A foreign language trip is officially returning to Old Saybrook High School this spring after being canceled in recent years due to COVID-19. The trip, which will take place during spring break, is available exclusively to students currently enrolled in German or French classes. Once a more common opportunity for language students, the trip’s revival marks an exciting milestone for the students and staff of OSHS. The return of the trip is largely thanks to Madame Zumbaum, who has worked for years to bring it back after successfully reinstating the Quebec trip two years ago. Planning for this trip began as early as last year, giving students plenty of time to prepare and decide whether or not the trip should go through. For many participating students, the trip offers a great chance to travel internationally with school while experiencing language and culture firsthand.
Madame Zumbaum, who teaches French and German classes, was the largest influence on ensuring this trip happened. Being with the school for 20 years, Zumbaum runs the Quebec trip which has proven to be a large success as it attracted more students as the years have gone by. However, her students have voiced their interest in a trip to either France or Germany and agreeing with their thoughts, Zumbaum figured that a trip to both would be an efficient way to accommodate both her French and German learners. Expressing the importance of this trip, this immersive experience is a way for students to become educated on the culture of these countries. Ultimately, this factor was shown to be the leading cause of students’ interest in this trip.
Michele Sapozhnikov and Pippa Wrightsman, students who will be attending the trip, explained that when fundraising was presented as a necessity to lower the cost, they immediately took on the task. When explaining their interest in the trip Sapozhnikov commented, “I thought like it’s my senior year, you know, my last chance to go on this trip. So I was really interested in learning more about French and German culture and language.” Additionally, Wrightsman added, ”it just seems really fun to put the language I’m learning into a real life situation.” Expressing the fun built around this experience and the extensive knowledge they will gain from being around other cultures. When taking into consideration the amount this trip would be costing, the price was not a small amount, therefore many fundraising events took place in order to lessen the cost.
Mainly organized by Wrightsman and Sapozhnikov, this was no easy task they took on. Running drives such as basketball games, bake sales, and wreath sales, each require an extensive amount of work. Sapozhnikov says, “we’re working together and we’re all helping” Assuring that although the task of raising money is difficult, everyone working together allows everything to run easier and ultimately be more successful. Zumbaum states, “they do whatever they can to help bring the cost down. It’s just a character trait.” Specifically, Wrightsman supports her desire to help by saying, “I just really want to help do anything to make it more accessible.”
Ultimately this trip and its fundraising could not have been done without the work of countless people being there for each other. Referring to one of their bake sales, Zumbaum shared, “Honestly like 24 hours before Mrs. Dailey and I were like, oh, no one’s going to do anything. But then everyone was bringing food showing up, standing in the cold after cross country meets.” Expressing the fortune of having this opportunity, Wrightsman emphasized, “It’s just such a unique experience. Like it’s a privilege to be able to do this with the school. Especially with, like, the fundraising, like, it helps allow more people to be able to go.”
