By Raphael Nigaglioni | Staff Writer
Adrian Viccellio and Justin Felux, two world history teachers, decided that this year, they want to take students’ learning outside the classroom by offering them a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to China. This is the first, of what they hope to be many, summer trips to historical sites in various countries.
“We’re going to try to take students every summer, this is the first summer we are doing this. We’re going to China for nine days in June, it’s an educational tour. We will explore historical sites, museums, and take a firsthand experience in history. We’re taking it out of the classroom and into the real world. We’ll see where revolutions happened and archeological sites. It’s going to be a blast,” Viccellio said.
Instead of just reading about historical events, the students will be able to experience the country and people firsthand.
“We’re going to go to the markets and taste some crazy food like starfish and scorpions. We’re going to be exhausted everyday too, traveling so much. We’ll be going to markets and try to buy some foods and electronics, it’ll be a lot of fun,” Viccellio said.
In addition to having little time due to traveling and visiting historical sites, the students will be able to try new fun experiences.
“This isn’t affiliated with the school or with NEISD but we figured a lot of schools around San Antonio, and around the world, take these trips as something to offer the students about gaining the opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom and do something really exciting, and that’s why we’re so excited to do this,” Felux said.
Felux and Viccellio are very eager to be giving the students this incredible opportunity.
“It’s one thing to learn a lot about world history in a textbook and classroom, but to actually go there and see it is something completely different and more exciting. I think the kids really appreciate seeing the value of what we learned in history class when they can experience it firsthand,” Felux said.
Despite being the first big trip for Felux and Viccellio it seems it will be just as fun as it is educational.
“I’m really excited, it sounds like a really fun experience. I’ve never been outside the country before. I love Mr. Felux a lot. He was a great teacher,” junior Reagan Buell said.
In an odd twist of events, learning has actually become exciting.
“I’m super excited. I’ve never gotten to go and I’ve always wanted to ever since I lived in Germany and started learning about China. I think it’ll be a lot of fun because Mr. Felux and Mr. Viccellio were awesome teachers and they’re going to be able to show us a lot of cool stuff. I think it will be cool to see what we have been learning for so long and be able to experience it,” senior Chris Brierly said.
Some students are anticipating a long, dreadful flight to China.
“I’m not looking forward to the flight, I don’t fall asleep easily sitting up,” Buell said.
The students appear to be very excited to be going, not just for China but for the whole company.
“Most of the kids going were our former students. Mr. Viccellio and I know all of the students. I am definitely excited to go,” Felux said.
