This past summer, the magnet senior class took their annual junior trip, common to all magnet students in the summer after eleventh grade. With stops in dream travel destinations such as Rome, Munich and Prague, the Class of 2025 lived out their European summer dreams. Sights such as the Trevi Fountain, Roman Colosseum, BMW museum, Lennon Wall and others—along with international delicacies including gelato, bratwurst and Chimney Cakes—created the ultimate pre-senior summer.
However, the seniors did not stand alone in their transnational travels. This year, NC’s magnet program also decided to take the now juniors and sophomores to Leadership Summit to Italy and Germany. With Education First Tours (EF Tours), the group of students aimed to solve water issues in society.
Typically, magnet trips involve copious sightseeing and educational tours that add to the curriculum of international studies. Yet, this leadership conference in Berlin, Germany involved three days of sessions and problem-solving tasks to further the leadership abilities of the attendees. The conference broke the attendees up into 100 randomly assigned teams and assigned each one to create a prototype of an invention that would help resolve specific concerns regarding water’s impact.
“My experience at the EF summit was very strange because I was put in a group with complete strangers and we had to work together to solve a problem. It definitely reminded me of the AP Seminar and I think even though it was scary, I was able to learn a lot of communication and leadership skills that made me think about how I approach my magnet classes,” magnet junior Avery Moore said.
The Leadership Conference took the usual magnet trip experience of sightseeing and learning about new cultures and added another layer to the international experience. By providing students with firsthand knowledge regarding water’s impact on society and teaching skills to help apply these concepts, EF Tours shaped the confidence and analytical skills of the attendants. The opportunity to take students on this Leadership Summit sparked excitement within the program, as it added another travel opportunity for the tenth and eleventh graders with the element of the conference. Not only did the trip allow new expeditions, but it also grew the students’ abilities to critically think and construct inventive ideas.
“Travel and leadership go hand in hand, especially in the context of our international studies program. When students travel, they’re pushed to grow in so many ways—getting a passport, managing paperwork, setting financial goals, and planning for the unexpected. Once overseas, they’re navigating entirely new cultures, languages, and environments. These challenges naturally build resilience, adaptability, and social-emotional skills, which are all key components of leadership,” AP Research teacher and Assistant Magnet Coordinator Dr. Elizabeth Jamison said.
Prior to the Leadership Conference in Berlin, however, the tenth and eleventh graders traveled through various cities in Italy. Stopping along Rome, Florence and Siena, the various sights truly immersed students into Italian culture. Specifically, the hike up Marmore Falls provided breathtaking views, water-soaked clothes and unforgettable memories.
One prime aspect of magnet trips results in the bonds formed and friendships created along the way. As the Class of 2025 spent ten days together in Italy, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic for their junior trip and the underclassmen students connected through their leadership tasks, camaraderie deepened immensely. Each student essentially lived with their classmates as they took on exciting experiences together such as flying on a plane, traveling to a new country or exploring famous sites.
Overall, the recent Leadership Summit brought fresh encounters for the students and teachers. While the magnet program will continue organizing the yearly junior trip for students, they hope circumstances will allow additional travel opportunities for the underclassmen as well. Through various cities, memories and activities, the international trip proved yet another success.
“One of the biggest reasons students choose North Cobb’s School for International Studies is the chance to travel and experience the world firsthand… This trip isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about diving into different cultures, making history come alive, and learning to navigate the world in ways that simply can’t be taught in a classroom. We believe these experiences are truly priceless, offering our students a perspective and set of skills they’ll carry with them for a lifetime,” Jamison said.
