BY ANDREW DUPONT
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Two local teachers and students had the chance to be visit Europe this summer as part of program that’s not just fun, but educational.
Kathleen Noble and Stacey Rospierski, both first grade teachers from Bailey Lake Elementary, were chaperons for the People to People Student Ambassadors program, which took 42 fifth and sixth grade students from Oakland and Livingston Counties to four European countries
The trip lasted two weeks, between July 3-16, and the group stopped in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
‘It (the program) was started by President Eisenhower in the 1950’s to unite different countries and give children an opportunity to see different parts of the world,? said Rospierski.
Rospierski said this was her first year with the program, while Noble was in her fifth. Noble also said the destination of the annual program varies, and that next year’s destination is Australia.
Two Clarkston students took part in the program: Michael Culver from Bailey Lake and Cody Ramsey from Springfield Plains. The students visited Ysgol Cae Top School, which was located in Bangor, Wales.
‘It was just really cool. They have a lot of the same things as us,? said Michael. Michael said the students sang the Wales nation anthem in Welsh and then the American students sang our national anthem.
‘The school was very diverse,? said Noble.
Noble said 15 different countries were represented by the school and that many of the students spoke up to four languages fluently.
The group’s visit to London came one week after the subway bombings on July 7.
‘We were in Wales when the bombings occurred,? said Noble. She added the group was on a ferry traveling between Ireland and Wales when they heard about the bombing on television.
‘We (the chaperons) were obviously a little more concerned than the children were at that point because a lot of them didn’t even know,? said Noble.
Noble said the students took the news of the bombing well, and that the planned trip to London would have been canceled if there was a problem.
Rospierski said the group eventually did visit London and took part in a moment of silence. Noble said the only part of the program that was canceled was riding the subway and coaches in London.
‘Other than that though, I felt really safe,? said Rospierski. Noble mentioned that a lot of guards were visible when they were in downtown London.
‘I liked London just because it was cool seeing all the different cars,? said Michael. ‘It’s a city, so there’s a ton of cars driving on what we think is the wrong side of the road. But after a while you get used to it.?
While in London, the group met with Sir Andrew Bowden, a retired member of Parliament, who Noble said talked to the children about the British reaction to the bombing.
‘He was really cool. He had really cool views on life and everything,? said Michael.
Michael said his favorite country was Scotland, where he visited a castle and watched bagpipe players.
Sandy Culver, Michael’s mother, said Michael liked the bagpipes so much he bought a small version of them, which he is now learning to play.
‘It’s an incredible experience,? said Sandy, refering to Michael’s participation in the program. ‘One that I don’t know if he would have been able to have if it wasn’t for People to People inviting him.
‘It’s just so different from here and I wanted him to experience that,? said Sandy, who has traveled in Europe herself. ‘And I was very comfortable with these two teachers.?
Noble said the children attend an initial meeting in September and are interviewed to see if they would make good candidates for such a trip. After the initial meeting, the group meets once a month at Oakland University in preparation for the trip. Noble said all the children had monthly homework assignments and they were required to keep an academic journal before and during the trip. In addition, each student had researched some aspect of their destination and gave a presentation before leaving.
‘They have to work, it’s not just all fun,? said Sandy. ‘And actually they get credit for that.?
Students who participate in the program earn a high school credit.
Rospierski said the group usually had to wake up around 7 a.m. every day and tried to have three or four big events every day.
‘The day is jam packed, we’re busy all the time,? said Rospierski.
‘I just thought it was the coolest experience,? said Michael. ‘Some people, they’ve never been to Europe in their whole life and it’s really cool that I got to go when I’m 11 years old.?