Students Review Trip to Spain and France

Student Travel Review
Co-authored by students as part of
EdTerra’s Young Authors Program

Mrs. Ranjana Jangra
Principal
At B.K. Birla Public School, we believe that there is no substitute for ‘education through
action’ and that exploring places, people, cultures, economic opportunities, and technological
advancements through travel, complements and completes the educational experience.
This philosophy matches our endeavour to create responsible global citizens and dynamic
leaders by bringing the knowledge of the world to the classroom as well as encouraging
students to go out into the world. These two methods are critical to create the three pillars of
global citizenship based on empathy, understanding, and international collaboration.
In line with this mission, our students recently journeyed to Spain and France as a part of an
educational program. Our students visited several beautiful locations in these Mediterranean
countries. To augment the broader program, we selected the Young Authors Program, which
ensured students’ engagement and immersion. This Student Travel Review is an outcome
of this collaborative and exploratory module. It captures the entire journey in students’ own
words and photographs. It even showcases their learning from their active interaction with
two of the world’s most enigmatic nations.
I would also like to recognise the efforts of EdTerra Edventures, a company that is well
aware of co-curricular and extra-curricular goals and developmental needs of students.
We acknowledge the contribution of their staff, especially their on-journey educators. Their
professionalism made for an effortless, safe, and enriching travel experience for our students
and teachers.
Lastly, we extend a heartfelt thanks to the students, who participated in the program so
enthusiastically. Our willing learners had an enriching experience, the enduring benefits of
which they will reap all throughout their academic lives and careers. Each parent may feel
proud of this highly demonstrable publication that will keep reminding their wards of their
achievements and capabilities, all lifelong.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ranjana Jangra
Principal
B.K. Birla Public School
FROM
THE
PRINCIPAL’S
DESK
Dear reader,

Amita Bajaj
Editor,
Students Publication
An educational journey to foreign lands always induces learning and excitement among
young and inquisitive students. When the destination is as diverse as the Mediterranean
region, one can only imagine the myriad ways in which Indian students would absorb and
construct learning out of the many differences and similarities that mark the cultures and
people of India and Europe.
For EdTerra, an educational journey is about enabling students to construct knowledge
through a meaningful encounter with new cultures, without diluting their fun and excitement
or restricting their wandering, curious minds. EdTerra achieves this through its Program
Development Team (PDT), which comprises both Indian and international experts. The PDT
carefully designs culturally neutral projects that enable students to meaningfully observe,
record, and articulate their impressions. These tools are deployed through a process that
encourages teamwork and meaningful discussions besides recording observations through
digital means, all of which is finally synthesised into a media product that showcases the
ideas and learning of the students.
This Student Travel Review, ‘Spain & France’ is one such media product that captures the
journey of learning of the students of B.K. Birla Public School. This book serves as a window
into the marvels of Spain and France, especially valuable for those students, peers, and
parents who could not be a part of the program. It showcases the intellectual and creative
capacities of the students, the credit for which is rightfully due to their parents and school.
EdTerra Edventures would like to thank B.K. Birla Public School, for their efforts and support
which made this journey possible, with a special mention to the Principal, Mrs. Ranjana
Jangra, for guiding us. EdTerra would also like to thank the accompanying teachers for being
so dynamic and enthusiastic. Their energy made our work easy, and more importantly, made
for a more memorable journey for the students. We encourage you to read and re-live the
learning and adventures of these students through the words and photographs that follow.
Sincerely
Amita Bajaj
Editor, Students Publication
Dear reader,

OUR JOURNEY ..........................................10
INDEX
BARCELONA................................................18
MADRID......................................................26
PARIS:ATOURISTDELIGHT..........................42
EDTERRA MOMENTS ................................. 50
ABOUT THE AUTHORS ............................... 54
PARIS..........................................................34

