The Black and White

by Emilia Koopman and Kaylie Martell

When a group of students presented the idea of traveling and exploring Italy, teachers Mrs. Mather and Mrs. Corpolongo (and Mrs. Fairbanks as a chaperone) provided the interested students the opportunity for it to happen. During the summer of 2024, they helped to make a dream trip to Italy, the “vacation of a lifetime”. The group started in Milan and worked their way down to Rome. 

Highlights

The leader of the trip, Mrs. Mather explains why she loves leading student trips, as it is a great and affordable experience to see different cultures outside of classrooms. She explains how traveling with kids is fun, watching them enjoy different cultures and settings. The goal of both teachers was to give students the best view of Italian culture, as they traveled in all different areas of Italy. Their biggest highlight was to allow students to come together with their Pilgrim peers. Not only did students connect and build stronger relationships with their peers, but they also interacted with a group of teenagers from Kentucky, who were also traveling on the same tour with them. Another one of their highlights was enjoying many “must-see” places, including Capri and Assisi, saying that many students on the trip agreed. 

Why EF Tours? 

Mrs. Mather explains how she would use EF Tours again to travel to unfamiliar countries. She states how they offer the best opportunities to a large number of students, using the most protection and safety. Both Mrs. Corpolongo and Mrs. Mather explained how well the tour guides handled their tough positions. Mrs. Mather’s main complaint was about how she would have liked to interact with her students more. Instead, she had to constantly be around the tour guide for what seemed to her, most of the trip. Another complaint was the dinners that EF Tours chose. Mrs. Corpolongo thought they were bad examples of what authentic Italian food truly is. 

What’s Next? 

Mrs. Mather is leading more upcoming student trips, also using EF Tours. Taking place this summer is a trip to London, Paris, and Barcelona. She is also leading a trip to Greece during the summer of 2026. Sign up and you can also take these trips of a lifetime! While Mrs. Corpolongo has no scheduled trips planned at the moment, she would love to do Italy again. To see some of the school’s Italy trip adventures, check out Mrs. Corpolongo’s Instagram account! (sigra.corpo)