Latin Department Embarks on Annual Rome Trip

Students pose for a photo in Rome – photo credit: Carlton Ackerman

From November 19th to the 29th, a group of sixteen students and three teachers left the confines of the classroom to explore the ancient city of Rome. For students who have spent hours translating Latin texts and analyzing ancient history, this was no ordinary field trip; it was a journey through time.

Walls takes great pride in its Latin program, which is a popular choice among students. “In addition to learning about ancient societies and how they connect to our lives and language today, it’s a great place for intellectual exploration and also just fun,” Anna Mayer (‘25) stated. While some people may call Latin a “dead language,” small efforts like our classes here at Walls keep it alive. Mayer added, “Without Latin, the world wouldn’t be as we know it today.” Latin has shaped our language and understanding of the ancient world, influencing much of what these students have learned in school.

Students eagerly anticipated the chance to immerse themselves in a culture that felt both familiar and otherworldly. Being physically present in the places they had studied for years was a surreal experience. “Latin focuses a lot on Pompeii, and we [went] on a day trip there, so it [was] exciting to visit some places we’d read about,” Kayden Jensen (‘25) explained. “It’s just crazy that there’s a city that was demolished and is being rediscovered,” Mayer added. “But actually being able to see that is a whole new level of fascinating.”

Students explored iconic landmarks including the Roman Forum, Mount Vesuvius, and even biked along the historic Appian Way—all while taking in the breathtaking architecture of Rome. “I think one of my favorite parts of the trip was just being around people. A lot of the time when you’re on a guided tour, you get a lot of sights, but not much communication with locals. However, we had so much freedom to just wander around and actually talk to them,” added Niamh O’Donovan (‘25).

For many, this was their first time embarking on a school trip abroad. “One of my biggest issues with education is that what we’re learning is so disconnected from what is actually going on in the world,” Mayer stated. “So having the opportunity to go on a trip like this is one of the best ways to bring studies to life.”

Students at Walls are fortunate in this regard, as there are many opportunities for these kinds of trips. Regular classroom learning often falls short of encapsulating the complete picture. Fitting the "without walls" concept, the Rome trip provides a unique way to expand on topics learned in class, boosting education beyond any confines.

Rome promised to be a transformative experience for Walls’ Latin enthusiasts—and it did not disappoint. “I thought it was an amazing trip that I’m never going to forget,” Pablo Salazar (‘25) exclaimed.

However, this exciting trip came with its fair share of fatigue. “We arrived after an eight-hour flight and didn’t go to the hotel right away. Instead, we wandered around for five hours. I probably hadn’t slept for around thirty hours,” O’Donovan continued. “It was all fun, but we were so tired. We walked around 25,000 steps every single day. I loved it, but we were so exhausted that some illnesses started going around,” Mayer added.

Despite these hurdles, the popular consensus was that the Rome trip was a huge success, and it couldn’t have been without the guidance of the lovely teachers. “Mr. Ackerman, Ms. Brinley, and Mr. Davis all did a great job of organizing things while still giving us the independence to explore on our own,” Seojin Kim (‘25) shared. Overall, the Rome trip was a memory students will cherish for a lifetime.