THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511030045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH HODERMARSKY, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
WHAT WOULD YOU DO if your parent offered to send you on a 15-day tour of Europe with a group of classmates and pay for it all?
If you were Dana Rice, 17, a senior at Catholic High School, you would say, ``forget it.'' At least, that's what he said at first. Dana just didn't find the idea appealing. Then his dad convinced him to attend a few informational meetings and Dana changed his mind.
Each summer Catholic High students - and students from other local high schools - are offered a chance to see Europe through the school's European Travel Study Program.
Patricia S. Wilgus, an American history teacher at Catholic High School, along with her husband, Winton, have taken about 35 students and a few adults to Europe for the past 14 years.
But this trip isn't all fun and games. The Catholic High European Studies Program is a course for which students from Catholic High and other schools can receive a full-year of academic credit.
The program begins with an initial parent/student meeting in the fall. In January, Wilgus begins holding mandatory monthly Saturday seminars that continue into June. A variety of topics are discussed, including how to convert dollars in foreign currency, how to call the United States from abroad, the cultures of the countries on the itinerary and how to survive living out of one suit-case.
To receive academic credit, students must attend every seminar. Students must also keep a daily journal while abroad as well as attend all scheduled activities. Once they return home, they must compile a photo album and scrapbook and pass a final exam on information acquired abroad. Students from other schools must have the project cleared with their principal in order to get credit. Wilgus said that no such requests have been refused.
Wilgus believes strongly in the benefits of this program. ``It can add new dimensions to students' formal curriculum and expand their view of the world and their perspectives on themselves and their own culture,'' she said.
Next year's 17-day trip includes Italy, Austria, Germany, France and England. Highlights of the tour include St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Michelanglo's ``David,'' the palace of Versailles, the Louvre museum, Notre Dame cathedral, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.
But students also have free time during the afternoon to explore Europe, in groups of at least three.
``It's good that . . . you're not shoved into tours all the time,'' said Sarah Army, 17, a senior at Catholic High School who participated in the program this past summer.
The trip is open to anyone who wishes to participate, students and adults. In fact, many students from other schools have joined the program.
Mandy McKanna, 14, a freshman at Salem High, along with her mother, joined the group this summer. Mandy admits that she was nervous about traveling with a group of strangers. She soon made many friends, however, and really enjoyed her experience. Her advice: ``It was a lot of fun and if you get the chance you should go.''
Students last year said the high points were seeing ``Phantom of the Opera'' in London, swimming in a fountain in Verona, Italy, and just trying to communicate with the locals.
The cost is about $2,400, plus spending money. For information on next summer's trip, call Catholic High at 467-2881 and leave a message for Patricia Wilgus. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Elizabeth Hodermarsky is a senior at Catholic High.
by CNB