Students Travel to Spain, Central America

By Billy Malewich '12 

Every year, Xavier students are afforded opportunities to travel to parts of the world they may never have experienced on their own. These trips allow students and faculty to see the similarities and differences in how we all live our lives—and have fun at the same time. This type of travel provides a great way to unwind from busy schedules at home and enjoy exploring the world.

Last week, during Xavier's February break, computer science and technology department chair Mike Chiafulio and English teacher Bill Martino led trips to Costa Rica/Panama and Spain, respectively. Both spoke to the Xavier E-News about the impact the trips had on students and fellow faculty members.

First, we spoke to Mr. Chiafulio.

Xavier E-News: What does it mean to you to take students on this trip every year?
Mike Chiafulio: The trip allows urban kids to interact in a very active way with environments that are fully natural and fully wild. It provides a very cerebral connection to our origins in the natural world. It also allows students to immerse in a new culture as we interact with the people, language, and economy of a foreign country. Finally, it allows me to connect with students in a way that is impossible in a traditional classroom.

Xavier E-News: What was on the itinerary?
Chiafulio: We started by going snorkeling, then went whitewater rafting, did canyon repelling, had some down time to enjoy local beaches, and went on canopy tours. We were able to visit Panama on the Caribbean coast for the first time, and it made an already amazing adventure even better.

Xavier E-News: How can students go on this trip in 2018?
Chiafulio: The trip next year will also include Panama and is open to all grades. You can register your son for the trip during next year's February break by contacting Mr. Chiafulio at chiafuliom@xavierhs.org.


Next, we spoke with Mr. Martino about the trip he took with Xavier students and faculty to Spain.

Xavier E-News: Where did your group travel?
Bill Martino: Over break, we traveled to Spain with a group of about 20 students. We spent the first half of our journey in Catalonia, where we took a spectacular day trip to Montserrat, the mountain town in northern Spain where St. Ignatius Loyola resolved to devote himself to spiritual life. In Barcelona, we were about a 20-minute walk from the Olympic port and Nova Icaria beaches. From Barcelona, we took a high-speed train to Madrid. In Madrid, we visited the Prado, El Retiro Park, and took a day trip to a bull ranch in Buitrago where we saw a matador training his apprentice.

Xavier E-News: What were you and the rest of the people on the trip able to take away from the experience?
Martino: I think what most students got out of the trip was an appreciation for a culture unlike our own. I really believe that traveling offers our students experiences that they just can't get in the classroom. They discover their independence, and with that comes self-confidence. Getting out of one's comfort zone, trying new cuisine, and struggling with a different language are all invaluable experiences. It's a great opportunity for our students because they're placed in an entirely new setting and they learn to bond and rely on each other. These trips also offer our young men great bonding experiences and give them the ability to make new friends they might not have been able to make without this experience.

E-News: How can students be a part of this experience next year?
Martino: Next year Xavier will be travelling to Italy over February break. If this is something you would like to experience, you can email Mr. Martino at martinow@xavierhs.org.