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Student Travel Review
Co-authored by students as part of
EdTerra’s Young Authors Program
Copyright © 2019
EdTerra Edventures Pvt. Ltd.
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or any means, electronic or mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of the copyright owner.
To know more about our student media projects,
please visit our website:
www.edterra.com
FROM THE DEPUTY DEAN’S DESK
At PSBB Group of Schools, 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 Italy as a part of an educational
program. Our students visited beautiful locations in this great European nation. 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 one 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 lifelong.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheela Rajendra
Deputy Dean
PSBB Group of Schools
An educational journey to foreign lands always induces learning and excitement among
young and inquisitive students. When the destination is as diverse as Italy, 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 Italy.
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, ‘Italy’ is one such media product that captures the journey of
learning of the students of PSBB Group of Schools. This book serves as a window into the
marvels of Italy, 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 PSBB Group of Schools, for their efforts and support
which made this journey possible, with a special mention to the Deputy Dean, Mrs. Sheela
Rajendra, 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, Student Publications
LETTER FROM EDTERRA
Contents
Our Journey..........................................05
Rome......................................................13
EdTerra Moments...............................45
About the Authors.............................49
Florence.................................................21
Venice....................................................29
Milan.......................................................37
OUR JOURNEY
OUR JOURNEY
Written and photographed by: Bharath, Hasikaa, Nayana, Nidhi, Nithila, Parvathi,
Sambhav, Saravana & Yashwini
When we started for our trip to Italy, we felt we
would miss our parents as we waved goodbye at
the airport, but the excitement overpowered our
sadness. Little did we know that the trip would
surpass all our expectations. From the glitz of
Milan to the bridges of Venice, from Florentine
art to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it was truly
insightful and enriching.
Our trip began from Milan where the locals were
really kind and polite. We saw Piazza del Duomo
from outside on the first day, and retired to bed
early. Next day, we went inside Piazza del Duomo
and saw many beautiful sculptures and paintings.
We then proceeded towards the magnificent
Sforza Castle. We also watched a light and sound
show on Leonardo da Vinci’s contribution to art.
Our next stop was Venice. At once, we were
reminded of play titled ‘The Merchant of Venice’
by William Shakespeare. One has to actually
visit Venice to appreciate its natural beauty and
rich heritage. We saw some beautiful pieces
of glassware made of Murano Glass, which
showcased a high level of craftsmanship.
Our next destination was Florence, and the
top view of the city was simply a scintillating
experience. Then we headed towards Basilica of
Santa Croce where the great painterMichelangelo
is buried. Our tour guide, Marco, took us around
the marvellous Duomo, a few museums, and
the houses in which Michelangelo and Leonardo
da Vinci lived. After a long and tiring day, we
headed back to our hotel. Next day, we visited
the Accademia Gallery famous for its sculptures
by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo
and Casa Buonarroti, a museum that echoes the
admiration of the artists for Classical art.
Next, we visited the famous LeaningTowerof Pisa.
This magnificent tower, about 57 m tall, looked
stunning against the open blue sky. We climbed
on to the top of the tower to get a panoramic
view. After clicking some photographs, we visited
Piazza del Duomo (or Cathedral Square). After an
hour of shopping, our drive to Rome began.
As soon as we reached Rome, we visited the
Vatican City. Our tour guide explained about the
artistic traditions of Italian masters such as
Michelangelo and Botticelli. We also visited the
Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. We visited the
Trevi Fountain and were impressed by its grandeur.
Next day, we went to see the Colosseum, one of
the Seven Wonders of the World.
A trip that began with a nervous departure from
Kamaraj International School came to a reluctant
return to India. Our trip to Italy was one of the
most fun-filled and educational journeys that we
have ever experienced. We would like to thank
EdTerra and our school for organising a student-
friendly and an interesting trip.
07
08
OUR JOURNEY
5 The Leaning Tower was made more famous by its flaw
rather than its intended design — an example of perfection
not being a virtue
OUR JOURNEY
09
5 Heading towards Piazza del Duomo in Milan to see one
of the world’s largest cathedrals
10
OUR JOURNEY
5 We learnt about the revival of classic architectural styles
during Renaissance while observing Florentine structures
OUR JOURNEY
11
A visit to the Vatican City provided a glimpse of
Renaissance and Baroque artistic traditions
Gathering for a group photograph at
the artificial island of Tronchetto in
the Venetian lagoon
5
5
OUR JOURNEY
12
Hard to believe that ancient Romans flooded the
Colosseum and fought naval wars with miniature
ships for recreation
We were impressed to see the beautiful architecture
of the Gothic masterpiece — Duomo di Milano
5
5
ROME
ROME
Written and photographed by: Aayushi, Akash, Dev, Mridula, Prateek, Shashank, Shifa,
Shreya & Vishesh
Rome, the capital of Italy, is known for its historic
monuments, trendy boutiques, and stately
palaces. We really enjoyed our bus-ride to Rome.
It took us almost four hours to reach there. On
our way, the view of the natural landscape was
spectacular. Wherever we looked, we saw only
trees, grasses, and plants.
We visited several places in Rome. First, we went
to the Vatican City where we saw a number
of museums. Several works of art that were
displayed there, belonged to the vast collection
amassed by the Popes overa numberof centuries.
These masterpieces included magnificent Roman
sculptures in addition to Renaissance works of
art. Our tour guide shared valuable information
about some important sculptures and paintings
that we saw there. After visiting the museum,
the tour guide took us to the border line of the
Vatican City that allows one to step into Italy
and the Vatican at the same time. It was a fun-
filled experience.
Next, we went to the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine
Chapel lies in the Apostolic Palace, the official
residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Originally, it
was known as the Cappella Magna (or the Great
Chapel). Today, it is the site of the Conclave, a
meeting where a new Pope is selected.The Sistine
Chapel is known for its marvellous frescos in its
interior, most particularly the ceiling adorned by
‘The Last Judgment’ created by Michelangelo.
We were awestruck by the display of excellent
paintings inside the church. After spending some
time in the Sistine Chapel, we went to eat some
delicious pastas and pizzas for lunch.
Then we headed towards the Spanish Steps,
a set of steps in Rome, climbing a steep slope
between Piazza Di Spagna at the base and Trinità
dei Monti Church at the top. Then we went for
shopping and headed towards the Trevi Fountain,
which is about 26 metres high and 49 metres
wide. It was built in Baroque style on top of an
ancient water source. On the way, we saw the
Tevere River (or Tiber River), the third longest
river in Italy.
The next day, we went to the Colosseum.
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian
Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre situated
in the centre of Rome. It is a massive stone
amphitheatre situated towards the east of the
Roman Forum.
Our trip to Italy was an unforgettable one. We
would like to thank EdTerra and our school for
giving us the opportunity of visiting this beautiful
country.
15
16
ROME
5 We were fascinated to see the large pine-cone statue in the
courtyard of the Vatican Museums, which symbolises human
enlightenment
ROME
17
5 A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica gave an insight into the artistic
genius of Italian masters that include Bramante, Raphael,
Michelangelo, Donato, Giacomo della Porta, and Maderno
18
ROME
5 We were excited to visit the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre
where legendary gladiatorial fights were staged in Ancient Rome
19
5
Although more than half of the Colosseum has been
destroyed by natural disasters and ransacked, we
were awed by its imposing structure
Our own ‘Roman Holiday’ could not
have been complete without visiting
Spanish Steps
ROME
5
20
Before entering the Vatican Museums,
which houses one of the largest art
collections from ancient times to the
Renaissance era
5
ROME
5
Designed by Bernini in the 17th century, we
were excited to visit Piazza San Pietro in Vatican
City, which is flanked by 284 columns and 88
pilasters in a colonnade of four rows
FLORENCE
FLORENCE
Written and photographed by: Aadithyaa, Ashwath, Harshini, Manav, Mitthali, Pranav,
Shreya, Sriniketh & Vishesh
Florence is the capital of Tuscany, an Italian
region in central Italy. It is fondly known as the
‘Athens of the Middle Ages’. It was a flourishing
centre of trade and commerce in the medieval
era. Most importantly, it has been regarded as
one of the main centres of Renaissance.
The narrow streets of Florence are full of
restaurants that serve gourmet pizzas and
pastas. The city is known for its local cuisine with
a variety of exclusive food-dishes. The favourite
ingredients used in most of the dishes include
bread and olive oil. Bread is used in many local
recipes as one of the chief constituents. Olive oil
is used for baking as well as in raw form.
Florence is also known for its statues and
sculptures. Some iconic masterpieces are
found in Piazza della Signoria, the main square
in Florence. Besides the Old Palace or Palazzo
della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery is situated
there, which was designed by Giorgio Vasari,
an Italian architect and includes masterpieces
by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci,
Raphael, Caravaggio, Gentileschi, and Tiziano.
