As the student body returns from their seemingly short summer many students have interesting tales to tell of the places where some their summer adventures happened. While the furthest place some traveled was the couch for a Netflix binge, many students utilized the limited free time and traveled to a diversity of states and continents.

•Hannah Diasti, junior, journeyed to Cairo, Egypt.
Q: What are some of the highlights of your trip?
A: The highlight of my trip was definitely being able to see my family that lives in Egypt. I really got a chance to embrace my culture and find my identity, since I was constantly surrounded by people who have similar ideas and values as myself.
Q: What part of Egypt did you visit?
A: During my trip we went to the East Coast and stayed at the Red Sea. We also stayed in the capital city of Cairo, where we lived a city life for a few weeks.
Q: Coming back from the trip, is there anything that you found you had more appreciation for?
A: I definitely have a greater appreciation for the life and country that I was blessed into. It amazes me to see how different our lifestyles can be only half way around the globe. My eyes were really opened when I saw how the kids lived in some areas. I compared it to how I grew up as a child, and it motivates me to help them in all the ways that I can.
Q: What did you like most about Egypt?
A: The thing I liked most about Egypt was the amount of culture that the people have. Even through everything that has happened in their country, they are very proud people and embrace their culture in all aspects of their life.
Q: How did Egypt contrast or compare to Tampa, Florida?
A: In Cairo you really get the city feel, similar to New York City, with the hustle and bustle of the people and taxis everywhere. You don’t get to see that atmosphere in Tampa, but there are some cities that are similar to it. Another contrast is that in Tampa we are sitting on the bay, where as in Cairo you have deserts on the outskirts of the city, but it is not a sandy desert town like most people would picture it.
Q: What are some activities that you did while in Egypt?
A: While I was at the Red Sea I went deep sea scuba diving, which was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. In the main city of Cairo, I went to a lot of market festivals and restaurants, and of course, we visited the pyramids.
Q: Give an overall rating of your trip
A: Five stars out of five

•Maya Gonzalez, freshman, headed north to Hayward, Wisconsin for a camp like experience.
Q: What are some of the highlights of your trip?
A: Tubing on the lake (I went to a lake house), a bonfire that we had, and kayaking down the Nameckogen river.
Q: Coming back from the trip, is there anything that you found you had more appreciation for?
A: Its sounds kinda cheesy but my family because I was away from them the whole two weeks I was there.
Q: What did you like most about Wisconsin?
A: Probably being outside all the time on the lake.
Q: How did Wisconsin contrast or compare to Tampa, Florida?
A: The weather is [so] much nicer for one thing…and the people are a little more laid back and slow…and of course the cheese is better.

Q: What are some activities that you did while in Wisconsin?
A: Well it was kinda like camp. I mentioned I spent a lot of time on the lake wakeboarding, tubing and swimming and the fires and all. We also played a lot of volleyball outside, and went into town and pubs occasionally
Q: Give an overall rating of your trip.
A: I would really say 5, I [had] fun.

Lucas Carrillo, junior, voyaged to London, England to the minecraft convention: MineCon.
Q: What are some highlights of your trip?
A: The highlight of my trip was speaking at a panel at MineCon.
Q: What part of England did you visit?
A: London and the countryside.
Q: Coming back from the trip is there anything you found that you had more appreciation for?
A: Airline meals.
Q: What did you like most about London?
A: I don’t know, it wasn’t the place that was interesting but the people.
Q: How did London contrast or compare to Tampa, Florida?
A: …it’s more urban and lively.
Q: What are some activities that you did while in London?
A: I went to Oxford, and it was really fun. Of course we had MineCon Parties…it wasn’t a materialistic venture; it was more personal than London it was about us being together.
Q: Give an overall rating of your trip.
A: It would have to be a 4.5.