Mrs. Suzy Quinlan and a group of students enjoyed an amazing Winter Term trip together. She shared the highlights. “Our 9-day trip to South Korea and Japan was many things. Breakneck, cold, breathtaking, historic, educational, fun, exhausting, and memorable! We learned about South Korean and Japanese culture, we experienced the historic political climate in Seoul, we saw religious, cultural and STEM specific sights. We found many 7-11’s, learned how to cook a traditional South Korean dish and how to roll sushi. We saw visually mind-boggling sights at light displays in Seoul, at YomiuriLand while riding rollercoasters and at TeamLab in Tokyo. We saw Mt. Fuji up close as well as from our hotel rooms and from the Tokyo SkyTree at sunset. So many experiences that leave all of us who were fortunate enough to be able to participate in this trip with a lifetime of memories and new friends and so many inside jokes.”
Tenth grader Phillip Akin said, “My trip to South Korea and Japan offered a captivating view of two similar, yet distinct, Asian cultures. Amidst the vibrant—yet freezing—city of Seoul, I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace while also getting to make bibimbap, a traditional Korean dish consisting of rice, gochujang, and a medley of vegetables. We later toured the DMZ, and got to hike down the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which I found very interesting because my great-grandfather fought in the Korean War. In the heart of Tokyo, we went to the Meiji Shrine—a dedication to the deified spirits of the Meiji Emperor. But what I enjoyed most of our trip was the TeamLab Borderless, a high-tech art installation in Japan that questions what defines art. Overall, I’m thankful that I got to travel on this trip since it was my first time visiting Asia and hope to revisit.”
