TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A select group of high school students are kicking off the new school year with a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

KGUN 9 joined the Tucson High Magnet Travel Club minutes before crossing the airport security line on TUS to begin its journey in the German capital, Berlin.

Finnegan King spent seven days exploring this bustling metropolis with his classmates. For him and his chaperone, THMS music teacher Martha Reed, one of the biggest highlights of the trip was soaking up the sights and sounds from cultural landmarks.

“I’ve been to Southern Germany, so it was very interesting to experience the different cultures in that part of the country,” Reed said.

“There was a stretch of land and there were two huge granite pillars that went up to the Soviet monument and it went all the way through. It was beautiful,” said Dr. King.

Being a school trip, the club visited famous museums and learned about Berlin’s history as a city and as the setting for major world events. During the rest of the seven-day vacation, the students met peers from other schools and countries and enjoyed international conferences on sustainability.

“Once we got to the actual conference portion,” said Reed, “the last three to four days of the trip were on their own trajectory, forming working groups with students from all over the world.”

Dr. King said these projects and conversations helped him put into perspective the challenges facing his hometown. “We were paired with a class in Missouri, whose[terrain]is completely swampy,” he said.

“They dug canals, not to keep water, but to remove it. It was an interesting way to see how resources were managed.”

King and Reid also said they enjoyed getting around the city using public transportation and well-designed bike lanes. This inspired them to think about how to apply design philosophies and technology to Tucson’s future roads and infrastructure, they said.

“There were bike paths everywhere,” King said. “Bicycles were constantly coming and going. It’s really nice that the capital isn’t overrun with cars.”

“In Arizona and the western United States, we are very auto-centric,” said Reid.
“Once[students]figured it out, yes. People can take this to work, to the park, to hikes, take it anywhere, any time of the day or night…it’s for them It’s an eye opener and I really hope it’ll inform the next generation of urban planners. “

Reed and travel clubs have previously traveled internationally by booking through companies like EF Tours. She said she is grateful to be able to share these eye-opening cultural experiences with her students.