The most impressive monument of Piazza
della Signoria is the Neptune Fountain
created by an Italian architect and sculptor
— Bartolomeo Ammannati. We also spotted
David by Michelangelo, a marvellous sculpture It
represents David and Goliath from the Holy Bible.
Interestingly, the one in the square is a replica
and the original resides in a museum called
Accademia Gallery, situated next to the Duomo.
Another prominent sculpture that we saw was
Perseus, the legendary founder of Hycenae and
of the Perseid dynasty with the Head of Medusa,
the monster. This statue represents the Greek
mythologicallegendofPerseusbeheadingMedusa.
The face of its sculptor, Cellini, can be seen on
the back side of Perseus’ helmet. This statue was
made in a single cast of bronze, which showcases
a high level of craftsmanship in the 16th century.
Other prominent sculptures include Medici Lions
by Fancelli and Vacca, The Equestrian Monument
of Cosimo I by Giambologna, and Hercules and
Cacus by Bandinelli.
Next, we visited the Duomo, which is an
impressive piece of architecture. Its red-tiled
cupola (ceiling) designed by Filippo Brunelleschi
is a Renaissance masterpiece. We also went to
the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the
oldest churches of Florence. The construction of
this huge structure began in mid-14th century in
typical Italian Gothic style.
Florence is also known for its historical legacy in
the fields of sports and music. Calcio Fiorentino,
an earlier form of football and rugby, originated
here. Florentine Camerata was an important
group of musical amateurs who met to discuss
literature, science, and the arts during the Late
Renaissance period. The scintillating beauty of
Florence has inspired a number of writers, artists,
and film-makers, a recent example of which is
Inferno by Dan Brown. Thus our visit to Florence
was extremely engaging as we learnt a lot about
the history and cultural life of Italy.
23
24
Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the Cathedral of Santa
Maria del Fiore with its bell tower and baptistery is a fine
example of Florentine architecture
FLORENCE
5
FLORENCE
25
Awed by the unique architecture of Florence’s Duomo characterised
by polychrome panels of green, white, and red marble
5
26
FLORENCE
Studying the influence of Renaissance on arts through the magnificent
sculptures displayed in the museums of Florence
5
27
We were amazed to see the bronze statue of
Michelangelo’s David amongst other allegorical
replicas at Piazza del Signoria
The sculptures displayed at Uffizi Gallery gave
an insight into socio-cultural developments that
took place over centuries
FLORENCE
5
5
28
Observing the exhibits inside the museums and
art galleries of Florence made us realise why is it
known as the ‘birthplace of the Renaissance’
FLORENCE
Visiting the museums of Palazzo Pitti gave
an insight into the rich history of Tuscany
region
5
5
VENICE
VENICE
Written and photographed by: Arnav, Harsh, Prateek, Purna, Ryka, Rajshri, Sathya,
Vidhyadhar & Vrithi
Venice is a very popular city in Italy. This fish-
shaped city is one of the main tourist attractions
in Europe. Although the city is sparsely populated,
about 20 million visitors come to visit Venice
each year. The city consists of about 118 islands
linked by numerous foot-bridges and boat-canals.
The city is known for Venice Carnival celebrated
for about two weeks every year. The festival is
famous for the ornate Venetian masks besides
its colourful parades, concerts, and markets.
Venezia Santa Lucia or simply, Venice Saint Lucia
is the central station of Venice, situated on the
Grand Canal. It serves as the chief terminus for
several important railway lines in Italy including
the Trenitalia and the Frecciarossa.
There are many places in Venice and it did not
take a long time to visit most of them. The chief
places that we visited in Venice include St. Mark’s
Square and the Basilica. Our adventurous journey
started with a boat-ride to St. Mark’s Square. In
St. Mark’s Square, we visited St. Mark’s Basilica
(or Basilica di San Marco), which is the cathedral
church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Venice, Northern Italy. Besides its ornamented
roof, the most spectacular feature of the church
was its gold ground mosaics that covered the
upper areas of its interior.
Our tour guide also showed us the bell tower of
the cathedral, which is about 99 metres high. It
is one of the most iconic landmarks of Venice.
Opposite the bell tower is situated the clock
tower, which unfortunately collapsed in 1902.The
Italian government then took charge to rebuild
it. Now, the replica of the clock tower stands in
place of the original one. At St. Mark’s Square,
we also went to Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece
of Gothic architecture. As the name suggests, it
was the palace of the Doge (or Duke), the highest
official of the Republic of Venice between the 8th
and 18th centuries. We also saw the Winged Lion
of St. Mark, a symbol of Venice, depicting a lion
with bird-like wings that represents the patron-
saint, St. Mark.
Wealsowitnessed aglass-blowingdemonstration
that Venice is most popular for. Glass-blowing
refers to the craft of making glass by blowing air
into semi-molten glass through a long tube. This
process is done with the help of a pipe, a marver,
and a pyrometre. The glass is moulded with the
help of silica gel mixed in it. Murano is a Venetian
island famous for producing intricate form of
glassware that is mostly hand-crafted.
Thus we were fascinated to see the beautiful
canals, bridges and stunning buildings of Venice.
It was one of our favourite destinations in Italy.
31
32
A visit to St. Mark’s Basilica enabled us to learn the history
of Catholicism and Venetian cultural legacy
VENICE
5
Amidst the striking buildings of Piazza San Marco, Venice’s chief
public square referred to as ‘Europe’s drawing room’ by Napoleon
VENICE
33
5
34
VENICE
Enjoying a gondola ride through the massive system of canals and
bridges of the ‘floating city’
5
35
We studies various aspects of Venetian
urban landscape while walking through its
calli, campi and campielli
VENICE
Looking at numerous structures of Piazza
San Marco, we learnt about the cultural and
architectural implications of Italian Renaissance
5
5
36
Right before embarking on a gondola to
explore the canals of Venice
While riding a gondola in Venice, we learnt the
story of its settlement — how it was formed by
consolidating about 118 islands
VENICE
5
5
MILAN
MILAN
Written and photographed by: Aadya, Adithya, Aishwarya, Anirudh, Deepti, Jayram,
Krithin, Vidur & Vishwam
Milan is known as one of the fashion capitals of
the world. It is a vast city known for its beautiful
landscape and friendly culture. It is one of the
best places where one can take a stroll to explore
its numerous structures. We started our tour of
this city with the Duomo (Cathedral).
As we walked into the Duomo, we could see
rows of pigeons in the sky fluttering their wings,
which looked beautiful. We saw the conduction
of the weekly mass in the cathedral. The hall of
the church was filled with the chanting of hymns
and the vibrant stained-glass paintings were a
true feast for the eyes. This once-in-a-lifetime
experience was followed by a delicious meal at
Sarla.
Later, we visited the Sforza Castle, which was an
extraordinary experience. The intricate details of
the sculptures baffled us. Sculpting, as an art, is
an intrinsic part of the Italian culture. The legacy
of Leonardo da Vinci is visible in many works
of art at the Duomo. We watched an audio-
visual presentation that beautifully captured
the contribution of Leonardo da Vinci and the
famous architect, Luca Beltrami. We understood
the power of human imagination when he
depicted blood circulating through human veins
in the form of tree’s branches. The veins were
represented in the form of roots and the tree
represented the heart.
The people of Milan are fond of playing and
watching football. Associazione Calcio Milan,
commonly known as A.C. Milan, is a professional
football club, which was founded in 1899. Serie A
is a professional league competition for football
clubs located at the top of the Italian football
league system. A chapter on Milan would remain
incomplete without talking about fashion. Since
late-20th century, Milan has been an important
centre of fashion and for taking the lead in
establishing popular trends. Because of its rich
history and vibrant culture, Milan has become
one of the most popular tourist places in the
world.
Our trip to Milan was wonderful. We captured
some memorable moments and gained immense
knowledge about Italian art, culture, and
traditions. We interacted with people, made
friends, and learnt to socialise as well. The
memories of our journey to Italy would remain
unforgettable.
39
40
At the centre of Piazza del Duomo, we were impressed to see the
equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first ruler of unified
Italy
MILAN
5
Studying fine attributes of Gothic architecture at Duomo di
Milano
MILAN
41
5
42
MILAN
A visit to Duomo di Milano provided an insight into the liturgical
traditions of the Roman Catholic Church
5
43
We were surprised to know that it took more than
six centuries to build Duomo di Milano
MILAN
5
Originally a fortress for the Houses of
Visconti and Sforza, we visited the museums
of Castello Sforzesco to understand Milan’s
civic history
5
44
After visiting the Milan Cathedral, we
looked forward to eating a typical Italian
meal
At Sforza Castle, we saw magnificent frescoes
and sculptures created by Leonardo da Vinci
and Michelangelo
MILAN
5
5
EDTERRA MOMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
OUR JOURNEY
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Bharathi Prithvi
S.Kumar
Hasikaa Ravindran
Nayana Ravindran
Hi, I am Bharathi Prithvi. Travel makes one modest. One realises that we occupy
a very small place in this world. Our adventure across Italy was an unforgettable
journey which taught us to be independent, interdependent, and creative. We visited
Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. On my trip, I met a group of friendly mates and
enjoyed their company. We really enjoyed each others’ company besides learning
about the history, economy, and geography of Italy. The trip was organised well by
EdTerra Edventures.
