Around the World in 68 Days: Samo Students Explore the World Over Summer Vacation

Some of us go to day camps. Some of us take classes to get ahead. Some of us just spend the glorious days sleeping in and hanging out with friends. But even though catching up on much-needed sleep can be very gratifying, a few Samo students find the exploration of foreign lands more appealing. Samo students are seeing a lot of the world this summer vacation, experiencing new cultures and developing talents; and what they learn during this summer experience will be what they bring right back to the Samo community.Walt Disney once said that, "of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language." Junior Hunter Zepeda will learn about this universal language this summer, when he will spend most of his summer taking and studying photography in Switzerland.Zepeda is spending a month at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), which offers a photography class with around 150 students, around a quarter of which are from the United States.According to Zepeda, the TASIS photography course does not focus on specific techniques, but instead offers instruction on many aspects of photography."The class is fairly general; it goes through the taking of the photo to the actual editing process," Zepeda said.Zepeda said he heard about the program through his family members."My aunt recommended it to me once she learned I was interested in doing something with photography over the summer," Zepeda said. "She had sent my cousins to the same program and said they had an amazing time."Amongst several anticipations, Zepeda looks forward to the experience of being independent in an entirely different continent."I'm particularly looking forward to being on my own in Europe for the first time ever," Zepeda said. "I plan on staying in the local village during most of my free time so I can really experience being on my own and exploring outside of a controlled setting."Besides traveling for fun, Zepeda wanted to learn about photography in a more unique and far-away setting."I really wanted to travel outside of the country for a photography class," Zepeda said. "So when I found a location and a program I was fond of, I just had to go."Though Zepeda did not take the Samo photography class this year, he plans to take it next year, and wants to apply his knowledge to the class at Samo.Sophomore Linda Gordon is already an avid musician, dancer and helper in the Santa Monica community. But this summer, she is bringing these talents to South America, where she will spend about a month exploring various locations in Peru."I wanted to do something meaningful with my summer, and the possibility of traveling and seeing other parts of the world thrilled me," Gordon said. "After [Spanish teacher Kelly Bates] told me about this program, I did some research and applied for the trip."One of the primary aspects of the trip involves Gordon's dance exploration; a dedicated dancer since she was four, Gordon wishes to learn about Peruvian culture through the vehicle of dancing."I love immersing myself in movement, and using dance to express myself," Gordon said. "Dance is an important part of cultures around the world. This summer I will have the great opportunity to learn some of the traditional folk dances from the Incan and Peruvian culture. I can only look forward to this unique cross-cultural experience."According to Gordon, her trip to Peru is unique in that it focuses on both community service and the arts."I will be working on various construction projects, in a soup kitchen and possibly in a school," Gordon said. "For the arts exploration portion I will be in the city of Trujillo working with local artists, musicians, dancers, and learning about the unique Afro-Peruvian culture."However, not all of her time will be occupied with volunteer work and dance. Gordon also plans to enjoy the country's landmarks."My last few days will be spent climbing Machu Picchu," Gordon said. "I have always been mesmerized and awed by the grandeur of Machu Picchu and I cannot wait to enrich myself in the Peruvian culture."mgumbel@thesamohi.com