Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) Grade 12 students are buzzing with anticipation as they prepare for an upcoming class field trip to Italy and Greece. For many, the journey marks their first time visiting Europe, offering a chance to explore ancient architecture, savour Mediterranean cuisine, and immerse themselves in vibrant cultures before graduation.
Jovie Plett, a seasoned traveler who joined PCI’s Spain and Portugal trip last year, can’t wait to return to Europe. “I’m very excited. I loved it there the first time, so I’m very excited to get back,” she says. “The food. I’m very excited about the food—pasta, gelato, cheese. I mean, the Greek food too—all the fresh fruits and vegetables. You can’t go wrong, honestly.”
Kade Friesen, another Spain and Portugal alum, is eager to contrast those experiences with Italy and Greece. “I think it’ll be different. Greece is more [about] buildings on buildings,” he says, highlighting his fascination with Roman and Greek landmarks. “The architecture there, like the Colosseum and all the different shapes of the buildings… Greek mythology and all that—seeing what buildings are connected to that.”
First-time European traveler Owen Kristof is most captivated by the scenery. “I’m excited to see the ocean in the Mediterranean,” he says. “The culture is just completely different… the flights [are] a big part, [a] completely different experience altogether.”
While excitement dominates, some students acknowledge pre-trip jitters. Benjamin Matthews, who has never visited Europe, admits, “I’m nervous about the 24 hours in airports and flights, really.” Jovie laughs off most concerns but groans about the journey itself: “The travel there is gonna be horrendous. I’m not excited for that with jet lag… that’s probably the worst part.”
Humour lightens the pre-trip stress. When asked if she’d lead a flash mob singing Bella Ciao—a nod to the viral Money Heist series—Jovie deadpans, “Uh, no... Probably?” Upon further consideration, the students quickly began to get excited about the idea of doing a flash mob of the song in a packed Italian restaurant.
Friesen also notes he's excited about the Roman architecture of Italy, but when asked how many times a day he thinks about the Roman Empire - a meme that went viral early last year among youth - some good laughs were shared by the group before he replied, "Honestly, not that much."
As departure nears, the students’ blend of nerves, curiosity, and humour underscores a shared thrill for discovery. Whether marveling at cliffside villas in Greece or navigating Rome’s ancient streets, this trip promises to be a capstone to their high school journey—one gelato scoop at a time.