This spring break, a group of Carroll County High School students experienced a world far beyond their small town as they explored the sights, sounds, and cultures of London and Paris. For some, it was their first time leaving the country and the memories they brought back were as vivid and diverse as the cities they visited.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” said junior Daihana Zacarias Franco. “I liked London more. The only part of Paris I really liked was seeing the Eiffel Tower. But in London, we had a lot of free time, and the architecture was so detailed. It felt alive.”
Led by teacher and advisor Cheri Mann, the students traveled with EF Tours for a packed week-long adventure. Their itinerary included major highlights like the Eiffel Tower, Windsor Castle, the Louvre, Canterbury Cathedral, and even a walk through the magical Diagon Alley replica from the Harry Potter universe.
“We landed in London early in the morning and went straight to Windsor,” recalled sophomore Landen Ramsey. “We were all so tired, but it was amazing to just jump right in.”
Landen admitted that Paris didn’t quite live up to the grandeur he expected. “I wasn’t too excited to see the Eiffel Tower; it was just what I thought it was, a giant pole of metal,” he said with a laugh. “Big Ben was definitely better.”
Caitlin Anderson, another traveler, was enchanted by a very different side of London. “Walking through Hyde Park was my favorite. There was this squirrel that came right up to us,” she said. “We rode bikes together as a group and the water tasted really clean. Plus, I ate so many crepes!”
While London stole the show for many students, Paris still offered unforgettable moments. Nathan Mazza, who had long dreamed of seeing the Mona Lisa, checked that goal off his bucket list at the Louvre. “It was really crowded, but worth it,” he said.
Cheri Mann explained London might have resonated more deeply with the students because they had more time there and a lot more freedom to explore. “In Paris, due to traffic, rain, and a poor bus experience, we missed some things, like the boat tour on the Seine and the Luxembourg Gardens. I think if we’d had the chance to see more, they could’ve fallen in love with Paris too.”
For those seeking quieter moments, Canterbury offered a peaceful change of pace. “It was a lot like London but smaller,” Landen said. “Still a lot to see, and people were friendlier than in Paris.”
Daihana noted a more grounded appreciation of Paris when visiting places connected to pop culture. “I wanted to see where they filmed the Netflix series Emily in Paris. I tracked locations on Google Maps and even saw one of the streets they filmed on when we were waiting for the bus,” she said.
In addition to sightseeing, students connected with travelers from other schools across the U.S. and even Canada. “I liked meeting new people. I made friends with two from Atlanta and one from Canada,” said Nathan.
The group also found joy in silly moments, like a spontaneous statue imitation contest at the Palace of Versailles. “We had a challenge where students had to mimic statues and the winners got little Eiffel Tower prizes,” said Mann. “Seeing the kids loosen up and enjoy themselves in ways they wouldn’t at home was fantastic.”
Despite a rushed schedule and a few hiccups, the students came away with broadened perspectives and lasting memories. Caitlin and Daihana both said they would now consider participating in an international exchange student program so this trip may just be the beginning of their travel adventures. “I’d absolutely recommend it,” Caitlin said. “Some of the other students are going to Germany and Switzerland next year. They’re living my dream going to Germany and Switzerland.”
Students currently in 8th-11th grades are eligible to attend the trip to Germany and Switzerland during spring break 2026.