51
I am Hasikaa Ravindran and I study in Class 10. I am enthusiastic about reading and
playing basketball. I like to smile a lot and I am free-spirited. Only if I see, I learn.
EdTerra provided me a great opportunity to see and learn. Learning is not limited
to seeing places, experience also plays a very important role. Every church, street,
and monument in Italy provided me with a great experience in its own way. A new
experience creates a new memory and every new memory creates a new thought.
This trip gave me so many new memories and experiences. I am thankful and happy
to experience it all.
Hi, I am Nayana Ravindran and I study in Class 8. I love sports and adventure. We
went on an educational trip to Italy. We visited the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence,
Pisa, and Rome. All of us were expecting scorching weather conditions in Italy but the
weather was rather pleasant. I met many new people on this journey. I simply felt
ecstatic to touch the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I thoroughly enjoyed my journey that
was organised by EdTerra Edventures.
Nidhi Mukesh Jain
I am Nidhi Jain and I study in Class 8. I am extremely studious and I am passionate
about basketball. I love spending my time in philanthropic work besides reading
books. My other hobbies include hair-styling and designing clothes in sketches. I am
still discovering my talents such as writing poetry. I continuously work on honing my
skills and talents. I got an opportunity to travel to Italy, which helped me discover my
hidden fears and it was an insightful journey.
52
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
52
OUR JOURNEY
Nithila S. Moorthy
Parvathi Vasudevan
Saravanan
Karthikeyan
Hi, I am Nithila and I study in Class 9. I have an aptitude for reading, writing, and
dancing. I also engage myself in sports such as swimming. Travelling has always been
my forté. The idea of transcending my limitations and exploring my potential has
always excited me. During our trip to Italy, we created some wonderful memories.
From the picturesque views to the beautiful Venetian boats, from the splendid
architecture to the resonance of divinity in cathedrals, it was a truly exhilarating
experience. It gave me the fortitude to surmount obstacles, cope with all kinds of
situations, and interact with people having viewpoints.
Hi, I am Saravanan and I study in Class 8. My parents sponsored my trip to Italy and
I am very thankful to them for giving me this opportunity. During this trip, I did not
feel sad or lonely even for a minute because my friends were with me. We travelled to
Italy in an Emirates flight. This trip was not only educational but also enjoyable. One
of my favourite experiences was the gondola ride. This trip was awesome because of
our Journey Mentor, Raj Sir, who helped us visit every place that was planned without
skipping, even though we used to get late sometimes. Overall, it was a fabulous trip.
Hello, I am Parvathi Vasudevan and I study in Class 8. My hobbies include playing
Basketball and Swimming. The places that interested me the most during this trip
were Milan, Florence, and Rome. Learning a new language, getting to know more about
a different country along with its rich heritage and culture fuelled my curiosity and I
was keen on exploring more. I thank my parents, my school, and EdTerra Edventures
for organising this trip to Italy.
Yashwini Sampath
Hi, I am Yashwini and I study in Class 8. I love everything about art and music. A trip
to Italy was organised for us by our school along with EdTerra. The moment I heard
about a trip to Italy, I planned to go because I did not want to miss out such an
awesome opportunity. We visited five major cities of Italy. The fun-filled atmosphere
and friendly people really made us comfortable in a whole new setting. We visited the
Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, which left us in awe. We created several
unforgettable memories in this trip.
OUR JOURNEY
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sambhav
Hi, I am Sambhav and I study in Class 10. I am known for my debating and public
speaking skills. I am interested in writing too. When I got to know about EdTerra’s
Young Authors Program, I was really happy. I enjoyed writing about the magnificent
Sforza Castle during our educational trip to Italy. I was really excited to go and felt
lucky to get this amazing opportunity. I learnt a lot about Roman history and felt
privileged to share my experience. During the trip, I learnt to become independent
and responsible. I would like to thank EdTerra and our school for organising this trip
to Italy.
53
ROME
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Aayushi Raman
Akash K. S.
Dev C. Desai
Hi, I am Aayushi and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies are
dancing, sketching, and singing. Italy is one of the most beautiful countries that I
always wanted to visit for a long time. I was excited to travel to Italy. In this trip,
I learnt to become responsible and work as a team. I also made many new friends
in this trip. This journey also helped me appreciate the rich art and culture of Italy.
In short, I had a great time with my friends. This was an experience I will always
remember.
Hi, I am K.S. Akash and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. Our school, along
with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. It was an awesome experience
to travel and learn at the same time. I enjoyed visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and
the Colosseum in Rome. The natural landscape was visually appealing. This trip has
helped me boost my self-confidence while interacting with others. I learnt some
Italian words during my journey. It was an amazing trip and I hope to travel with
EdTerra again very soon.
I am Dev Chetan Desai, a 14-year old boy studying in PSBB Group of Schools. My
hobbies include playing cricket, chess, and listening to songs. EdTerra, along with our
school, organised an educational trip for us to Italy. My favourite cities of all were
Florence and Venice. This trip changed my approach towards people. It taught me
to be responsible, and also adapt to different cuisine, environment, and customs.
I would like to thank the Almighty, my parents, teachers, school and EdTerra for
making this journey possible. I will always cherish this trip.
Mridula Sriram
Hi, I am Mridula and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing
badminton. EdTerra Edventures recently took us to Italy, which covered the cities
of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. I liked visiting Venice, Milan, and Florence
the most. Some places were really beautiful, which made me appreciate the art and
culture of Italy. During the trip, I learnt the values of responsibility and punctuality.
I also made many new friends with whom my bonds grew stronger. I enjoyed my
journey to Italy to the fullest. This trip was really memorable.
54
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Prateek Jain
Shashank Sundar
55
Hi, my name is Prateek and I am studying in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play
cricket. We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We travelled by
an Emirates flight and a luxury bus in Rome. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice,
we enjoyed the gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing
demonstration. The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we
visited a museum called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day
and left for Pisa. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight
to watch. The whole trip was exciting and educational.
My name is Shashank Sundar and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. This was
my first experience to fly abroad with my friends, teachers, and EdTerra team. My
experience was great and my favourite place of visit was the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
My friends and other people made me feel very comfortable. Our tour guide, Marco
Sir, gave a detailed information about several places. This trip was a great learning
experience.
ROME
Shifa Kumar
Nothing is impossible in this world and EdTerra Edventures proved this to us. Hello,
I am Shifa Jayakumar and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing
basketball besides baking and dancing. EdTerra Edventures gave us the opportunity
of travelling to Italy. I was very excited about going on this trip. We visited various
cities, and I really liked Milan as I am a fashion enthusiast. We also went on a gondola
ride in Venice. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it looked magnificent.
Our Journey Mentor provided a great detail about each and every place we visited
.
Shreya Jain
Hi, I am Shreya Jain and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to Italy was a
huge success since it was a perfect blend of fun and learning. We visited the cities of
Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome, the capital city. We also visited the churches
of Vatican City. I really enjoyed visiting the city of Venice. The city was truly beautiful.
During the journey, I learnt so much about Italian culture and heritage. Overall, I loved
the educational trip to Italy and I would definitely recommend it to others.
ROME
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Vishesh Vinod Jain
I am Vishesh Jain, a 14-year old student living in Chennai. I study in PSBB Group of
Schools. I love to play cricket. This year, our school along with EdTerra planned a trip
to Italy. EdTerra helped me socialise and make new friends during this spectacular
journey to various cities in Italy. I started appreciating nature’s beauty and got
extensive exposure to Italian art, culture. and Roman history. Apart from visiting
different places and sightseeing, we documented our experiences for Young Authors
Program every night. I also bought some souvenirs which would help me relive the
awesome moments spent in Italy.
Akash K. S.
Dev C. Desai
Hi, I am K.S. Akash and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. Our school, along
with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. It was an awesome experience
to travel and learn at the same time. I enjoyed visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and
the Colosseum in Rome. The natural landscape was visually appealing. This trip has
helped me boost my self-confidence while interacting with others. I learnt some
Italian words during my journey. It was an amazing trip and I hope to travel with
EdTerra again very soon.
