CHS students, from left, Joe Jacobs, Juliet Browning, Blythe Browning, Samantha Berg, and Nelson Quinonez Gomez visit the Colosseum on a touring day in Rome, Italy.
Carrollton High School students in the International Baccalaureate program furthered their education, making global connections to their studies with the support of the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation. During the 10-day trip at the end of May, five rising seniors, Samantha Berg, Juliet Browning, Blythe Browning, Nelson Quinonez, and Joe Jacobs, traveled internationally for the first time to Spoleto, Italy, where they lived with host families, experienced local schools, and learned about Italian culture.
On May 17, students departed from Atlanta and began the roughly 5,000-mile trek to the Italian town. This incredible opportunity provided to students by the CCS Education Foundation was established in partnership with the University of West Georgia, which holds a strong connection with Spoleto, having led more than 20 study abroad trips there since 2012.
They flew into Rome, where they met UWG Executive Director of Global Engagements and Cultural Programming Dr. Chad Davidson, before traveling to Spoleto and connecting with their host families. UWG Italian Liaison Elisa Bassetti placed CHS students with trusted local families for the duration of their stay, allowing them to be immersed in the culture. Bassetti is also the founder of ArteLingua, a language school that integrates gaining fluency with cultural experiences. In preparation for the trip, the foundation provided Italian lessons for students, coordinated by Bassetti, to develop practical speaking skills.
From the cuisine to the classroom, they experienced the everyday life of an Italian teenager. CHS participants were matched with Spoleto peers during school sessions and received additional lessons and educational excursions through ArteLingua. This valuable exchange enabled the CHS students to share their knowledge as well, as they were given the chance to work with Italian high schoolers and elementary-aged students who are learning English.
Expanding their travels, IB Coordinator and CHS teacher Dr. Noah Brewer joined the latter part of the trip and took students on an excursion to Rome, leading the group through a journey of history, art, and culture—exactly the types of connections at the core of the IB curriculum. Brewer planned a tour of historical landmarks, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and many more.
“All throughout school, we learn about history by reading textbooks and looking at the occasional photo. However, nothing compares to actually standing in the middle of it,” said Blythe Browning. “I don’t think I ever could have appreciated these things as much if I had stayed in a classroom; you have to be there to feel and experience the weight of that much time.”
On their final day, Brewer and students, along with community leaders from Carrollton, were recognized by Spoleto’s Mayor Andrea Sisti and Minister of Education Luigina Renzi. The reception honored the cooperation between the cities, and many representatives from west Georgia were in attendance, including UWG President Dr. Mike Johnson, UWG First Lady Beth Johnson, Carrollton City Manager David Brooks, and Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President Rhyne Owenby.
Supported by the CCS Education Foundation, what began years ago as a vision to offer international travel opportunities for students has now become a reality, with the hope that it could grow into an annual experience for future CHS students and a reciprocal opportunity for Italian students to visit Carrollton.
Reflecting on the trip, Nelson Quinonez noted that foundation support bridges the gap for students who otherwise could not afford to go.
“It is important for students to have access to experiences like this because not everyone has the same resources to attend. Specifically, trips like the one to Spoleto are important because they allow students to learn outside the classroom and see new places and perspectives,” Nelson said. “At the same time, funding also makes sure that all students can participate, no matter their situation.”
This enrichment experience marks an exciting milestone as CCS continues to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom through field trips both locally and around the world.
“International travel opportunities like this are an investment in our students’ futures. Experiences beyond the classroom broaden perspectives, build confidence, and deepen cultural understanding in ways that impact students for years to come,” CCS Education Foundation Executive Director Brooke Mobley said. “The Education Foundation is honored to support trips like this for our students.”
The Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation is no stranger to providing students with global educational experiences–from Taiwanese debate tournaments to international ROV competitions in Canada. To learn more or to support enrichment experiences for students at Carrollton City Schools, visit www.carrolltoncityschools.net/community/foundation.
