Report on Inaugural Trip to France and London
The first overseas trip of Brooks’ World Travels took 25 students to both London and France between March 12 and March 20, 2004. MHS Faculty members, Kim McGourty, Cindy Goods, Dominic Centorino and Bill Battis were the chaperones. As the accompanying story in the Marshfield mariner reports, the trip was a fantastic success. The students visited many famous historical sites including the Eiffel Tower, Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, the Globe Theater, Piccadilly Circus and many many other sites. They also saw “We Will Rock You,” Queen’s musical at the Dominion Theater in London. On their free time the students shopped, strolled and visited other sites of their own choosing.
Also in keeping with the mission of Brooks’ World Travels, the students met their peers at the Villier’s High School in London. This school includes British students and many refugee students from India, Pakistan and other countries. Friendships, soccer games and stories were shared and email addresses were exchanged.
When the United States Embassy heard of Brooks’ World Travels and its mission, it offered to dedicate a tree at the embassy to Brooks and the program set up in his memory. This was scheduled for the following year.
One of the most remarkable results of this first trip, besides the adventure and the opportunity to meet students from other countries was what many students said about their experience. They said that they never realized how close and comfortable they became with other students from their own school, students who they had seen in the hallways and classes for at least three years but never really knew. Brooks would smile. This first trip fulfilled its mission.
Download a newspaper article about this trip. [PDF]
