8 The Norse Code
From Bigfork to
Leave Bigfork
in the Dust
Traveling is often seen as an expen-
sive leisure, but science proves other-
wise. More people are finding that “to
travel is to take a journey into your-
self” (Danny Kaye).
BY MAYA HARTIG
S ome who live in Bigfork,
Montana agree that the
summertime is the worst time
to do anything. Tourists tend to
crowd everything from Flathead
Lake to the local Harvest Foods
grocery store. It is for this reason
that traveling in a small town is
frowned upon; after seeing the
mess one’s mere adventures can
cause, no one wants to become
one of the nuisances. However,
traveling has many benefits for
high school students and should
be embraced by the community.
In 2013, a study from the Global
Commission on Aging and
Transamerica Center for Retire-
ment Studies concluded that 59%
of people plan to travel during
retirement. For teenagers, retire-
ment is certainly a ways away, and
the benefits of travel take time to
fully develop. Why not start the
memory-making journeys now?
One reason traveling is essential
to the developing human brain
Junior Kristen Hutz holds a cardboard sign
reading “ANYWHERE OR BUST.” Traveling can taking a trip to Europe. For 11 days,
be extremely beneficial for high school stu-
dents.
is the social and communication
skills it provides. By exploring
new places and meeting new
people, it expands the traveler’s
horizons exponentially. Learn-
ing to navigate foreign languages
helps the brain grow sharper.
Empathy is a topic that some
people have trouble understand-
ing at times, and the best way to
walk in someone else’s shoes is
through a week-long “vacay.” For
instance, by visiting Haiti, one
can more easily empathize with
the victims of the 2010 earth-
quake. This is why people who
visit the Anne Frank House in
Amsterdam feel that they are not
able to stomach it through the
end. Sometimes, empathy can
be overwhelming:
undertaking new cul-
tures, eating habits,
and activity helps
refresh the brain of
more colorful images.
Traveling gives indi-
viduals the chance
October 2017
the Big World
17 Bigfork High School students are making the long
journey to Europe for a hands-on learning experience
this spring. These students will embark upon many
neat adventures.
BY MEREDITH BEDFORD
T his spring of 2018, Bigfork
High School students are
their classroom will consist of
castles, coastlines, and cathedrals.
History teacher Stormy Taylor is
to try these new things, such as the head organizer for the trip.
more flavorful foods or traditional “The kids [will get] to see stuff
dances. that they will hear about for the
rest of their lives,” Taylor says, “It
is a cultural change and it opens
“Sometimes we are kids’ eyes wider...sometimes we
are so narrow in our [own] cul-
so narrow in our ture that when we go to another
culture you get to see people live
own culture that differently.”
Junior Hailey Boisvert is one of
Sophomore Ben Keller is hap-
pily partaking in the excursion
when we go to an- the
the
17 students planning to go on
trip.
to England, Ireland, Wales, and
Paris. Learn more about the
other culture, you “I have always loved to travel,”
Boisvert revealed, “and I have
significant benefits of this trip
and how you can help support
get to see people never
when
been
I found
out of the country so
out about the trip,
the kids who plan on going.
live differently.” I knew I had to take advantage of will be more expensive due to late
such a great opportunity.” enrollment. If you are not interest-
The 11 day excursion is com- ed in going on the trip but would
prised of six days in Ireland, two like to help support the kids who
days in London, as well as two are, then you can do your part by
days in Paris. Finally, the students purchasing a $10 raffle ticket from
will depart back home on the any of the travelers for a chance to
eleventh day. win a $500 Costco gift card. This
If you are interested in becoming would be the perfect gift just in
a part of this great travel group, it time for the holiday season.
is not too late. However, the cost The students will experience
ferry boat rides,
trips to the
birthplace of
Shakespeare,
and a cultural
awakening. As
for the rest of
us, we will get
an Instagram
feed filled with
incredible pho-
tographs.