Since the late 2000’s, the Old Saybrook High School has not offered any opportunities across seas. This year, that changed. Madame Zumbaum, with the help of others, pushed for this opportunity for the cultural immersion of her students. Parents had been asking Zumbaum for this trip to be offered since she arrived in 2009. After a handful of successful trips to Quebec, Zumbaum answered the parents and made this trip happen. This trip lasted 7 days, and brought 20 students abroad with 3 chaperones including Madam Zumbaum, Mrs. Dailey, and Mrs. Santopietro.
Zumbaum teaches both French and German at the high school, and shares a deep passion for the culture. When asked why she chose to take her students to french and germany, she responded it was because “im a native from France and Germany, I have a French Mother and German Father, I have lived in both countries, and I thought that I could offer a very authentic and safe trip to students since I am home in France and Germany.” Not only were the countries carefully selected, so were the towns visited within. “Paris is Paris, of course” added Zumbaum about their first city. The towns of Strasbourg and Heidelberg were chosen since they are “both very mixed French/German towns, which I think will be nice for students to see how two cultures can work together.” Zumbaum also adds that “Heidelberg is a very typical German town, one of the oldest university towns in Europe”. Before departure, Zumbaum said that her favorite part of the trip will be “the students faces, how amazed and touched they will be by French and German language and culture, it makes me happy”
Not only was Zumbaum excited for this opportunity, so were the students attending. In an interview prior to their departure, Junior Jayden Kujawki shared how she was most excited to “explore a new country and see how different the world is from outside the american perspective … .it’s a really great opportunity”. Freshman Skye Hedin adds how French and German “architecture is really old and that will be interesting to see. Additionally, students were asked what they anticipate their favorite part will be and reflect back upon arrival. Kujawki commented that her favorite part will be “probably Paris…..[and the] Louver”. Once back in Old Saybrook, Kujawski said that her real favorite part was “Strasbourg and explore[ing] the culture more.” Kujawski also added that the most unexpected thing happened upon the group’s arrival. “We all sorta bonded quickly”.
Incorporating the educational aspect of this trip, Kujawki added that she “never realized how much I’d actually use French when over there, and I’m so thankful I knew all I did because I connected with people so much!”. Finally, when asked the big question, would you do it all again, Kujawki responded “I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and can’t wait for Spain next year!”
