Previous AP World History often say that the classes often emphasizes that the world has a lot of opportunities. When Ms. Jennifer Heimlich, Social Studies and AVID teacher, announced that the class would be traveling to Spain and Morocco over spring break, her class was very excited to hear that this emphasis would be coming alive.

“To travel abroad anywhere expands people’s worldview,” Heimlich said. “ For AP World students in particular, we are giving them a chance to learn about the Islamic cultures of southern Spain and expand that knowledge of the Islamic culture by going to Morocco.”

The AP World students will be landing in Madrid, Spain, where they will then stay for six days. Afterwards, they will go to Morocco for the final few days until they return on April 4th.

The AP World History class also took a trip to Rome and Florence Italy, 8 years ago to .

“It was an awesome trip,” Heimlich said. “We saw lots of different Roman ruins and art.”

Heimlich also said she expects the trip to Spain and Morocco to go just as successfully. A highlight of the trip will be learning about the impact of Islamic rule over the Spanish and Moroccan cultures.

“Spain was held under Islamic rule. We will get to see the various historic and current religions and cultures this brought.” Heimlich said.

Matthew Maldonado, junior, did not hesitate to sign up for the trip.

“When am I ever going to have an opportunity like this?” Maldonado said. “It’s a chance to see what’s [in other parts of the world].”

Maldonado is also preparing himself for the different food and atmosphere in Spain and Morocco.

“I’m going to be taking it easy a couple of days before the trip. I don’t want to be sore and tired when [the class] arrives.”

Some students are turning the trip down altogether due to the $3536 price tag, but others won’t let money get in the way of the class trip.

“Is making cuts and sacrifices [for the trip] worth it?” Maldonado said. “I say ‘Heck yeah.’ It’s a trip to Spain!”

Opportunities for fundraising are offered, like selling coffee through a company that helps small coffee farmers around the world, and partnering up with basket weavers in Ghana to sell their baskets here. Parents and students are also providing volunteering ideas.

Maldonado thinks this trip is going to be worth it. “You can’t be like ‘Hey, I want to go travel the world today,’ and go. This trip is an amazing chance for people who couldn’t usually go, to go.”