Every year, Roosevelt Intermediate School gives 8th graders a chance to travel to Europe over spring break. This year, 27 students, 8 parents, and 4 chaperones joined the exciting adventure, visiting three amazing cities: London, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
The European trip tradition began in 2016 when Mrs. Pentangelo chaperoned a similar trip at Edison School. She thought it would be a great idea for Roosevelt, so when she returned, she organized the first trip for Roosevelt students. While Edison still runs its own version of the trip, the two schools travel separately.
Out of all the stops, London was the favorite among students. The group visited the famous Globe Theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were performed, along with popular landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and the “Spider-Man Bridge”—a nickname for Tower Bridge, thanks to a scene from Spider-Man: Far From Home filmed there.
They also toured the Chelsea FC soccer stadium and even got a behind-the-scenes look. One night, they attended a performance of The Play That Goes Wrong, which many found hilarious. With so many iconic sights, fun activities, and free time to explore, London was a hit.
Next, the group traveled to Brussels, Belgium, though just for one day. While there, they explored the Medieval city of Ghent and enjoyed a chocolate-making workshop. Students also tasted traditional Belgian food, which they described as amazing.
In Amsterdam, the group explored the city in two unique ways: by boat through the canals and on a two-hour bike ride. A powerful moment of the trip was visiting the Anne Frank House, where students saw the secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II.
They were also lucky enough to visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, open for only six weeks each year. During their visit, the tulips were in full bloom. To top it all off, students went to a clog and cheese farm, where they tasted real Dutch cheese and learned how to make wooden clogs—traditional shoes worn in Amsterdam as far back as the 13th century.
Everyone had different favorite memories, but many agreed that London was the most exciting. Brennan Nitche said his favorite part was, “London because of the fish and chips, and free time.” Brennan Thorbern and Alex Ru also picked free time in London as their top moment. Jacob Fisher loved bike riding through the city, and Michael Petrizis said getting Mr. Whippy’s ice cream in London was the best part. Brooke Naznitsky enjoyed shopping in the city most of all.
From biking in Amsterdam to sightseeing in London, this year’s European trip gave students unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.