Our journey began from Chhatrapaji Shivaji Maharaj International
Airport in Mumbai. After a few hours, we reached our destination.
On our first day in Madrid, we rested in our hotel. The following
day, we visited the Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the official
residence of the Spanish royal family. The Royal Palace is huge
and magnificent comprising over 3,000 rooms. We also visited
Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor or the chief square in Madrid.
Then we visited the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which has been
the home stadium of the Real Madrid football team since 1947.
We saw all the trophies won by the Real Madrid over a number of
years. We tried some local dishes that tasted delicious. However,
the food was very different from what we eat in our country.
Next day, we went to Barcelona via Zaragoza. We saw the
Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza. We learnt
a lot about the history and architecture of the church. We also
went to La Sagrada Família in Barcelona and we were astonished
to see its majestic sculptures. In the evening, we went to see a
Flamenco dance performance.
Our next destination was Paris where we saw the magnificent
Eiffel Tower. We enjoyed the view of the whole city from the top
of the Eiffel Tower. We also visited the Louvre Museum known for
its extensive historical artefacts and iconic paintings. We saw the
famous Mona Lisa, which was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. Then
we saw Arc de Triomphe, which is a monument built in honour of
the French soldiers.
Next day, we went to Disneyland where we enjoyed the rides and the
Disney parade. It was spectacular to see all the Disney characters
performing their signature steps. Some of the rides were really
thrilling. The feeling of enjoying together with our friends in a group
was amazing. Overall, it was a fun-filled experience. We thoroughly
enjoyed our educational trip to Spain and France.
OUR JOURNEY
Written & Photographed by: Aditya, Anjali, Dev, Kavin, Manya & Spandan

p
Observing the pyramid built in 1989 situated at the entrance of the Louvre
— it has the same proportions as the Great Pyramid of Giza
13

p
Excited to visit the Louvre located on the right bank of the Seine
River, which is known to contain nearly 380,000 works of art out of
which about 35,000 are open for public viewing
p
The façades, the columns, the naves, the towers, and the altar —
the magnificent architecture of La SagradaFamília impressed us all

p
We were inspired by the victory record of Real Madrid while walking
through the interactive exhibits at Santiago Bernabéu
15

p
About 324 m tall and weighing more than 10,000 tonnes, we were amazed to know that
the Eiffel Tower consists of 18,000 metallic parts bound by 2.5 million rivets

p
Thrilled to enter the world of Real Madrid’s ‘galacticos’ that include Luís
Figo, Di Stéfano, Zinedine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo
17

We left from Madrid to visit Zaragoza. Zaragoza is situated in
the north-eastern part of Spain. It is the capital of the Spanish
autonomous region of Aragón. Zaragoza is known for several
grand monuments including palaces and elaborate houses.
In Zaragoza, we went to visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady
of the Pillar. It is one of the largest and most important churches
in Spain, situated right next to the Ebro River. The church was
built in Baroque and neoclassical styles of architecture. It was
made of stone and brick with very impressive towers. The outer
parts of the domes were decorated with blue and white tiles. The
ceiling of the church was adorned with some beautiful paintings.
The building of the church has to be viewed from every angle
to capture its beauty. This place attracts a number of visitors.
People come here in large numbers to seek blessings and offer
their prayers.
From Zaragoza, we went to visit Barcelona. We visited La
Sagrada Família, which is a unique piece of architecture. Its
construction started back in 1882 but it still continues. The
church is representative of Antoni Gaudí’s vision and ideas, who
was extremely modern in his outlook. The construction of this
basilica is expected to complete by 2026, on the centenary of
Gaudi’s death.
Our next destination was Barrio Gótico (or the Gothic Quarter),
which is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Barcelona.
The narrow, little streets of the town provided an insight into
the history and culture of Spain. There were many shops lined
through the streets. We also visited Montjuïc, a beautiful hilltop
site in Barcelona. The atmosphere was very calm and peaceful.
The view of Barcelona from Montjuïc was quite splendid.
In the evening, we went to see a Flamenco performance where
the performers gracefully danced. Flamenco is one of the most
popular dance-forms of Spain. The show was really enchanting
and the performers wore beautiful costumes while dancing on
melodious music.
Thus, our trip to Barcelona was a fun-filled experience. We would
like to thank EdTerra for organising such a wonderful trip to Spain
and France.
BARCELONA
Written and Photographed by: Aditya, Anjali, Dev, Kavin, Manya & Spandan

p
The visit to Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza
provided a glimpse into the history of Christianity in Spain
21

p
Once the tallest of all 18 spires representing Jesus
Christ is built, the Sagrada Família will become the
world’s largest church
p
Amidst the tall columns in the interior of La Sagrada Família,
which stretch like tree branches upto the ceiling

p
At La Sagrada Família, we learnt that the structure gets its peculiar
sandy colour from the sandstone obtained from the Montjuïc Hill
23

p
Heading towards the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar to learn about
its ecclesiastical origins

p
The visit to La Sagrada Família enlightened us about Antoni Gaudí’s
grand vision and modern outlook
25

