Spring Break Learning, Career Exploration, Service—and Fun
Students always welcome a change of tempo during spring break, but this year many students chose to keep learning—albeit not on campus. Principia-sponsored trips included elements outside what might be considered typical spring break travel.
Berlin International Field Experience
For students taking Jurisprudence, a philosophy class taught by Will Buchanan (C’10), Berlin provided a dynamic backdrop to better understand the enormous sociopolitical upheavals in 20th-century Germany—upheavals that reshaped politics, culture, art, and law. The field experience, optional for students enrolled in the class, included notable sights such as the Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe, German Resistance Memorial Center, and Topography of Terror Museum.
Students met with Suzanne Baer, a judge on the Federal Constitutional Court, along with Vincent-Immanuel Herr (C’13), who shared insights about his work as co-founder of the Institute of Europe, an organization dedicated to youth empowerment. Dubbing themselves #PrinInBerlin, the group planned a student-directed learning day in galleries and museums, and during the evenings they experienced contemporary German culture at a cinema, jazz club, and symphony concert.
The “Hollywood Abroad”
Hollywood producer David Lovegren (US’73, C’77) sponsored a weeklong externship program in Los Angeles to introduce current College students and recent alums to the film business and help them establish connections. Affectionately known as the “Hollywood Abroad,” the trip is now in its eighth year. The group kept a packed schedule with morning, noontime, and afternoon meetings or activities each day. Thanks to Lovegren’s extensive contacts, the group enjoyed access to top professionals at Dreamworks, Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal Pictures, and other entertainment businesses.
The main takeaway for the group—repeated many times by both professionals and Lovegren—was to utilize all the resources Principia offers to build a portfolio and showreel. All participants walked away with a list of contacts, including Principia alumni in key positions. “I urged them to stay in touch and build those relationships,” Lovegren remarked. “Principians have a lot to offer Hollywood, and I’m happy to help make that happen.”
Exploring “Bean Town”
On a trip to Boston, students bunked at junior Megan Selby’s home in Stoughton, Massachusetts, using it as a launching pad for tours of Longyear Museum, the Mary Baker Eddy Library, Christian Science Monitor newsroom, Christian Science Publishing Society, and three of the homes where Mary Baker Eddy lived. The group also met with the Christian Science Board of Directors. “It was a joy to see the students learn and grow during the trip,” says Residential/Community Educator (RCE) Dana Byquist (C’08), who led the group. “Students made deep connections as they conversed with their guides, and in daily debrief sessions they shared unique insights about events and activities.”
The group also took in many of the iconic sites in “Bean Town,” riding on the Duck Tour, walking the Freedom Trail, and attending a Bruins hockey game and a theatre performance. The last night of the trip, students joined alumni and friends from a variety of fields for Principia’s Boston networking event.
Reflections in Florida
Sun, surf, bright skies, and sandy beaches—some of the sought-after elements of stereotypical college spring breaks—were a definite bonus for students on the Reflections trip to Cape San Blas in Florida. But they weren’t the focus. Instead, the emphasis is embedded in the name “Reflections,” as explained by RCE Dan Schneider (C’01), who led the trip: “It’s about God's reflection reflecting on the beach! Most students use the solo time to practice the lost art of stillness and profound spiritual listening. They discover that awesome things happen while spending time alone in nature with a heart truly open to God’s guidance.”
Camping close to the beach, students came together in the evenings to cook, share gratitude, and enjoy s’mores around a campfire. Taking a break from their quiet time one day, the group volunteered at the nearby St. Joseph Bay Humane Society, playing with dogs and cats to help socialize them.
Athletic Team Travel
Principia’s spring athletic teams traveled during spring break for training, competition, team bonding, connecting with alumni, and, in some cases, volunteering. The men’s baseball team connected with a sizeable alumni cheering section in Lakeland, Florida. And while in Los Angeles, the women’s tennis team took some time away from the court to volunteer at Broadview, a Christian Science care facility.
Enjoy the slideshow below featuring photos from these spring break trips.