As the weather warmed up, the sun shined longer and students were relieved of stress from academic commitments, Chargers took the opportunity to travel to different corners of the globe. Whether it be to reunite with family or simply venture out to explore new cultures and places, there was no shortage of new memories made.

“One of my travel destinations was Korea, and it was there that I got to meet some of my cousins for the first time,” senior Ellie Cheung said. “All of my mom’s side of the family was there, including one family that lives in Australia, and it was the first time we were all in one place together.”

Even when one’s intent of visiting places is to mainly see family, sightseeing tourist destinations is still a must.

“In Korea, I went to Jeju Island, a place filled with beautiful beaches and a lush countryside,” Cheung said. “In Singapore, there were more nature-based sites such as the Flower Dome, which was filled with colorful plants and succulents, and the Cloud Forest, which has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.”

Nature lovers were attracted to Earth’s alluring sceneries and traveled for the sole purpose of being able to view the world’s natural wonders.

“My dad wanted to see the greenery in Ireland, so that convinced us to go,” sophomore Olivia Erstling said. “One of the most memorable places was the Cliffs of Moher; it’s a photogenic place, and lots of movies were filmed there. There are multiple grassy cliffs, and over the edge you can see the ocean.”

However, not every location visited could boast refreshing clean air and water. While some sites were exceptionally picturesque, other areas have to deal with contamination and pollution.

“I visited South India, Chennai to see my relatives, but I disliked how polluted it was,” freshman Saran Muthuraman said. “There’s a lot of trash in the water. There’s also air pollution, mainly in Delhi. It affects the people, but they have no choice but to live with it.”

Of course, experiencing pollution is not just limited to people living in India. It is a problem that much of the world experiences, and aside from its more grave implications, it causes problems for tourists.

“Korea is very urban and polluted,” Cheung said. “You have to check the fine dust warning every morning to tell you if it is severe and to wear a mask, or to simply not go out.”

Regardless, summer serves as the perfect opportunity for students to take a breath in the midst of their hectic schedules, learn new things, spend quality time with loved ones and explore the world.

“Looking back, traveling has given me a deeper connection to Korea,” Cheung said. “It’s always refreshing to connect with your roots and experience the lifestyle of people you’re not always accustomed to.”