We started our first day in Madrid with a delicious breakfast.
Thereafter, all of us left to explore the streets of Madrid. The
streets of Madrid were very clean and the rules of the city were
very strict. We felt really happy while walking on the streets of
Madrid along with our friends.
We visited the Royal Palace of Madrid, the chief residence of
the Spanish king. The massive palace was characterised by
magnificent architecture and beautiful pieces of art. Essentially
built in Baroque style, the palace building also features certain
neoclassical elements. A tour of the palace provided an insight
into the lives of the royal residents. We saw that the palace had
more than 3,000 rooms but only a few of those were open to
visitors. The furniture in the palace was brought in from various
countries including China, France, Britain, and so on. The chief
dining room had a huge seating capacity. One of the rooms in the
palace showcased several marvellous pieces of metal-ware and
ceramic-ware.
We also visited the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, which are two
of the most important tourist attractions in Madrid. Puerta del
Sol literally means ‘gate of the Sun’ in Spanish. Being the central
square of Madrid, it is one of the busiest locations in Madrid. In
addition to this, it is known for its shops and a number of cultural
events and celebrations that take place here. Plaza Mayor is a
portico-lined square situated in the old part of the city. Its narrow
streets and alleys were reminiscent of the medieval culture and
lifestyle. Visiting these two destinations was very fascinating.
We also went to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. We visited a
museuminthestadiumwherewesawvarioustrophiesandjerseys
associated with the Real Madrid team. We clicked many pictures,
sat on the stadium seats, and also visited the merchandise store.
We really enjoyed visiting different places in Madrid.
Overall, our trip to Spain and France was a wholesome experience
that we would never be able to forget. We want to thank EdTerra
for organising such as amazing journey.
MADRID

p
Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid for a revelatory journey through the history
of Spain
29

p
We were impressed to see the masterpieces by Velázquez,
Goya, Federico Madrazo, and Caravaggio in the paintings
gallery of the Royal Palace of Madrid
p
Built at the site of Campo de Chamartín, the stands at Santiago
Bernabéu Stadium have a capacity of hosting more than 80,000
visitors

p
Enjoying a panoramic view of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium where four
UEFA Champions League finals have been played
31

p
A tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium provided a glimpse into the milestone
achievements of the Real Madrid Football Club

p
We were overwhelmed to see the iconic graffiti and emblematic objects associated
with Real Madrid at Tour Bernabéu
33

Paris, the capital of France, is situated in the northern part of the
country. We visited several places in the beautiful city of Paris.
In Paris, we first visited its most iconic landmark — Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower is 300 metres tall with three floors and it was
made in 1887. This tall structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel,
a French architect along with Stephen Sauvestre who was one of
Eiffel’s associates. It was the first building in the world to reach the
height of 300 metres. From the third floor, we could see the whole
of Paris. The view from the Eiffel Tower was so mesmerising that
everyone must see it at least once in their lifetimes.
We also visited the Louvre Museum. The Louvre Museum is home
to some of the most famous paintings in the world, which is why
it attracts a huge number of tourists. At the museum, we were
able to see the spectacular painting, Mona Lisa by Leonardo da
Vinci. The famous masterpiece was painted sometime between
1503 and 1519. We also saw Venus de Milo, an ancient Greek
statue, believed to represent Aphrodite or the legendary goddess
of beauty. Our visit to the Louvre Museum was a great experience.
We also visited the Arc de Triomphe, a monument built to
commemorate the courage of French soldiers. It was designed
by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin in 1806. The massive arch is
about 164 feet high and 148 metres wide. It stands at the centre
of the Place Charles de Gaulle inside the circular plaza from
which 12 prominent Parisian avenues branch out. It was built by
the French Emperor, Napoleon I to honour French victory in the
Battle of Austerlitz that took place in 1805.
The best part of our trip to Paris was visiting Disneyland. It
was earlier called Euro Disney Resort. The amusement park
is known for its adventurous rides. There are two theme-parks
in the complex. These are called Walt Disney Studios Park and
Disneyland Park. A large entertainment centre called Disney
Village is known for its huge variety of shops and restaurants. In
the evening, we watched the Disney parade in which our favourite
characters walked around, waved their hands, and performed their
favourite moves. The visit to Disneyland was really enjoyable. We
created some wonderful memories during our trip to Paris.
PARIS