I am Dev Chetan Desai, a 14-year old boy studying in PSBB Group of Schools. My
hobbies include playing cricket, chess, and listening to songs. EdTerra organised an
educational trip for us to Italy. My favourite cities of all were Florence and Venice.
This trip changed my approach towards people, taught me to be responsible, and
also adapt to different cuisine, environment, and customs. I would like to thank the
Almighty, my parents, teachers, and EdTerra for making this journey possible. I will
cherish this trip for my whole life.
Mridula Sriram
Hi, I am Mridula and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing
badminton. EdTerra Edventures recently took us to Italy, which covered the cities
of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. I liked visiting Venice, Milan, and Florence
the most. Some places were really beautiful, which made me appreciate the art and
culture of Italy. On the trip, I learnt the values of responsibility and punctuality. I also
made many new friends with whom my bonds grew stronger. I enjoyed my journey to
Italy to the fullest. This trip was really memorable.
56
FLORENCE
Adhithyaa
Eeswaran
Aswath Krishna
Harshini Chillambi
I am Aadithyaa, a 14-year old student from PSBB Group of Schools. I like to learn
about technology, especially computers. I signed up for EdTerra’s trip to Italy because
I love to travel. I enjoyed seeing the Florentine sculptures besides the beautiful
buildings of Rome. The intricate sculptures by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci
inspired me to draw 3D art. The trip was an awesome break from long hours spent
at the study-desk. I would recommend this trip to students of art and history or a
person who is fond of travelling.
What can be more glorious than the opportunity to visit the beautiful land of Italy?
I am C. Harshini and I study in Class 9. I enjoy playing carrom, listening to music,
dancing, and solving puzzles. I love spending time with my family and friends. I like
to travel around the world. I also like to play basketball and I have represented my
school team in national tournaments. I am a part of my school’s athletics team.
Travelling to Italy was a wonderful experience. From visiting the Colosseum to sipping
a steamy cup of cappuccino, any corner of this country is a sight to behold. I thank
EdTerra and our school for organising such an enjoyable trip.
My name is Aswath Krishna. I study in Class 9. I like to play table tennis and basketball.
When I heard about the school trip to Italy for the first time, I got very excited and
impatient to reach there soon. This journey taught us a lot about Italy and its culture.
This trip was not only enjoyable but also educational and inspiring. The journey was
organised well by EdTerra along with our school. Our Journey Mentor was very kind. I
thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend this to everyone.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Manav Rathod
Hi, I am Manav Rathod and I will be promoted to Grade 9 the following month. I
like to play outdoor sports and listen to music. During the summer vacation this
year, our school along with EdTerra Edventures organised a trip to Italy. This was my
first international trip with friends. We ate delicious food throughout the journey.
During the trip, I made many new friends and gathered knowledge too. It was a
wonderful trip which helped me to understand several values such as teamwork and
discipline. This was an experience of a lifetime which could be termed as a tiring, but
an enjoyable one.
57
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mittali
Pranaav V. S.
Shreya Pandian
Hi, I am Mittali and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. This trip was an
amazing experience for all of us as it was a perfect ratio of fun and education. We
visited Milan, Venice, Florence, Vatican City, and Pisa. We got an opportunity to visit
one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum. We also saw the Leaning
Tower of Pisa. We interacted a lot with other fellow students. We got an opportunity
to learn a few Italian words, which would help us talk to the locals. This trip taught us
to be independent and also help others. Overall, it was an amazing experience.
I am Pranav and I currently live in Chennai. I am 13 years old. Italy is a very interesting
place to visit. The first impression that I got after stepping into this country was
amazing architecture, cleanliness, and politeness of the locals. We visited the Duomo
di Milano, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and various other monuments. I
learnt many interesting facts. Did you know that the Colosseum was built in a short
span of about eight years? Italy has a lesser number of citizens than tourists. I am
very grateful to EdTerra and our school for organising this trip and I hope to visit Italy
again soon.
Hi, I am Shreya and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. I am very fond of
playing basketball. I have a strong interest in creating innovative crafts and realistic
paintings. I also have a passionate desire for travelling. EdTerra Edventures arranged a
trip for us to five cities of Italy. This trip enabled me to appreciate the diverse culture
and rich traditions of Italy. Watching the glass-blowing technique and riding the
gondola were once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I was enthralled to see the beauty and
the intricacies of Italian architecture, especially the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Overall,
this Italian adventure was an ecstatic and enriching journey.
FLORENCE
Sriniketh Sriram
Hello, I am Sriniketh and I will be promoted to Class 10 next month. I have always been
entranced by art and when this opportunity came my way, I grabbed it immediately.
The amazing chance to shop in one of the fashion capitals, to see the beautiful art
and architecture, and understand the roots of Catholicism seemed too exciting. We
met many unique and amusing people such as Marco, our tour guide. During the
journey, I interacted with my juniors as well. This opportunity has not only given fresh
perspectives but also invaluable experiences. I wish to go on more educational trips
with EdTerra.
58
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Arnav Bajaj
Harsh Srivastava
59
Hi, I am Arnav and I study in Class 9. I love playing football and golf. EdTerra Edventures
and our school planned an educational trip for us to Italy, a place I have always wanted
to visit. We travelled to Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. From its culture and
language to fashion, I loved everything about the place. I loved visiting the cities
of Milan and Florence the most. I liked the way in which all the buildings and villas
were designed besides the architecture of the castles and churches. We travelled
everywhere by bus, and the scenery was fabulous. I would love to visit Italy again.
Hi, I am Harsh and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing football. I am a
gamer as well as a YouTuber. When we got the information about an educational
trip to Italy, I got super excited. We travelled to five cities in Italy: Venice, Milan,
Florence, Pisa, and Vatican City. We visited many places by foot, which was really
enjoyable. I loved visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Interacting with new people was
a wonderful experience. I learnt a few Italian words during my journey. I would like to
thank EdTerra for providing me a brilliant opportunity of going on an educational trip.
My trip was a memorable one.
VENICE
Prateek Jain
Hi, I am Prateek and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket.
We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We flew on an Emirates
flight and a luxury bus. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice, we went for a
gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration.
The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we visited a museum
called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day and left for Pisa. We
visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight to watch.
Purna Annamalai
Hi, my name is Purna and I study in Class 8. I love dancing and baking. My other
hobbies include photography and singing. EdTerra Edventures gave us an opportunity
to explore that beautiful country, Italy. My favourite place was Venice. It is certainly
a very beautiful city with rich culture and heritage. The Italians were very friendly. I
loved the Italian cuisine. The most interesting part of my journey was visiting the St.
Mark’s Square. I was amazed at the magnificence of the St. Mark’s Square. I also
enjoyed the exciting gondola ride and also visited the glass factory.
Ryka V. Asrani
Hi, I am Ryka Asrani. My areas of interest include backpacking, dancing, reading, and
swimming. This book is a true account of our travel experiences and I hope you enjoy
reading it. Our educational journey to Italy was amazing. When I first heard about
this tour, I was unsure of visiting at first, but later I decided to go. We visited five
cities in Italy including Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Pisa. I was really amazed
by the beauty of different places in Italy. My favourite place in this trip was Rome
because we got time for shopping besides exploring the place on our own. This trip
has made me a more adventurous person.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
60
Rajshri
Ravichandran
I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in
PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love
photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was an unique experience. We
visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed
the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit
all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip.
VENICE
Sathya Kaartick
Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing
basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months ago, when I first heard about a
trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the
beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next,
we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went
to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass
objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled
experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city.
Vidhyadhar
Sivakumar
Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking
photographs of the natural landscape besides people. I also like recording vlogs
and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile
or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive
environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip
was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Vrithi Arvind
61
Hello. I am Vrithi and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to read,
travel, bake, and meet new people. I do not have words to explain how I felt to
get the opportunity of visiting a beautiful country like Italy. Our educational trip
was organised by EdTerra Edventures. My favourite city was Venice because of its
picturesque buildings. We also enjoyed the gondola ride. The Italians love and respect
their culture and heritage. I hope you enjoy reading this book.
VENICE
Harsh Srivastava
Hi, I am Harsh and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing football. I am
a gamer as well as a YouTuber. When we got to know about a school trip to Italy,
I got super excited. We travelled to five cities in Italy: Venice, Milan, Florence, Pisa,
and Vatican City. We visited many places by foot, which was really enjoyable. I loved
visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Interacting with new people was a wonderful
experience. I learnt a few Italian words during my journey. I would like to thank
EdTerra for providing me a brilliant opportunity of going on an educational trip. My
trip was a memorable one.
Prateek Jain
Hi, I am Prateek and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket.
We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We travelled on an
Emirates flight and a luxury bus. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice, we went for
a gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration.
