it is a profound way to witness how others live around the planet.” With these words, Pennington’s Director of Cross-Cultural Experiential Learning Lida Castro opened a recent Chapel service dedicated to the transformative power of travel. During the School’s recent spring break, many Pennington students ventured far beyond the classroom, exploring the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, the expansive South African savannah, the historic ruins of Italy, and the vibrant shores of Puerto Rico. 

From hiking the Arenal Volcano to ziplining through the Monteverde cloud forest, both Middle and Upper School students immersed themselves in Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. For Henry A. ’26 though, the landscape was only half the story. “Costa Rica is for sure an incredibly beautiful place, but the country’s beauty was reflected and amplified by the many people who welcomed us and openly shared their passions.”

The journey to Puerto Rico offered a blend of environmental education and community service. Students like Nate O. ’28 didn't just kayak through bioluminescent bays; they also spent time at a local food bank helping to address food insecurity on the island. This hands-on approach allowed students to gain deep insight into the island's conservation and community outreach efforts.

While visiting the ruins of Pompeii and the architectural icons of Rome, students found that history has a way of changing the present. Kate S. ’28, who had visited Italy previously with her family, found this School-led immersion life-changing. “I gained courage and fell in love with the people and culture of Italy. By the end of the trip, I realized how much more open I was to embracing new experiences. My once timid and cautious self was taking every opportunity I could to make conversation with someone new.”

In Johannesburg, students traded textbooks for a game drive at Nambiti Bush Camp, spotting lions, elephants, and cheetahs. However, the most enduring impact came from time spent in a Zulu village and a local primary school. Chance H. ’26 and his peers returned home with more than just stories; each student had a brightly colored hat, handmade by resourceful Zulu grandmothers they met along the way—a tangible reminder of the culture they had been invited to share. As Director of Technology and trip chaperone Ken Coakley noted, travel acts as a “full system reset.” By stepping outside our own culture, students break free from life's "autopilot," becoming active participants in a global community. "The way we do things here, in our country and in our culture,” said Coakley, “isn’t necessarily the right way; it’s just one way."

Experiential learning trips like these empower students to connect with the world through immersive, hands-on experiences. As these travelers return to campus, they bring back a spark for future adventures and a newfound understanding that their own perspective is just one piece of a much larger, more vibrant world.