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Holliston students, teachers report learning and community bonds from Italy and France trip
Summary
Teachers and students from Holliston High School's Global Citizens Program presented to the School Committee about a recent study-travel trip to Northern Italy and Southern France, reporting experiential learning in sustainability, agriculture and cultural exchange and noting growing program enrollment.
Caitlin Mills, a history teacher and coordinator of the Global Citizens Program at Holliston High School, told the School Committee on May 15 that the program is in its third year and is growing rapidly, with about 90 students participating this year and 12 seniors who will be recognized at graduation.
The Global Citizens advisors and student participants presented highlights from an April study-travel trip to Northern Italy and Southern France. "We had about 90 students actively involved in the program. We currently have 12 seniors that are gonna be graduating," Mills said. She introduced Shauna Frost, the English teacher who served as a trip advisor and organizer, and student speakers who described the itinerary and learning activities.
Shauna Frost, an English teacher and advisor, said the 36 students who returned from the trip were praised by tour staff and local guides for their curiosity and conduct. "Everywhere we went, we were complimented by our tour director, local tour guides, our bus driver, acknowledged that we were the best group that he's ever worked with," Frost said, and described hands‑on learning opportunities including microscopy, sustainable agriculture visits and a cooking class.
Jack Swan, an 11th‑grade student who spoke for the group, described cultural immersion and environmental learning at vineyards and apple orchards, and noted the social benefits of the trip. "The relationships that we made were really unbelievable," Jack Swan said. He added that students bonded across grade levels and kept in contact after return.
Frost and Mills told the committee the program aims to integrate experiential learning with classroom units on sustainability and global citizenship, and that the international travel component helps students apply concepts they watch and read about in class. The committee praised the participants and advisors during general committee comments.
Committee members and visitors also noted program growth among younger grades and encouraged continued support. Mills said about 70 eighth‑graders have expressed interest in the introductory Global Citizens class next year.
The School Committee did not take a formal vote about the program during the meeting; advisors asked only to share the trip report and thank the committee for support.