The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we visited a museum
called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day and left for Pisa. We
visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight to watch.
Purna Annamalai
Hi, my name is Purna and I study in Class 8. I love dancing and baking. My other
hobbies include photography and singing. EdTerra Edventures gave us an opportunity
to explore a beautiful country, Italy. My favourite place was Venice. It is certainly a
very beautiful city with rich culture and heritage. The Italians were very friendly. I
loved the Italian cuisine. The most interesting part of my journey, I have to say, was
visiting the St. Mark’s Square. I was amazed at how much effort was put in the
construction of just one building. I also enjoyed the amazing gondola ride and visiting
the glass factory.
Aadya Yalamanchi
Hi, I am Aadya and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to different cities of
Italy was a wonderful adventure. I love to sketch and most of the places in Italy were
picturesque, perfect for sketching. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and the
Vatican City. The trip to Italy also taught me a lot about its history. At every place,
I learnt how the locals respect and value their culture besides preserving important
historical buildings. This journey organised by EdTerra along with our school taught
me interpersonal skills and teamwork.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
62
Aadithya K.
I am a 14-year old student and I live in Chennai. I love playing outdoor games and
observing nature. Cricket fascinates me a lot. I also like playing video-games on
my PlayStation. The trip to Italy organised by EdTerra Edventures, a student travel
company, along with my school, was an exciting adventure. When I initially heard
about it, I was thrilled to go. We travelled in an Emirates flight, which is one of the
best airlines. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was really beautiful. It will
always remain a memorable trip.
MILAN
Aishwarya K.
I am Aishwarya and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love sketching in my free time.
I am also an admirer of nature because it fascinates me a lot. This year, our school,
along with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. As soon as I heard about
it, I was excited to travel there. We travelled in an Emirates flight, which was really
comfortable. We learnt about various architectural styles during our trip to Italy. I
enjoyed interacting with people. The trip was not only educational but also enjoyable.
I also bought souvenirs to re-live the beautiful memories of the days spent in Italy.
Anirudh D.
Hi, I am Anirudh and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I like to play cricket
and badminton. I loved travelling to all the places in Italy. I had never experienced
something like this before. It was simply extraordinary. We went to many places and
tasted varieties of food. My favourite destinations were Pisa, Florence, and Rome.
In Venice, we went on a gondola ride, which was a fun-filled experience. We learnt
a lot during our journey. I would like thank EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of
travelling to Italy.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Deepti V.
Jayaram Pattan
63
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Hi, I am V. Deepti, a 15-year old student from
PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to Italy, a country in southern Europe, was a very
memorable one. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. This trip was a mixture
of fun, adventure, and education. Even though I am so fond of travelling, this trip
made me curious and I explored the cities. During this trip, I made many new friends
and learnt how to socialise with people. It was my first trip abroad, which was simply
amazing.
I am P. Jayaram, a 14-year old student from PSBB Group of Schools. I like to play
basketball and win every game. It helps me to relax. When I heard that our school had
tied up with EdTerra Edventures to organise a trip to Italy for us, I got very excited. It
is not possible to visit every single place in the world, but one should grab the chance
when an enriching and fruitful experience comes your way. Every country is beautiful
in its own way. I like reading, therefore, I read and researched a lot about Italy. We
visited five cities and each city had its own charm, beauty, and importance. I went on
this trip because I wanted to know more about Roman mythology.
MILAN
Krithin Vijay
Hello, I am Krithin Vijay from Chennai. I study in PSBB Group of Schools. EdTerra
Edventures, a well-known student travel company, planned a trip to Italy for my
school. I was really excited to go. We travelled Emirates Air, which is one of the most
luxurious airlines. I liked visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the Colosseum.
The tour to the glass-making factory was truly educational. I would like to thank
EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of travelling to Italy.
Vidur R.
Hi, I am Vidur Ramasubramaniam and I study in Class 10. I am passionate about
reading and travelling. I like learning new languages and I am interested in watching
movies and studying history. Considering the fact that this was my first international
trip alone, I thoroughly enjoyed making friends and meeting new people in a colourful
country like Italy. Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and standing in the theatre
of Emperor Commodus were a magnificent treat for the eyes. This trip taught me to
become independent and piqued my interest in the history of churches.
Visvam
Srinivasan
Hi, I am Visvam Srinivasan and I study in Class 8. I am an avid football player. Drawing
is another of my hobbies. I was lucky to go on an amazing trip to Italy. Italy is a land
full of wonder. We travelled through five major cities including the Vatican City. During
the journey, I learnt to appreciate arts after observing Michelangelo and Leonardo da
Vinci’s works. Our Journey Mentor was very cooperative and helpful during our trip. I
would also like to thank my teachers and friends for helping me on this memorable
trip.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
64
MILAN
Rajshri
Ravichandran
I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in
PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love
photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was a unique experience. We
visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed
the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit
all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip.
Sathya Kaartick
Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing
basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months back, when I first heard about a
trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the
beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next,
we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went
to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass
objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled
experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city.
Vidhyadhar
Sivakumar
Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking
photographs of the natural landscape besides people around. I also like recording vlogs
and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile
or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive
environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip
was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
65
Gomathy Suresh
I went on this trip as an enthusiastic learner as I teach History. Our Journey Mentor,
Mr. Raj, was very helpful and patient with the students and teachers. Seeing is
believing, and this Italy trip has made me realise that. I was completely baffled to see
the huge Colosseum, which was an absolutely breathtaking moment for me. Some
other awe-inspiring moments were spent inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine
Chapel. I sincerely thank my school management for making this possible for me. I
would also like to thank EdTerra for organising this trip so well.
Padmashree
Ramesh
I am a Social Science teacher at PSBB Group of Schools. The warmth with which I
was greeted by our Journey Mentor was mind-blowing. It was a great experience to
travel in Italy — all that I had learnt or taught in my class was here, in front of my
eyes, much bigger and more beautiful than I had imagined. It was an experience I will
always cherish — the churches, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Leaning
Tower of Pisa — you name it and we were standing in front of it. I thank my school
management and all the heads for giving me this wonderful opportunity to experience
the beauty of nature and the monuments. The concern, care, and warmth at every
step shown by Mr. Raj is sincerely appreciated.
Padmavathi P.
I am a teacher at PSBB Group of Schools. The entire journey remains unforgettable as
it was truly an amazing experience. To step out of my comfort-zone and learn about
culture, art, architecture, and history, was enriching. Being an inquisitive learner, I
enjoyed every moment of our journey. I profusely thank EdTerra for organising this
eventful trip and the patience exhibited by Mr. Raj Banerjee is praiseworthy. Managing
a team of 45 students was indeed challenging, but it was coordinated very well. My
sincere thanks the PSBB management for giving us all an opportunity to explore a
beautiful part of the world.
TEACHERS
Anand Babu
I am Anand Babu, a Tamil language teacher in PSBB Group of Schools. I have travelled
to most parts of India. This journey to an international destination was really amazing.
Mr. Raj, our Journey Mentor, is very kind-hearted person. He ensured the safety of
the students as well as teachers. The arrangement of tour guides at each place was
brilliant. The places that we visited were really nice. The breathtaking view of the
Colosseum was the best part of our journey. The gondola ride in Venice was also
amazing. The trip was not only enjoyable, but informative too. It was very nice to see
the children learning to manage themselves in an environment drastically different
from home. The trip organised by EdTerra to Italy was indeed very delightful. This trip
shall remain etched in my heart forever.
Priya Menon
Hello, I am Priya Menon, a Social Science teacher from PSBB Group of Schools. This
trip to Italy has been very informative and memorable, particularly the history of
one of the world’s most famous ancient civilisations. The trip was organised well
by EdTerra’s Journey Mentor, Mr. Raj Banerjee. All the places, as mentioned in the
itinerary, were covered with the help of a certified tour guide. The experience of being
in these historical places was truly awe-inspiring and there is a lifetime of memories
that I have created during the last 10 days. I thank the school heads, my Principal
and Headmistress, and EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of going on this journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
66
TEACHERS
Rajshri
Ravichandran
I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in
PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love
photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was a unique experience. We
visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed
the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit
all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip.
Sathya Kaartick
Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing
basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months back, when I first heard about a
trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the
beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next,
we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went
to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass
objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled
experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city.
Vidhyadhar
Sivakumar
Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking
photographs of the natural landscape besides people around. I also like recording vlogs
and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile
or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive
environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip
was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.
Europe – Student Authored Book 2019

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Europe – Student Authored Book 2019

  • 1. Student Travel Review Co-authored by students as part of EdTerra’s Young Authors Program
  • 2. Copyright © 2019 EdTerra Edventures Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. To know more about our student media projects, please visit our website: www.edterra.com
  • 3.
