Twice a semester, Emerson students at Kasteel Well go on academic excursions to various countries. After their second excursion, they go on an independent travel break where students have the freedom to explore Europe for five days. Following their trip to Venice and Italy, the Spring 2024 cohort ventured off on their own as part of their break at the end of February. Whether it was solo travel or with friends, students enjoyed the opportunity to visit various countries from Switzerland to Spain.
“I enjoyed seeing ruins in Athens,” junior creative writing student Janaya Busheme said. “We got to visit a temple in Hephaestus and it was like a history book coming to life.”
Sophomore communication studies student Jillian Sullivan described her experiences in Florence and Barcelona.
“Italy was always what I dreamed of it being,” Sullivan said. “It was so interesting how different Venice and Florence were from each other. Venice was more touristy and filled with water whereas Florence was so much more open and spacious and filled with high end eats and fashion.”
“Barcelona was by far my favorite place,” she continued. “Although I was only there for a day and a half, I packed as much [in] as I could!”
Check out this photo gallery to see where students spent their time away from the castle.
Sophomore marketing communications student Sam Switall stands in front of Il Paradiso, a canvas painting in the Grand Council Hall at the Doge’s Palace, a landmark building that was once the Doge’s residence and the center of the Venetian government, in Venice, Italy. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Switall)
The canals of Bruges, Belgium, have been described as the “veins of the city.” The city’s boat tours are known as a primary tourist attraction. (Jordan Pagkalinawan/ Beacon Staff)
Sophomore marketing communications student Sam Switall waits for a train in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Switall)
The Geneva Skateboard Museum in Switzerland houses over 3,000 boards and is free to all visitors. (Photo courtesy of Cate Banks)
Jim Zbinden, the owner of the Geneva Skateboard Museum, founded the project in 1995. (Photo courtesy of Cate Banks)
Paella, one of Barcelona’s signature dishes, is a delectable combination of seafood and rice cooked in a pan. (Photo courtesy of Jillian Sullivan)
The view of Venetian architecture from a water taxi, the main mode of transportation between the islands of Venice. (Photo courtesy of Janaya Busheme)
A night view of one of many bridges along Venice’s network of canals. (Photo courtesy of Janaya Busheme)
The main square of Bruges, Belgium, filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, and chocolatiers, among other businesses. (Jordan Pagkalinawan/ Beacon Staff)
The Bruges City Hall is steps away from the city center. (Jordan Pagkalinawan/ Beacon Staff)
A view of Malta, an island country in the Mediterranean Sea, from a boat. (Meg Richards/ Beacon Staff)
The sunset over Florence, Italy. (Photo courtesy of Jillian Sullivan)
The workshop area of Choco Story, a renowned chocolate museum in Bruges, Belgium, where workers demonstrate how certain types of chocolate are created. (Jordan Pagkalinawan/ Beacon Staff)
The ski lift in Geneva, Switzerland, offers a panoramic view of the city, which is the second-largest in Switzerland and famous for its natural beauty. (Photo courtesy of Cate Banks)