p
Designed by I M Pei, we were awestruck by the grandeur of the futuristic glass
pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre
37

p
Observing the magnificent sculptures at the Louvre made us
realise why it is the most-visited art museum of the world
p
Amongst the numerous exhibits of the Egyptian Antiquities
curatorial department at the Louvre, we found a sculpture of the
Sphinx

p
Re-living the past times when the Louvre was a creative ‘retreat’ for
numerous artists, painters, and sculptors in the 17th century
39

p
The visit to Arc de Triomphe gave us an insight into French history,
especially the Napoleonic Wars

p
Learning the story of the origin and construction of the Eiffel Tower — from a
temporary structure to Paris’ best-known landmark
41

Paris is popularly known as ‘the City of Light’ because of its
illuminated buildings, bridges, and avenues. It is one of the most
popular cities in the world. Millions of tourists visit this city every
year. The city is widely known for its vibrant culture and iconic
buildings. The city is also famous among tourists for its cuisine,
especially macaroons, pastries, and croissants. Paris is believed
to be one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. We
visited several places in Paris all of which were really beautiful.
The chief tourist attraction in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. We were
mesmerised by its grand and rustic appearance.
We also visited the Louvre Museum in Paris. Not only is it
historically significant but it is also the largest art museum in the
world. Every year, more than 10 million people visit this museum.
The statues and sculptures displayed in the museum depict
the evolution of art over time. The world-famous masterpiece,
Mona Lisa created by the renowned painter, Leonardo da Vinci, is
displayed at the Louvre Museum. The painting became legendary
when it was robbed in 1911 only to be found later in 1913. When
the news spread that the painting was recovered, a large number
of people visited the museum.
We also went to Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most
beautiful avenues. Besides its splendid monuments, the street
is known for numerous shops and stores. We could spot many
luxury international brands there.
We also visited Disneyland Paris, which was an unforgettable
experience. It seemed as if our dreams had come alive. Disneyland
consists of two theme-parks: Walt Disney Studio and Disneyland.
There were many shops to buy gifts from. Moreover, there were
many multi-cuisine restaurants. The rides were extremely thrilling
and adventurous. We also watched the Disney parade and met
our favourite characters. The characters performed on the popular
tunes after which our day ended on a happy note.
Our visit to Paris was amazing. We learnt a lot during the trip and
had a great time with our friends.
PARIS: A Tourist Delight

p
We were delighted to join the mass of 15,000 people who visit the Louvre
every day
45

p
We were astonished to learn that the Eiffel Tower was built
within a record-breaking time of two years, two months, and five
days back in the 19th century

p
Excited to see the famed Mona Lisa housed in a bullet-proof room with its own
climate-controlled mechanism
47

p
Our visit to Paris or ‘The City of Light’ provided an insight into its rich
cultural traditions

p
We were surprised to learn that the Louvre has its own long history — it was originally
built as a fortress turned into a palace and artists’ hub before it was opened to the
public as a museum in 1793
49