  • 4. FROM THE DEPUTY DEAN’S DESK At PSBB Group of Schools, 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 Italy as a part of an educational program. Our students visited beautiful locations in this great European nation. 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 one 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 lifelong. Sincerely, Mrs. Sheela Rajendra Deputy Dean PSBB Group of Schools
  • 5. An educational journey to foreign lands always induces learning and excitement among young and inquisitive students. When the destination is as diverse as Italy, 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 Italy. 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, ‘Italy’ is one such media product that captures the journey of learning of the students of PSBB Group of Schools. This book serves as a window into the marvels of Italy, 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 PSBB Group of Schools, for their efforts and support which made this journey possible, with a special mention to the Deputy Dean, Mrs. Sheela Rajendra, 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, Student Publications LETTER FROM EDTERRA
  • 6.
  • 7. Contents Our Journey..........................................05 Rome......................................................13 EdTerra Moments...............................45 About the Authors.............................49 Florence.................................................21 Venice....................................................29 Milan.......................................................37
  • 8.
  • 10. OUR JOURNEY Written and photographed by: Bharath, Hasikaa, Nayana, Nidhi, Nithila, Parvathi, Sambhav, Saravana & Yashwini When we started for our trip to Italy, we felt we would miss our parents as we waved goodbye at the airport, but the excitement overpowered our sadness. Little did we know that the trip would surpass all our expectations. From the glitz of Milan to the bridges of Venice, from Florentine art to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it was truly insightful and enriching. Our trip began from Milan where the locals were really kind and polite. We saw Piazza del Duomo from outside on the first day, and retired to bed early. Next day, we went inside Piazza del Duomo and saw many beautiful sculptures and paintings. We then proceeded towards the magnificent Sforza Castle. We also watched a light and sound show on Leonardo da Vinci’s contribution to art. Our next stop was Venice. At once, we were reminded of play titled ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare. One has to actually visit Venice to appreciate its natural beauty and rich heritage. We saw some beautiful pieces of glassware made of Murano Glass, which showcased a high level of craftsmanship. Our next destination was Florence, and the top view of the city was simply a scintillating experience. Then we headed towards Basilica of Santa Croce where the great painterMichelangelo is buried. Our tour guide, Marco, took us around the marvellous Duomo, a few museums, and the houses in which Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci lived. After a long and tiring day, we headed back to our hotel. Next day, we visited the Accademia Gallery famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo and Casa Buonarroti, a museum that echoes the admiration of the artists for Classical art. Next, we visited the famous LeaningTowerof Pisa. This magnificent tower, about 57 m tall, looked stunning against the open blue sky. We climbed on to the top of the tower to get a panoramic view. After clicking some photographs, we visited Piazza del Duomo (or Cathedral Square). After an hour of shopping, our drive to Rome began. As soon as we reached Rome, we visited the Vatican City. Our tour guide explained about the artistic traditions of Italian masters such as Michelangelo and Botticelli. We also visited the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. We visited the Trevi Fountain and were impressed by its grandeur. Next day, we went to see the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A trip that began with a nervous departure from Kamaraj International School came to a reluctant return to India. Our trip to Italy was one of the most fun-filled and educational journeys that we have ever experienced. We would like to thank EdTerra and our school for organising a student- friendly and an interesting trip. 07
  • 11. 08 OUR JOURNEY 5 The Leaning Tower was made more famous by its flaw rather than its intended design — an example of perfection not being a virtue
  • 12. OUR JOURNEY 09 5 Heading towards Piazza del Duomo in Milan to see one of the world’s largest cathedrals
  • 13. 10 OUR JOURNEY 5 We learnt about the revival of classic architectural styles during Renaissance while observing Florentine structures
  • 14. OUR JOURNEY 11 A visit to the Vatican City provided a glimpse of Renaissance and Baroque artistic traditions Gathering for a group photograph at the artificial island of Tronchetto in the Venetian lagoon 5 5
  • 15. OUR JOURNEY 12 Hard to believe that ancient Romans flooded the Colosseum and fought naval wars with miniature ships for recreation We were impressed to see the beautiful architecture of the Gothic masterpiece — Duomo di Milano 5 5
  • 16.
  • 17. ROME
  • 18. ROME Written and photographed by: Aayushi, Akash, Dev, Mridula, Prateek, Shashank, Shifa, Shreya & Vishesh Rome, the capital of Italy, is known for its historic monuments, trendy boutiques, and stately palaces. We really enjoyed our bus-ride to Rome. It took us almost four hours to reach there. On our way, the view of the natural landscape was spectacular. Wherever we looked, we saw only trees, grasses, and plants. We visited several places in Rome. First, we went to the Vatican City where we saw a number of museums. Several works of art that were displayed there, belonged to the vast collection amassed by the Popes overa numberof centuries. These masterpieces included magnificent Roman sculptures in addition to Renaissance works of art. Our tour guide shared valuable information about some important sculptures and paintings that we saw there. After visiting the museum, the tour guide took us to the border line of the Vatican City that allows one to step into Italy and the Vatican at the same time. It was a fun- filled experience. Next, we went to the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel lies in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Originally, it was known as the Cappella Magna (or the Great Chapel). Today, it is the site of the Conclave, a meeting where a new Pope is selected.The Sistine Chapel is known for its marvellous frescos in its interior, most particularly the ceiling adorned by ‘The Last Judgment’ created by Michelangelo. We were awestruck by the display of excellent paintings inside the church. After spending some time in the Sistine Chapel, we went to eat some delicious pastas and pizzas for lunch. Then we headed towards the Spanish Steps, a set of steps in Rome, climbing a steep slope between Piazza Di Spagna at the base and Trinità dei Monti Church at the top. Then we went for shopping and headed towards the Trevi Fountain, which is about 26 metres high and 49 metres wide. It was built in Baroque style on top of an ancient water source. On the way, we saw the Tevere River (or Tiber River), the third longest river in Italy. The next day, we went to the Colosseum. The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre situated in the centre of Rome. It is a massive stone amphitheatre situated towards the east of the Roman Forum. Our trip to Italy was an unforgettable one. We would like to thank EdTerra and our school for giving us the opportunity of visiting this beautiful country. 15
  • 19. 16 ROME 5 We were fascinated to see the large pine-cone statue in the courtyard of the Vatican Museums, which symbolises human enlightenment
  • 20. ROME 17 5 A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica gave an insight into the artistic genius of Italian masters that include Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donato, Giacomo della Porta, and Maderno
  • 21. 18 ROME 5 We were excited to visit the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre where legendary gladiatorial fights were staged in Ancient Rome
  • 22. 19 5 Although more than half of the Colosseum has been destroyed by natural disasters and ransacked, we were awed by its imposing structure Our own ‘Roman Holiday’ could not have been complete without visiting Spanish Steps ROME 5
  • 23. 20 Before entering the Vatican Museums, which houses one of the largest art collections from ancient times to the Renaissance era 5 ROME 5 Designed by Bernini in the 17th century, we were excited to visit Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City, which is flanked by 284 columns and 88 pilasters in a colonnade of four rows
  • 24.
