Ashley Jun ’26 and Eunice Lee ’27
Staff Writer and Contributor
Alvord Center’s Summer IEPs
This summer break, the Alvord Center again offered students the exciting opportunity to travel worldwide. This year’s trips are especially remarkable as the community fully readjusts from COVID-19 and resumes traditional trips. Throughout the summer, the students had the chance to visit London, Iceland, and France.
Known as popular cultural hotspots, each country gave a unique and immersive experience that allowed Loomis students to deepen their understanding of diversity while expanding their perspectives on international affairs.
From exploring the bustling streets of London to marveling at Iceland’s geothermal wonders, each trip left a lasting impact on the students. Mrs. Sarah Griggs, Associate Director of the Alvord Center and a Science faculty who led the Iceland trip with Dr. John Morrell, Director of Writing Initiatives, said that during the trip, students were able to explore the world through a new lens, allowing them to discover new perceptions towards the world.
“Students went outside their comfort zones to learn about a new culture and endeavor to see things from other perspectives,” said Dr. Morrell.
Additionally, faculty advisors expressed their joy when they saw student engagement throughout the trip. “[It was a] rewarding experience [and] [it] is exciting when students themselves immerse themselves in something they have learned,” stated Mrs. Griggs.
Unique experiences on each trip shaped student takeaways. Eli Somberg ’26, who attended the London trip, explained how amazing it was to learn about the thrifting culture in London and its efforts to break mainstream fashion.
Sharing the typical day-to-day agenda, Eli remarks “[We] learned how to navigate the tube a lot. Then we would have a workshop, for example, a Graffiti workshop. We would go thrifting, watch Shakespeare play, [and] check out some ethnic food places”.
Matthew Li ’26, who attended the Iceland trip, described his positive experience learning about Iceland’s unique connection between nature and society. Li said, “We had many opportunities to reflect on our feelings and senses after hiking or simply enjoying the scenery. It is all such an unforgettable memory.”
As Loomis transitions back to another academic year, the memories from these summer adventures will undoubtedly foster personal growth on the Island. Mrs. Griggs says, “I was inspired by the balance that most in Iceland seem to have found between their personal and professional lives: there is much less haste in the day, and the general level of happiness felt higher than what’s often found in the U.S.”
