While most school memories are made in classrooms, some of Clark’s most unforgettable moments are happening thousands of miles away. Thanks to a group of teachers, students are trading textbooks for passports and experiencing history, language, and culture firsthand. Whether wandering the streets of Tokyo or eating gelato in Rome, these travel tours offer a once in a lifetime chance to turn the world into a classroom, one destination at a time.
Several teachers at Clark, including math teacher Violet Mardirosian, Spanish teacher Julie Ann Melville, and English teacher Narine Tatevosian, have been opening up a world of adventure through educational travel tours with companies like Education First (EF) and Explorica. Mrs. Mardirosian has taken numerous student groups abroad for the past 18 years.
These trips lend themselves to open new adventures for students and provide a potentially once in a lifetime opportunity for many teens. Clark students have traveled to countries such as England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan, with even more destinations on the horizon.
This summer, Mrs. Tatevosian is giving Explorica a try after previously using EF, in hopes of finding the best fit for future trips. These companies handle every detail, from flights and hotels to dinner reservations, and provide a tour director who guides the group from arrival to departure, taking the stress out of travel planning.
The daily schedules are jam packed with activities, but each day also has free time built into the schedule, to make the most out of the trip and explore as much as possible.
While many trips are composed of Clark students, some are blended with other schools. The 2024 Europe trip, for instance, included both Clark and Hoover students, while one of Mrs. Tatevosian’s trip to Switzerland included participants from as far as Idaho. Traveling with students from different backgrounds adds unique perspectives and creates a more enriching, well-rounded experience.
In March 2025, Mrs. Mardirosian traveled with a group of students during spring break on a week-long trip to Japan. The group visited Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and little cities, villages and towns in between. The tour directors and local guides helped foster a learning opportunity while concurrently experiencing new culture and experiences.
Some students were even able to take public transportation to neighboring cities to explore beyond the scheduled itinerary. Others chose to walk around, do some light shopping, visit temples, or enjoy the food.
“I loved Japan. It had a completely different culture than what I’ve been exposed to so far, and the food was amazing, especially the wagyu. We went to Tokyo Tower with the whole group. It was one of my favorite sites,” senior Eric Galoustian said. “The whole experience was unforgettable.”
This June, Mrs. Mardirosian will be leading a trip to Greece and Italy, while Mrs. Tatevosian will guide a group through England, France, and Italy. Information for both trips has been shared via email and Zoom meetings, but because the tours are not officially affiliated with Clark or the district, most students hear about them through word of mouth.
The overall process is very easy as long as all forms are completed on time. Teachers are great at reminding students of what is left to complete, which makes it even easier. While on tour, the teachers leading the group offer comfort to the parents back homeby sending updates and photos throughout the trip.
Opportunities like these trips elevate the high school experience and can open doors to lifelong friendships. The shared experience of different cultures with people from back home makes it more immersive and worthwhile. The trips also provide valuable lessons in independence and responsibility. From navigating metros to managing budgets for the whole trip, students are more prepared for adulthood than ever, while also creating memories that last a lifetime.
