On July 13, seventy students and teachers from Southern Lehigh High School will travel to Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands until July 25. Students, teachers, and staff will be accompanied by a full-time tour director who will handle local transportation, hotels, and meals while also providing their own insight into the local history and culture.

“When you travel, you learn a lot,” social studies teacher and trip coordinator Mr. Matt Cooper said. “I hope students learn about different cultures and ecosystems. Having to travel is huge, so I hope students learn a lot about themselves.”

The teachers and staff accompanying the students on this trip are principal Mrs. Christine Siegfried, school nurse Ms. Merrilyn Pysher, technical education teacher Mr. Robert Gaugler, school resource officer Mr. Brian McLaughlin, instructional aide Ms. Lindsay Horvath, Spanish teacher Ms. Jessica Swartz, French teacher Mrs. Kaytlyn Byers, and English teacher Mr. Michael Fay.

Days one and two will be spent flying to Australia and crossing the International Date Line. Days three through six will be spent in Sydney, Australia. On day seven, students, teachers, and staff will fly to Auckland, New Zealand, and from there travel to Rotorua, New Zealand, where they will stay until day nine when students will travel to Rarotonga. They will spend day ten in Rarotonga, and return home on day eleven.

“I hope to learn just about life in these countries, like what they eat,” French teacher Mrs. Byers said. “Also if it’s really different from the U.S. or not because they still speak English.”

While in Sydney, students, teachers, and staff will be able to participate in many amazing activities. There will be many opportunities, such as observing a bird’s-eye view of the city from the observation deck of Sydney Tower, taking a boat tour on Sydney Harbor, touring the Sydney Opera House, and visiting the National Opal Collection. Animal and nature lovers will also have the chance to visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Taronga Zoo, and Featherdale Wildlife Park.

“I’m looking forward to hugging a koala bear,” Mrs. Byers said.

In Rotura, students, teachers, and staff will be able to board an amphibious duck boat to explore Rotura’s historic landmarks and natural wonders, ride the Skyline Gondola, and visit a Whaka Maori village. They will also go snorkeling and take a Cook Island Cultural tour.

“I went into [the South Pacific trip] without knowing anything about the countries we are going to visit,” sophomore Sydney Dunbar said. “I’m on board to learn more about the people and the culture that exists in these areas.”