Aditya Rajesh Raka
Hi, my name is Aditya Raka and I am
12 years old. I study in Class 8, B.K.
Birla Public School. The journey to
Spain and France was fantastic. I
loved visiting the Royal Palace of
Madrid, La Sagrada Família, and the
Louvre Museum. We also went for a
cruise. I loved dancing on the cruise,
especially on Hindi songs. Writing for
the photo-book was an interesting
experience. I learnt to speak some
Spanish and French words. We learnt
about the historical origins of most
of the places that we visited. We also
got to know about different styles
of architecture. I would like to thank
EdTerra because they provided us
with excellent services.
Anjali Mukesh Tiwary
Hi, my name is Anjali and I am 13
years old. I study in B.K. Birla Public
School. I am passionate about art and
travelling. Every time I go for a trip, I
make a journal to recount my travel
experiences. My trip to Spain and
France was a fun-filled experience.
Both the countries were very beautiful.
The Sagrada Família Church in
Barcelona was wonderful and I was
astonished to learn that the church
was being constructed since 1882. In
France, I liked visiting the Eiffel Tower
and Disneyland. I really enjoyed this
trip and I would like to go for more
trips with EdTerra Edventures.
Dev Chandrakant Sarode
Hello, I am Dev and I study in Class 10,
B.K. Birla Public School. I am 14 years
old. I enjoy cooking and singing. I loved
visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid,
which looked grand and beautiful. I
also liked visiting La Sagrada Família
because the church was peaceful and
mesmerising. I was astonished to
discover that the construction of the
church began in 1882 and it is still
going on. All of us enjoyed visiting
the Eiffel Tower together. One could
see the view of the whole city from
the Eiffel Tower. We also enjoyed
at Disneyland where the rides were
scary, yet fantastic. I would love to
travel with EdTerra again.

Kavin Chandrakant Sarode
My name is Kavin Sarode and I am 11
years old. Creating art is my hobby
and I love collecting key-chains. We
visited many places on this trip. The
Royal Palace of Madrid was majestic.
We also visited La Sagrada Família and
learnt about its historical importance.
The church is still under construction.
In Paris, I visited the Eiffel Tower. I
also visited the Louvre Museum to see
Mona Lisa and Venus De Milo’s statue.
In Paris, I liked Disneyland because
of its thrilling rides. We also watched
the Disney parade. I usually do not
enjoy travelling but this trip was a fun-
filled experience. I want to thank my
teachers who accompanied us.
Spandan Ganveer
Hola, my name is Spandan Ganveer.
I study in Class 10, B.K. Birla Public
School, Kalyan. I love playing football.
This trip to Spain and France was a
great experience because I learnt a
lot and met new people. All the places
that we visited looked different from
what we had ever seen. During our
trip, we visited the Santiago Bernabéu
Stadium, the home-ground of Real
Madrid. The roads were very clean
and all the places were properly
maintained. The people were very
friendly. I want to thank EdTerra for
arranging such a fantastic educational
tour.
57
Manya Shahdadpuri
Hi, my name is Manya Shahdadpuri
and I study in B.K. Birla Public School,
Kalyan. Before this trip, I never thought
that travelling would become one of
my hobbies. Our journey to Madrid,
Barcelona, and Paris was amazing.
This journey was fantastic because
I was travelling with my friends. We
enjoyed some wonderful mornings
and fun-filled evenings. Dancing on
the cruise was another awesome
experience. It was interesting to work
on the photo-book. We learnt some
Spanish words and met some new
people. This journey taught me to be
independent.

as most of the people were speaking
only in their local language although
our tour guide helped us in learning
some basic words spoken in Spain
and France. Overall, the trip was
splendid and the travel arrangements
made by EdTerra were excellent.
I am Revati Negi, working in B.K. Birla
Public School, Kalyan. I went on an
educational trip to Spain and France
along with six students. The tour was
impressive as well as knowledgeable.
We visited Madrid, Barcelona, and
Paris to witness some of the most
popular destinations including the
Royal Palace of Madrid, Santiago
Bernabéu Stadium, La Sagrada
Família, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum,
and Disneyland. I was extremely
amazed to see the cleanliness of
these cities. The climate was really
pleasant. The artistic work that we
saw in the Royal Palace of Madrid,
La Sagrada Família, and Louvre
Museum was marvellous. We
thoroughly enjoyed the Flamenco
dance-performance at Barcelona and
the cruise in the Mediterranean Sea.
Communication was a barrier for us
Revati Puran Singh Negi

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