As part of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) Frederick M. Supper Honors Program, 17 students traveled to France from May 11 to 22 to explore the themes of reverence and liberation through the lens of the nation’s history.
Inspired by the Classics
The trip was organized by the honors program’s Odysseus House, which is named after the hero of the epic poem “The Odyssey” by Virgil. The epic is the first classical work honors students are introduced to in their freshman year because it captures many elements of the personal journeys people make. With the spirit of the famous protagonist in mind, Odysseus House functions to expose students to travel, history, and culture. Every two years, the house leaders, PBA history professors Dr. Gary R. Poe and Dr. Elizabeth Stice, organize and chaperone a group of honors students on an international trip.
“I always believe that to actually place yourself in the place of study gives you a much richer understanding of things,” said Dr. Poe. “The sights and sounds, and even the smells, stick in your mind in ways just reading about a place cannot.”
Worship Through the Ages
Soraya Leon, a junior studying history, made a promise to herself when starting college to travel as much of the world as possible. One of her favorite parts of this trip was visiting France’s famous cathedrals and churches, including the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Saint-Denis, and Notre-Dame. Leon was amazed by the unique craftsmanship at each house of worship. The ornate detailing and architectural miracles of the time were apparent at every stop.
Leon’s favorite place of worship they toured was the abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel, an island off the coast of Normandy. At low tide, visitors can walk from the mainland to the town and abbey, whose foundations date back to the ninth century. At high tide, the pathway to the island is completely covered with water. The abbey is internationally known for its complex history with both powers of the state and the church. It also served as the inspiration for the castle from the Disney film “Tangled.”
“I was so amazed by the visit to the abbey, exploring the town, and seeing the vastness of the land at low tide that I am determined to come back and enjoy it all again one day,” said Leon.
The Price of Freedom
For Niko Sebellano, a junior studying accounting, a favorite part of the trip was seeing Normandy Beach, where, on June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed, starting the largest seaborne invasion in history to liberate the French from Nazi occupation. Sebellano was surprised by how different it was to walk the beach in person, compared to reading about it in books or seeing it in movies and documentaries. He was touched by how the locals had memorialized the soldiers who died that day through 9,238 white Latin crosses.
“I am an avid history buff, so being able to visit such important sights where great men died and fought for the freedoms we have today was quite astounding,” said Sebellano.
Journeying Together
Elizabeth Long, a junior studying dance, has dreamed about Paris since she was a little girl. She enjoyed the trip greatly, not only because it fulfilled years of anticipation, but also because she was able to travel with her professors and classmates. The companionship enriched the trip for Long every step of the way, whether it was a professor adding more context to a site they visited or just sharing a new French meal with a classmate.
Dr. Poe echoed this sentiment, saying he was greatly impressed by the way this group of students took care of each other. Some of them had never been out of the country before, but with the support of their old and new friends, they were able to adapt smoothly. The group bonded in a way that really showcased to Poe the power of travel and new experiences in bringing people together.
“Trips like this can give us fresh insights into the world, and because of this, we all become more human as we learn to appreciate these places and the insights that we gain,” said Dr. Poe.
To learn about PBA’s Frederick M. Supper Honors Program, visit here.
