On Wednesday, June 4, the three AP World Language classes (Chinese, French, and Spanish) came together for an “indoors field-trip.” Originally, the plan was to take a bus to the Verona Park and have a culturally diverse picnic there, but instead, the students picnicked at Verona High School on the grass area by the tennis courts. The purpose of this “field-trip”was to be able to explore the cultures of the other foreign languages offered at VHS. Many, if not all, of the students taking an AP Foreign Language have been taking the language for 4+ years. Therefore, they are very familiar with the culture of the language they practice, but have never really been introduced to the other languages that VHS students practice.

Betty Hou, the Chinese language teacher at VHS, had the idea for this field trip and after collaborating with the other language teachers, they came up with an agenda for it.

“All of the teachers thought it would be a great way for the students to get some insight into the other cultures. They also felt it would be a fun thing for the seniors, “almost like an end of the year, last get together with their classmates,”says Mrs. Hou.

The “field trip” consisted of a big picnic with Spanish style appetizers, a Chinese style entrée, and French pastries for dessert. The students got a little taste (pun intended) of the two other cultures they were less familiar with. Aside from the food, the students also got to enjoy some fun games and traditions from these cultures.

They were able to play the French version of Bocce ball, otherwise known as boule. For a glimpse of the Spanish culture, the students took turns breaking open a piñata and discovering many different types of Spanish candy inside. Chris Sweeney, an AP Chinese student, shared his ability to do TaiJi, pronounced ‘Tai Chi,’with the group.“After watching numerous YouTube videos and instructive tapes, I’ve picked up quite a lot of TaiJi. I love being able to show others what I’ve learned and teach those interested in it. It’s very relaxing,”he said.

Overall, the students really enjoyed this mini “field trip.”“My favorite part was eating the different foods,”one senior said. “I also thought it was organized very well; there was a lot for us to do and trying new things is always fun.”Maybe this “field trip”will become an annual event for the AP Language students in the future.