Spring Break - The Road Trip 2019 - CA Adventure

HAPPY EASTER!

Every year, I have the privilege to travel with my International Students from around the world. This year, we have to cancel the scheduled road trip in Spring 2020 because of the current outbreak of the COVID-19. I am sure that all my fellow students are staying home and safe. I truly miss my students and the fun we have on campus or on the road.

Since I am learning different kinds of technologies in my doctoral program, I decided to make it outmost to share my memories on my blog and SNS so I can review and share with you, my friends, and my family. I have used iMovie to make my very first video to share the pictures of “The Road Trip – Spring Break 2019 – California Adventure.” At the end of this blog. I hope you will like it.

In the Spring Break 2019, I took 40 international students (30 Santa Ana College and 10 Santiago Canyon College) and one staff from Santiago Canyon College with me and hit a road to explore the beautiful golden state – California. It was a 2 nights 3 days road trip to Northern California. We departed from our home (Santa Ana College) at 8 AM and began our Spring Break Adventure. We took the scenic route along the 99 Highway to the beautiful Yosemite National Park through miles of vineyards, orchards, and the fertile farmland of California.

Yosemite National Park was our first stop. The Spring made the Yosemite and its falls more vivid in colors, my International students and I were lucky to see the must-see 620 feet (189 m) the highest waterfall - Bridalveil Fall with double rainbows in it. It is the heavenly beauty that made us speechless. The El Capitan Rock and Tunnel View were awesome.

On the second day of our trip, we had a campus tour to UC Berkeley. Students had the opportunity to walk around the campus to check out one of their future transfer destinations.
We continued our trip to one of my favored cities – the City of San Francisco. I am amazed by this historical and fabulous city each time. Although we did not have the blue stay this time during our stay in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard St., Palace of Fine Arts made my students so excited. In the afternoon, we made our second stop for a campus tour to Sandford University. The historical building and the learning environment are truly the art of the state. My students are excited and picturing themselves in this peaceful learning environment.

We stop by the cute little Denmark town – Solvang that is a city in southern California’s Santa Ynez Valley. The Danish-style architecture and many wineries are well known. The Old Mission Santa Ines is an early-1800s Franciscan church that is so peaceful. We only stopover for lunch, so I did not have this cute place, but It was nice to have the opportunity for the international student to enjoy the architecture. If you have time, there are so many things that you can do here.

The last stop was Santa Barbara. Finally, the blue sky and the palm tree and the beautiful beaches made it more likely “Golden West Coast – California Coast”. We spent a peaceful moment and share precious time with each other on the beach. When I look at these young international students, it just reminded me of the precious time that I shared while study at Santa Ana College with my international classmates around the world. Although we have moved on of our life, the memories are still colorful, and it seems yesterday. I am sure these moments would be shared by generations.

We, international student, traveled thousands of miles to the US to obtain the cutting edge of knowledge and the mix of the diverse culture. The service and support make totally different outcomes of the experience. I am truly gradual that Santa Ana College has provided outstanding support for its International Student and made the International Student Office a home away from home and I am still part of it. Like mine, I wish the friendship all these students created will be last forever.

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”-Albert Camus