This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Students from the Realms of Inquiry, a private school in Salt Lake City, traveled to Costa Rica, Ecuador and Thailand, and returned with not only a better knowledge of the languages spoken, but also a sense of humanity.
Upper-grade students from the school travel abroad every year. Students who traveled to Costa Rica participated in a language-immersion program, in which they lived with host families and focused on mastering Spanish skills.
The Ecuadorian travelers spent time volunteering in the rain forest, while those who traveled to Thailand participated in cultural immersion, learning about the country and its people.
Ninth-grader Alyssa Bokovoy, 14, spent nearly a month in Thailand, and said she learned both good and sad lessons.
"The people were very nice, and there were a lot of good things," she said. "But the lessons we learned will be with us for the rest of our lives, and there was a lot of sadness we saw as well."
Bokovoy said she witnessed conditions of extreme poverty and was shocked at the number or prostitutes and abused children in Bangkok. She walked out of the orientation film at an elephant rescue sanctuary because it showed the abuse elephants suffer.
"The sanctuary was great, because they saved the elephants," Bokovoy said. "But I couldn't believe anyone would treat an animal that badly."
Junior Kate Hickam, 16, said she was inspired by her time in Thailand, where she spent one day creating lesson plans and teaching local students.
"The school was the most influential to me," Hickam said. "I've always wanted to be a teacher and after teaching these kids for the day, it made me realize I really can do anything."
During the trip, students recorded the sounds of the places they visited, which they combined with a photo and written report upon their return. Students presented their travel exhibits at the Salt Lake City library.
Junior Jaclyn Clark, 17, said her time in Thailand was refreshing.
"It was actually nice to get away from all the fast food," she said. "And I can't even find words to describe the elephant sanctuary. These animals had been abused, and this place gave them a safe environment."
Sophomore Isaac Kramer, 16, spent several weeks with fellow students traveling through Costa Rica. The group presented a slide show chronicling their travels, including hiking a volcano, and forests full of monkeys, snakes and sloths.
"I learned that Costa Rica was beautiful, and I really liked it," said Kramer. "It gave me a new insight into life."
About the Realms of Inquiry school
Realms of Inquiry is a private school in Salt Lake City, founded in 1972 as a school for creative and gifted students. The school includes a full-day curriculum in kindergarten through grade twelve, and a half-day preschool program. For more information visit http://www.realmsofinquiry.org, or call 801-467-5911.
Most memorable teacher
Most people have at least one teacher who stands out in memory. It could be the teacher who used love and understanding to encourage students, or the teacher who used tough love and consequences in the classroom.
Interested to know what effect teachers have had on local leaders?
Each week the Class Act page will feature one community leader's memory of a favorite teacher.
This week's Most Memorable Teacher quote comes from, Pastor Dave Bartelson, with the Potter's House Christian Center in West Valley City.
"Tom Quinlan, who was a pastor in Ogden, was one of many men who made a difference in my education and life," said Bartelson, "Basically he saw me for who I was and not for all the things I'd done wrong. Because of him, and a couple of other mentors, I've been able to give back to my community."