  • 26. FLORENCE Written and photographed by: Aadithyaa, Ashwath, Harshini, Manav, Mitthali, Pranav, Shreya, Sriniketh & Vishesh Florence is the capital of Tuscany, an Italian region in central Italy. It is fondly known as the ‘Athens of the Middle Ages’. It was a flourishing centre of trade and commerce in the medieval era. Most importantly, it has been regarded as one of the main centres of Renaissance. The narrow streets of Florence are full of restaurants that serve gourmet pizzas and pastas. The city is known for its local cuisine with a variety of exclusive food-dishes. The favourite ingredients used in most of the dishes include bread and olive oil. Bread is used in many local recipes as one of the chief constituents. Olive oil is used for baking as well as in raw form. Florence is also known for its statues and sculptures. Some iconic masterpieces are found in Piazza della Signoria, the main square in Florence. Besides the Old Palace or Palazzo della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery is situated there, which was designed by Giorgio Vasari, an Italian architect and includes masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Gentileschi, and Tiziano. The most impressive monument of Piazza della Signoria is the Neptune Fountain created by an Italian architect and sculptor — Bartolomeo Ammannati. We also spotted David by Michelangelo, a marvellous sculpture It represents David and Goliath from the Holy Bible. Interestingly, the one in the square is a replica and the original resides in a museum called Accademia Gallery, situated next to the Duomo. Another prominent sculpture that we saw was Perseus, the legendary founder of Hycenae and of the Perseid dynasty with the Head of Medusa, the monster. This statue represents the Greek mythologicallegendofPerseusbeheadingMedusa. The face of its sculptor, Cellini, can be seen on the back side of Perseus’ helmet. This statue was made in a single cast of bronze, which showcases a high level of craftsmanship in the 16th century. Other prominent sculptures include Medici Lions by Fancelli and Vacca, The Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I by Giambologna, and Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli. Next, we visited the Duomo, which is an impressive piece of architecture. Its red-tiled cupola (ceiling) designed by Filippo Brunelleschi is a Renaissance masterpiece. We also went to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the oldest churches of Florence. The construction of this huge structure began in mid-14th century in typical Italian Gothic style. Florence is also known for its historical legacy in the fields of sports and music. Calcio Fiorentino, an earlier form of football and rugby, originated here. Florentine Camerata was an important group of musical amateurs who met to discuss literature, science, and the arts during the Late Renaissance period. The scintillating beauty of Florence has inspired a number of writers, artists, and film-makers, a recent example of which is Inferno by Dan Brown. Thus our visit to Florence was extremely engaging as we learnt a lot about the history and cultural life of Italy. 23
  • 27. 24 Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its bell tower and baptistery is a fine example of Florentine architecture FLORENCE 5
  • 28. FLORENCE 25 Awed by the unique architecture of Florence’s Duomo characterised by polychrome panels of green, white, and red marble 5
  • 29. 26 FLORENCE Studying the influence of Renaissance on arts through the magnificent sculptures displayed in the museums of Florence 5
  • 30. 27 We were amazed to see the bronze statue of Michelangelo’s David amongst other allegorical replicas at Piazza del Signoria The sculptures displayed at Uffizi Gallery gave an insight into socio-cultural developments that took place over centuries FLORENCE 5 5
  • 31. 28 Observing the exhibits inside the museums and art galleries of Florence made us realise why is it known as the ‘birthplace of the Renaissance’ FLORENCE Visiting the museums of Palazzo Pitti gave an insight into the rich history of Tuscany region 5 5
  • 32.
  • 34. VENICE Written and photographed by: Arnav, Harsh, Prateek, Purna, Ryka, Rajshri, Sathya, Vidhyadhar & Vrithi Venice is a very popular city in Italy. This fish- shaped city is one of the main tourist attractions in Europe. Although the city is sparsely populated, about 20 million visitors come to visit Venice each year. The city consists of about 118 islands linked by numerous foot-bridges and boat-canals. The city is known for Venice Carnival celebrated for about two weeks every year. The festival is famous for the ornate Venetian masks besides its colourful parades, concerts, and markets. Venezia Santa Lucia or simply, Venice Saint Lucia is the central station of Venice, situated on the Grand Canal. It serves as the chief terminus for several important railway lines in Italy including the Trenitalia and the Frecciarossa. There are many places in Venice and it did not take a long time to visit most of them. The chief places that we visited in Venice include St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica. Our adventurous journey started with a boat-ride to St. Mark’s Square. In St. Mark’s Square, we visited St. Mark’s Basilica (or Basilica di San Marco), which is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, Northern Italy. Besides its ornamented roof, the most spectacular feature of the church was its gold ground mosaics that covered the upper areas of its interior. Our tour guide also showed us the bell tower of the cathedral, which is about 99 metres high. It is one of the most iconic landmarks of Venice. Opposite the bell tower is situated the clock tower, which unfortunately collapsed in 1902.The Italian government then took charge to rebuild it. Now, the replica of the clock tower stands in place of the original one. At St. Mark’s Square, we also went to Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. As the name suggests, it was the palace of the Doge (or Duke), the highest official of the Republic of Venice between the 8th and 18th centuries. We also saw the Winged Lion of St. Mark, a symbol of Venice, depicting a lion with bird-like wings that represents the patron- saint, St. Mark. Wealsowitnessed aglass-blowingdemonstration that Venice is most popular for. Glass-blowing refers to the craft of making glass by blowing air into semi-molten glass through a long tube. This process is done with the help of a pipe, a marver, and a pyrometre. The glass is moulded with the help of silica gel mixed in it. Murano is a Venetian island famous for producing intricate form of glassware that is mostly hand-crafted. Thus we were fascinated to see the beautiful canals, bridges and stunning buildings of Venice. It was one of our favourite destinations in Italy. 31
  • 35. 32 A visit to St. Mark’s Basilica enabled us to learn the history of Catholicism and Venetian cultural legacy VENICE 5
  • 36. Amidst the striking buildings of Piazza San Marco, Venice’s chief public square referred to as ‘Europe’s drawing room’ by Napoleon VENICE 33 5
  • 37. 34 VENICE Enjoying a gondola ride through the massive system of canals and bridges of the ‘floating city’ 5
  • 38. 35 We studies various aspects of Venetian urban landscape while walking through its calli, campi and campielli VENICE Looking at numerous structures of Piazza San Marco, we learnt about the cultural and architectural implications of Italian Renaissance 5 5
  • 39. 36 Right before embarking on a gondola to explore the canals of Venice While riding a gondola in Venice, we learnt the story of its settlement — how it was formed by consolidating about 118 islands VENICE 5 5
  • 40.
  • 41. MILAN
  • 42. MILAN Written and photographed by: Aadya, Adithya, Aishwarya, Anirudh, Deepti, Jayram, Krithin, Vidur & Vishwam Milan is known as one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is a vast city known for its beautiful landscape and friendly culture. It is one of the best places where one can take a stroll to explore its numerous structures. We started our tour of this city with the Duomo (Cathedral). As we walked into the Duomo, we could see rows of pigeons in the sky fluttering their wings, which looked beautiful. We saw the conduction of the weekly mass in the cathedral. The hall of the church was filled with the chanting of hymns and the vibrant stained-glass paintings were a true feast for the eyes. This once-in-a-lifetime experience was followed by a delicious meal at Sarla. Later, we visited the Sforza Castle, which was an extraordinary experience. The intricate details of the sculptures baffled us. Sculpting, as an art, is an intrinsic part of the Italian culture. The legacy of Leonardo da Vinci is visible in many works of art at the Duomo. We watched an audio- visual presentation that beautifully captured the contribution of Leonardo da Vinci and the famous architect, Luca Beltrami. We understood the power of human imagination when he depicted blood circulating through human veins in the form of tree’s branches. The veins were represented in the form of roots and the tree represented the heart. The people of Milan are fond of playing and watching football. Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly known as A.C. Milan, is a professional football club, which was founded in 1899. Serie A is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system. A chapter on Milan would remain incomplete without talking about fashion. Since late-20th century, Milan has been an important centre of fashion and for taking the lead in establishing popular trends. Because of its rich history and vibrant culture, Milan has become one of the most popular tourist places in the world. Our trip to Milan was wonderful. We captured some memorable moments and gained immense knowledge about Italian art, culture, and traditions. We interacted with people, made friends, and learnt to socialise as well. The memories of our journey to Italy would remain unforgettable. 39
  • 43. 40 At the centre of Piazza del Duomo, we were impressed to see the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first ruler of unified Italy MILAN 5
  • 44. Studying fine attributes of Gothic architecture at Duomo di Milano MILAN 41 5
  • 45. 42 MILAN A visit to Duomo di Milano provided an insight into the liturgical traditions of the Roman Catholic Church 5
  • 46. 43 We were surprised to know that it took more than six centuries to build Duomo di Milano MILAN 5 Originally a fortress for the Houses of Visconti and Sforza, we visited the museums of Castello Sforzesco to understand Milan’s civic history 5
  • 47. 44 After visiting the Milan Cathedral, we looked forward to eating a typical Italian meal At Sforza Castle, we saw magnificent frescoes and sculptures created by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo MILAN 5 5
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  • 54. OUR JOURNEY ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bharathi Prithvi S.Kumar Hasikaa Ravindran Nayana Ravindran Hi, I am Bharathi Prithvi. Travel makes one modest. One realises that we occupy a very small place in this world. Our adventure across Italy was an unforgettable journey which taught us to be independent, interdependent, and creative. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. On my trip, I met a group of friendly mates and enjoyed their company. We really enjoyed each others’ company besides learning about the history, economy, and geography of Italy. The trip was organised well by EdTerra Edventures. 51 I am Hasikaa Ravindran and I study in Class 10. I am enthusiastic about reading and playing basketball. I like to smile a lot and I am free-spirited. Only if I see, I learn. EdTerra provided me a great opportunity to see and learn. Learning is not limited to seeing places, experience also plays a very important role. Every church, street, and monument in Italy provided me with a great experience in its own way. A new experience creates a new memory and every new memory creates a new thought. This trip gave me so many new memories and experiences. I am thankful and happy to experience it all. Hi, I am Nayana Ravindran and I study in Class 8. I love sports and adventure. We went on an educational trip to Italy. We visited the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. All of us were expecting scorching weather conditions in Italy but the weather was rather pleasant. I met many new people on this journey. I simply felt ecstatic to touch the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I thoroughly enjoyed my journey that was organised by EdTerra Edventures. Nidhi Mukesh Jain I am Nidhi Jain and I study in Class 8. I am extremely studious and I am passionate about basketball. I love spending my time in philanthropic work besides reading books. My other hobbies include hair-styling and designing clothes in sketches. I am still discovering my talents such as writing poetry. I continuously work on honing my skills and talents. I got an opportunity to travel to Italy, which helped me discover my hidden fears and it was an insightful journey.
