Dublin Days and Paris Nights: SOAR’s Epic European Adventure

By Izyan Nadeem

Staff Writer

Meet the Writer

What can come out of a field trip filled with 102 students, three countries, and a swirl of unimaginable sights to explore? For SOAR High School students from Lancaster and Palmdale, the answer was an undeniable, breathtaking journey through Dublin, London, and Paris. 

An international field trip packed not just with clothes, but with unforgettable memories — from centuries-old cathedrals glowing through stained glass windows to ancient landmarks steeped in history. Despite unexpected delays and minor hiccups, laughter echoed through the iconic streets of Europe. Led confidently by our expert tour guides — Allister, Fiona, and Kieran — the group explored the continent one bus ride, one boat ride, and one walk at a time.

Starting in Dublin, many students often agreed that they had had the best experience here rather than in more famous locations London and Paris. One student, Kaimebreyah Williams, described the quaint Irish town as the most welcoming of the three sites.“It was a very inclusive space and I enjoyed shopping every day,” she said.

Dublin, with its stunning scenery and serene atmosphere, was a joy for many to explore, throughout the two nights staying in the city students were able to enjoy a traditional beef stew, go to a shopping center filled with unique shops and food from a stocked vinyl store to an art gallery on the top floor. and lastly concluded their journey in Dublin with a fantastic dance off between SOAR Lancaster and Palmdale. 

Senior Jack Sammons, who represented SOAR Lancaster in this fierce dance off, was one of the trip's shining lights. Whether it be singing on the bus rides, or the puns for days, Jack said the most memorable part of the dance off was “I really enjoyed being able to represent SOAR Lancaster and show the other school that they weren’t messing with just anyone. The best part about it was when the crowd was cheering loudly and rooting for me to win! Their reaction to my moves boosted my confidence as a result.”

Ireland appreciated by many not just for Jacks iconic dance off but also for the places students were able to visit such as Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, which left a mark on many students and stood out as well for its unique souvenirs, paired with the views inside this special cathedral a tour of Ireland’s history was given within a small building but lead by an hilarious and charming guide named Cal. 

After Ireland, students boarded a ferry to London where students toured both Shakespeare’s famous home in Stratford-upon-Avon and that of his wife, Anne Hathaway. And, no, this is not Anne Hathaway of Devil Wears Prada fame. 

On day two of London, students packed into several well-known locations including Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, no royals could be seen as the Royal Family was at the Royal Ascot races. 

Mrs. Jefferson, one of several chaperones who traveled with her family, said that London was her favorite among the places visited because of all the history on display. There were a number of old monuments celebrating London’s history, architecture, and leaders.“I definitely want to come back and spend more time learning about London because it was such a beautiful landscape to take in,” she said.

With London finished, students took a bullet train into Paris. Sadly, the lateness of the train and an expected 30-minute delay on the tracks meant that students were too late to visit a planned trip to the Louvre Museum. The museum is famous for housing several noted works, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory at Samthorace.

Aside from the many tourist attractions, spending the trip with SOAR Palmdale was with no doubt an interesting opportunity to connect with students from our fellow SOAR campus and recent graduate Noor Hawamdeh experienced this first-hand stating“ I was skeptical at first of SOAR Palmdale but after rooming with a few girls they were actually pretty cool and I wish those girls the best senior year.”

Additionally, Noor said, “My favorite parts about the trip were being able to experience the Eiffel Tower, the Pubs in Dublin, and London's Big Ben with amazing teachers and staff who made it all possible.”  

The amazing teachers and staff who made this trip possible were the real stars and foundation of the journey from start to finish, from sleepless nights, to management of groups, and caring for the health of all students on this trip, their dedication and perseverance throughout this rollercoaster of a journey did not go unnoticed and we appreciate their hard work throughout Europe. Everyone had different opinions and highlights of the trip, whether it was admiration for the culture and beauty of Paris, the rich history and tradition of London, or the peaceful and inviting atmosphere of Dublin. Students from both campuses were able to take home memories that will last a lifetime, and with that, connected SOAR High School in a way that it has never been connected before —a bond that will only continue to grow and mature over the years to come.

For those interested in future tours students can talk to Ms. Roa, who is planning a Summer 2027 trip to South Korea and Japan that includes visits to museums, temples, and even a virtual arcade. Her email is broa@avhsd.org.