Education Beyond the Classroom: March Break 2025
While March Break is often a time for students and staff to rest and recharge before taking on the final few months of the school year, at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), it’s also an opportunity to be a part of once-in-a-lifetime experiences through several experiential learning trips all over the world.
This year, students on three different trips travelled through seven countries, immersing themselves in the local culture and customs and enriching their experiences with history lessons, service, and community.
Learn more and check out photo galleries from all three March Break trips:
Business Studies – Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia
Twenty business students embarked on an unforgettable 13-day journey through Central Europe, exploring Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia.
“This trip gave our students the chance to step outside their comfort zones, develop independence, and build global awareness—exactly what we hope for in future-ready learners,” says Dr. Daniel Lumsden ’96, Community Engagement and Learning Lead.
The adventure began in Budapest, Hungary, where students explored both the Buda and Pest sides of the city. Highlights included visiting the parliament buildings, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Students gained insight into Hungarian history, from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to its Cold War past, and sampled local cuisine.
The group met with SMCS alumnus Jack Czarnota ’86, who spoke to the students about his career in London and current relations between the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
From Budapest, the group took a day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, where students walked through the historic old town, toured Bratislava Castle, and learned about the city’s unique position at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. They also had the pleasure of meeting a local restaurant owner who spoke to students about the restaurant industry in Slovakia post-COVID.
Next, the group traveled to Ljubljana, Slovenia, where they explored the vibrant capital of Ljubljana and the Predjama castle, Postojna Cave Park (200 feet below the earth’s surface), and discussed environmental sustainability and Slovenia’s role in the EU.
A surprise highlight was a day trip to Trieste, Italy. Located along the Adriatic Sea to give students a brief but impactful taste of Italian culture, architecture, and cuisine.
The group then travelled to Croatia, visiting Zagreb and Split and diving into the country’s mix of modern life and ancient history. They toured WWII Bunkers and visited the Chocolate Museum and the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Each day brought new experiences and opportunities for growth—from group reflections to spontaneous moments of cultural curiosity.
“This March Break trip was far more than a vacation—it was a transformative journey that will stay with our students for years to come,” says Lumsden.
Service Trip – Peru
Seven SMCS students and two staff members travelled to Peru for a nine-day tour and service project.
The group landed in Lima and had the opportunity to explore some Peruvian culture on their first day. They went on a walking tour of the Miraflores, visited the San Francisco monastery, and visited Lima Main Square.
From Lima, students and staff flew to Cusco, where they participated in a pottery making class, fed llamas, guanaco, alpacas, vicuñas, guinea pigs, and learned more about Peruvian textiles and how fabrics are made.
Day four saw the group board a train to Machu Picchu, where they explored the ancient site and received a lesson on its history.
Their service project encompassed the final days of the experience and was by far the most impactful on students. At a local school for girls, they helped with landscaping, greenhouse preparations, and even the construction of a classroom wall while learning about the community’s access to education and food and water scarcity.
“The service trip to Peru was an exceptional and humbling experience for us,” says Andrew Kiel ’09, Coordinator of Spiritual Life. “Our eyes were opened with the harsh reality of food and water scarcity in the world and the impact we can make on a local and global scale. David Lee ’94 and I were thoroughly impressed with how efficiently our students worked to make a difference for a local school for girls. We were able to landscape their school yard, create a portion of a retaining wall for their classroom, and refresh their greenhouse for fresh produce preparation.”
Volleyball Programme – Cuba
The SMCS volleyball programme travelled to Matanzas, Cuba, where they embarked on an eight-day training camp with members of the Cuban Junior National Team and under the guidance of Cuban National Team coaches. The Cuban players’ discipline, technical prowess, and relentless energy were inspiring, providing the team with invaluable lessons on and off the court. Each training session emphasized tactical awareness, ball control, and defensive resilience, profoundly impacting the student-athletes’ development.
“This trip to Cuba was more than just a training camp—it was a journey of growth, gratitude, and human connection,” says Andrew Kos, Coordinator of Athletic Life and Sr. Volleyball coach.
Beyond volleyball, the team immersed themselves in the country’s rich culture, exploring the Matanzas caves and historic streets of Havana.
Among the most memorable parts of the trip was their visit to the humanitarian project, Cascabelitos, an initiative that provides education, music training, and a sense of belonging to children previously living on Havana’s streets. The team spent the afternoon singing, dancing, and playing with children aged 4-17, sharing moments of pure joy and human connection. They also donated a large package of clothing and essential supplies.
“Competing against world-class athletes, immersing ourselves in Cuban culture, and engaging in heartfelt service through Cascabelitos transformed our boys into new men. They returned with a deeper appreciation for the power of sport to unite people, the importance of giving back, and the realization that the greatest impact we can have is through love. This experience will live in their hearts forever.”
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