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“Vietnam: A country once wrought with destruction and war; now
blossomed into an almost surreal, tropical landscape of forgiveness,
warmth and natural/cultural rebirth.” -- Conor, Class of 2011
by Roxanne Zazzaro, Head of Upper School
For 44 Brooklyn Friends students and five teachers, spring break 2009
was an experience like no other. After almost a year of preparation and
anticipation, this group traveled across the world to explore the
magnificence and splendor of Vietnam. The ten-day trip took students
from north to south, where they learned about the vast history of the
country, experiencing the culture and visiting sights that reflected
the deep beauty of this unique destination.
Teachers Jon DeGraff, Mark Buenzle and I coordinated and led the trip
(our fourth international spring tour); Sidney Bridges and Jeremy
Richards accompanied the group. The multilingual Mr. Tuyen and Mr. Huy
were our knowledgeable local guides and expert teachers.
Upon landing in Hanoi, the BFS contingent traveled to the natural
wonder of Ha Long Bay for a boat tour. Here we floated through the
thousands of limestone islands scattered in the bay. Conor Heins ’11
said that the calm boat ride through the “beautifully intimidating” bay
made an impression that will stay with him: It instilled in me a new
respect for the capacity and impressive stature of our planet’s nature.”
The next day, our first full day in the country, the group began
learning about Vietnam’s history and culture. In the capital city of
Hanoi, we toured the Temple of Literature and walked through the
Ancient Quarter, a maze of bicycle- and motorcycle-filled alleyways and
markets. As Asha Boston ’10 said, “I will never forget that experience
in the ancient city in Hanoi – the rush, the people, the motorcycles –
everything was so busy!”
The visit to Hoa Lo, the “Hanoi Hilton” was unforgettable. There we
began to learn about the impact of what is known in Vietnam as the
“American War.” Students compared what they knew of the war to what was
portrayed to them at the prison, which includes in its exhibit Senator
John McCain’s flight jacket from his time as a POW. Walking through the
prison, the students were thoughtful and somber. Some felt that the
exhibits were all propaganda, but others reflected, “We are in North
Vietnam, seeing the experiences from a different side.”
After an overnight stay at a resort on the South China Sea, the group
journeyed to Hoi An. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An typifies the
Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries and offers a
unique blend of local and foreign influences. Following a walking tour
of this traffic-free seaport town, the group became chefs for the
afternoon when we took a cooking class at the Morning Glory Restaurant.
A short flight landed the group in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for the
third leg of the trip. Early the next day we began a two-day, one night
excursion to the Mekong Delta where we enjoyed a sampan river cruise,
toured on bicycles through the riverside villages, and visited a rice
plantation and the floating markets.
Several students said that the best part of the visit to Ho Chi Minh
City were the Cu Chi Tunnels. These are underground tunnels that served
as a refuge for the Viet Cong during the war, but which also had been
used by the villagers for many years prior to that time.
After their return home, students reflected on the experience: From
Will Whitney ’12, “My parents said I was going – so I was going. I
thought it was going to be terrible. It wasn’t. It was interesting
and exciting!” CJ Franchina ’12, shared, “Vietnam is beautiful! I will
always remember the skyline of Saigon. I learned more about the history
of Vietnam than I ever thought I would. I didn’t have any expectations,
but it was amazing!”
Conor Heins ’11 remarked, “The terrain and climate was a complete
change from home and I fell instantly in love with its hidden beauty.
The population also maintained a completely different attitude and
culture.”
Traveling to Vietnam was the third BFS excursion for Rufaro Gulsone
’10. She described this trip as “special” because “we had the chance
to interact with the Vietnamese people. This was different from the
other trips.”
Seniors Jackson Watts and Ibrahim Shah have gone on all four spring
trips (Brazil, Peru, Italy and Greece, Vietnam). Reflecting on his
experiences, Jackson said, “I have been very grateful for this
opportunity, traveling from South America to Europe, all the way to
Asia. I’ve gained a greater appreciation for other cultures. I will
miss my annual spring break treks!”
Ibrahim said, “My travels have shown me new cultures, new peoples, and
given me invaluable exposure to a host of new experiences and ideas.”
He continued, “These trips have helped me mature, given me a global
perspective, and showed me how my actions can potentially affect those
in the world. We have been exposed to the issues and conflicts
afflicting humanity on a global scale, and I have been empowered to try
and make a difference in the fortunes of others.”
The Upper School hallways are still filled with talk of the trip.
Students and faculty held a reunion lunch and slide show and began to
talk about next year’s trip. “How do we one-up our journey to Vietnam?
We’ll just have to try.
International Travel for BFS Students
and the Choice of Vietnam
Jon DeGraff, Mark Buenzle and Roxanne Zazzaro have been planning and
conducting international trips for BFS students for the last four
years. The first trip, with 13 students, was to Brazil, followed by a
trip of 20 students to Peru, and 30 students to Greece and Rome. The
goal of these trips is to expose students to the history, physical
beauty, and culture of diverse countries. As the Comparative World
Cultures teacher, Jon was the first to develop a plan for global
travel, believing that even though students studied some continents and
countries, it wasn’t the same. “In addition,” he added, “we only get a
glimpse into certain historical and political aspects of only some
places. We survey history -- it means a great deal more when you
experience history more deeply by visiting and learning about a place
-- including meeting the people who live there.”
The choice of Vietnam was something that the teachers and Roxanne discussed
seriously. Besides the destination being unique, Vietnam is a country
deep in history -- a history that students only learn about from the
1960s onward. There is so much more to the country than the Vietnam War
(which some students seem to glamorize), including its history of
Chinese occupation and French colonialism. When we looked at our
guidelines of global travel -- exposing our students to diverse
countries steeped in culture, history and beauty -- Vietnam was a
definite fit.
Prior to the trip, as in the past, the students were required to attend
lunch lectures and meetings that prepared them for the trip. Guest
speakers who previously visited Vietnam met with the group, outlining
their experiences when they visited. English teacher Jenna Goodman
presented a slide show highlighting her visit of the country and
recommended several books for the students and faculty to read.
Carol Lukensmeyer, founder and president of America Speaks (and
godmother to Jeremy Richards), addressed the entire Upper School openly
and emotionally as she described her visit in the early 1970s. While a
graduate student at Case Western Reserve studying sociology and
behavioral psychology, Carol -- one of the first civilian women to
travel to Vietnam -- was sent to investigate threats made by the Viet
Cong that Catholics would be killed if prisoners weren’t released. As
Carol described her experience, though it was over 30 years ago, she
cried remembering the atrocities of war she witnessed. Carol, who has
not returned to Vietnam, told the students that they were lucky to be
able to go and that the trip would enrich their education. She also
reminded the students to keep in mind that the war was 30 years ago and
to have an open mind about what they would learn and experience about
the country and its people.
In addition to the guest speakers, the trip coordinators researched
vital cultural and environmental information about the country. These
mini-lessons focusing on geography, manners, foods and culture were
presented to the students during lunch meetings, as well as at special
evening meetings held for students and parents. The coordinators know
that sending students abroad is a big investment for families, but they
believe that the benefits of traveling abroad and the lessons learned
are immeasurable. The parents and students seem to agree. |