On Sept. 4, the 2025-2026 school ‘Destination Inspiration Series’ abroad trip applications were released to students in grades ninth through twelfth. On this year’s list of trips there are familiar destinations from last year’s Global Platform, and as well as new ones.
This year trips in the ‘Destination Inspiration Series’ include: a Spanish immersion trip to Colombia, a trip to Rome, a French language trip to Paris, an art trip to Mexico city, the ‘enlightenment’ (Europe) trip, The 2026 Japan Cor Unum trip, and the 2026 Cor Unum and culture China trip. As an annual tradition, the sophomore class will travel abroad to Costa Rica.
“On the Rome trip, I’m most excited to see the architecture,” sophomore Taryn Crow said. “I’m excited to think about the history surrounding Rome,”
Certain foreign language classes have immersion trips such as the Colombia trip, the Paris trip, and the Rome trip. However, other trips such as Arte Mexico City, the Enlightenment (Europe) trip, the 2026 Cor Unum Japan trip, and the 2026 Cor Unum/Culture China trips are open to any students who apply.
“This year I’m so excited to go on the trip to China in March,” senior Abigail Chacon Lara said. “I think it’s so cool that I get to go on this trip and learn more about Chinese culture even though I don’t take Mandarin.”
The deadline for all of the 2025-2026 ‘Destination Inspiration Series’ excursions were due on Sept. 9, and students across the high school grades are already getting excited for their various trips, according to junior Anya Abraham.
“I’m very very excited to go to Rome this year,” Abraham said. “I’m mostly looking forward to exploring the city and seeing the architecture!”
180 unique student applications have been sent in for the 2025-2026 ‘Destination Inspiration Series’ trips, according to Global Platform director Devin DeMartini Cooke. So far, 17 students have been accepted for Denmark, 11 students for Colombia, 7 students for Mexico City, 21 students for Rome, 17 students for the Enlightenment Europe trip, 19 students for the Japan 2026 Cor Unum, and 30 students for the China Culture 2026 Cor Unum trip. This translates to about 68% of the 180 unique student applications being accepted as of Sept. 25. It’s not just the students who are getting excited about the trips abroad, the teacher chaperones are also looking forward to their respective experiences, according to ethics and world religions teacher Clint Hackenburg.
“I’m very excited to possibly go to Costa Rica this year as a chaperone,” Hackenburg said. “I teach mostly sophomores, and I’m most looking forward to spending time with students outside of the classroom and getting to know them beyond just as students.”
Other teachers leading and chaperoning some of the ‘Destination Inspiration Series’ trips include Antony Reyes leading the Spanish immersion trip to Colombia, and David Jacobson leading the trip to Rome.
“I’m so excited,” Crow said. “I have been looking forward to this for years!”