  • 55. 52 ABOUT THE AUTHORS 52 OUR JOURNEY Nithila S. Moorthy Parvathi Vasudevan Saravanan Karthikeyan Hi, I am Nithila and I study in Class 9. I have an aptitude for reading, writing, and dancing. I also engage myself in sports such as swimming. Travelling has always been my forté. The idea of transcending my limitations and exploring my potential has always excited me. During our trip to Italy, we created some wonderful memories. From the picturesque views to the beautiful Venetian boats, from the splendid architecture to the resonance of divinity in cathedrals, it was a truly exhilarating experience. It gave me the fortitude to surmount obstacles, cope with all kinds of situations, and interact with people having viewpoints. Hi, I am Saravanan and I study in Class 8. My parents sponsored my trip to Italy and I am very thankful to them for giving me this opportunity. During this trip, I did not feel sad or lonely even for a minute because my friends were with me. We travelled to Italy in an Emirates flight. This trip was not only educational but also enjoyable. One of my favourite experiences was the gondola ride. This trip was awesome because of our Journey Mentor, Raj Sir, who helped us visit every place that was planned without skipping, even though we used to get late sometimes. Overall, it was a fabulous trip. Hello, I am Parvathi Vasudevan and I study in Class 8. My hobbies include playing Basketball and Swimming. The places that interested me the most during this trip were Milan, Florence, and Rome. Learning a new language, getting to know more about a different country along with its rich heritage and culture fuelled my curiosity and I was keen on exploring more. I thank my parents, my school, and EdTerra Edventures for organising this trip to Italy. Yashwini Sampath Hi, I am Yashwini and I study in Class 8. I love everything about art and music. A trip to Italy was organised for us by our school along with EdTerra. The moment I heard about a trip to Italy, I planned to go because I did not want to miss out such an awesome opportunity. We visited five major cities of Italy. The fun-filled atmosphere and friendly people really made us comfortable in a whole new setting. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, which left us in awe. We created several unforgettable memories in this trip.
  • 56. OUR JOURNEY ABOUT THE AUTHORS Sambhav Hi, I am Sambhav and I study in Class 10. I am known for my debating and public speaking skills. I am interested in writing too. When I got to know about EdTerra’s Young Authors Program, I was really happy. I enjoyed writing about the magnificent Sforza Castle during our educational trip to Italy. I was really excited to go and felt lucky to get this amazing opportunity. I learnt a lot about Roman history and felt privileged to share my experience. During the trip, I learnt to become independent and responsible. I would like to thank EdTerra and our school for organising this trip to Italy. 53
  • 57. ROME ABOUT THE AUTHORS Aayushi Raman Akash K. S. Dev C. Desai Hi, I am Aayushi and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies are dancing, sketching, and singing. Italy is one of the most beautiful countries that I always wanted to visit for a long time. I was excited to travel to Italy. In this trip, I learnt to become responsible and work as a team. I also made many new friends in this trip. This journey also helped me appreciate the rich art and culture of Italy. In short, I had a great time with my friends. This was an experience I will always remember. Hi, I am K.S. Akash and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. Our school, along with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. It was an awesome experience to travel and learn at the same time. I enjoyed visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum in Rome. The natural landscape was visually appealing. This trip has helped me boost my self-confidence while interacting with others. I learnt some Italian words during my journey. It was an amazing trip and I hope to travel with EdTerra again very soon. I am Dev Chetan Desai, a 14-year old boy studying in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include playing cricket, chess, and listening to songs. EdTerra, along with our school, organised an educational trip for us to Italy. My favourite cities of all were Florence and Venice. This trip changed my approach towards people. It taught me to be responsible, and also adapt to different cuisine, environment, and customs. I would like to thank the Almighty, my parents, teachers, school and EdTerra for making this journey possible. I will always cherish this trip. Mridula Sriram Hi, I am Mridula and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing badminton. EdTerra Edventures recently took us to Italy, which covered the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. I liked visiting Venice, Milan, and Florence the most. Some places were really beautiful, which made me appreciate the art and culture of Italy. During the trip, I learnt the values of responsibility and punctuality. I also made many new friends with whom my bonds grew stronger. I enjoyed my journey to Italy to the fullest. This trip was really memorable. 54
  • 58. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Prateek Jain Shashank Sundar 55 Hi, my name is Prateek and I am studying in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket. We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We travelled by an Emirates flight and a luxury bus in Rome. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice, we enjoyed the gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration. The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we visited a museum called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day and left for Pisa. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight to watch. The whole trip was exciting and educational. My name is Shashank Sundar and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. This was my first experience to fly abroad with my friends, teachers, and EdTerra team. My experience was great and my favourite place of visit was the Leaning Tower of Pisa. My friends and other people made me feel very comfortable. Our tour guide, Marco Sir, gave a detailed information about several places. This trip was a great learning experience. ROME Shifa Kumar Nothing is impossible in this world and EdTerra Edventures proved this to us. Hello, I am Shifa Jayakumar and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing basketball besides baking and dancing. EdTerra Edventures gave us the opportunity of travelling to Italy. I was very excited about going on this trip. We visited various cities, and I really liked Milan as I am a fashion enthusiast. We also went on a gondola ride in Venice. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it looked magnificent. Our Journey Mentor provided a great detail about each and every place we visited . Shreya Jain Hi, I am Shreya Jain and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to Italy was a huge success since it was a perfect blend of fun and learning. We visited the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome, the capital city. We also visited the churches of Vatican City. I really enjoyed visiting the city of Venice. The city was truly beautiful. During the journey, I learnt so much about Italian culture and heritage. Overall, I loved the educational trip to Italy and I would definitely recommend it to others.
  • 59. ROME ABOUT THE AUTHORS Vishesh Vinod Jain I am Vishesh Jain, a 14-year old student living in Chennai. I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket. This year, our school along with EdTerra planned a trip to Italy. EdTerra helped me socialise and make new friends during this spectacular journey to various cities in Italy. I started appreciating nature’s beauty and got extensive exposure to Italian art, culture. and Roman history. Apart from visiting different places and sightseeing, we documented our experiences for Young Authors Program every night. I also bought some souvenirs which would help me relive the awesome moments spent in Italy. Akash K. S. Dev C. Desai Hi, I am K.S. Akash and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. Our school, along with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. It was an awesome experience to travel and learn at the same time. I enjoyed visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum in Rome. The natural landscape was visually appealing. This trip has helped me boost my self-confidence while interacting with others. I learnt some Italian words during my journey. It was an amazing trip and I hope to travel with EdTerra again very soon. I am Dev Chetan Desai, a 14-year old boy studying in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include playing cricket, chess, and listening to songs. EdTerra organised an educational trip for us to Italy. My favourite cities of all were Florence and Venice. This trip changed my approach towards people, taught me to be responsible, and also adapt to different cuisine, environment, and customs. I would like to thank the Almighty, my parents, teachers, and EdTerra for making this journey possible. I will cherish this trip for my whole life. Mridula Sriram Hi, I am Mridula and I study in Class 10, PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing badminton. EdTerra Edventures recently took us to Italy, which covered the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. I liked visiting Venice, Milan, and Florence the most. Some places were really beautiful, which made me appreciate the art and culture of Italy. On the trip, I learnt the values of responsibility and punctuality. I also made many new friends with whom my bonds grew stronger. I enjoyed my journey to Italy to the fullest. This trip was really memorable. 56
  • 60. FLORENCE Adhithyaa Eeswaran Aswath Krishna Harshini Chillambi I am Aadithyaa, a 14-year old student from PSBB Group of Schools. I like to learn about technology, especially computers. I signed up for EdTerra’s trip to Italy because I love to travel. I enjoyed seeing the Florentine sculptures besides the beautiful buildings of Rome. The intricate sculptures by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci inspired me to draw 3D art. The trip was an awesome break from long hours spent at the study-desk. I would recommend this trip to students of art and history or a person who is fond of travelling. What can be more glorious than the opportunity to visit the beautiful land of Italy? I am C. Harshini and I study in Class 9. I enjoy playing carrom, listening to music, dancing, and solving puzzles. I love spending time with my family and friends. I like to travel around the world. I also like to play basketball and I have represented my school team in national tournaments. I am a part of my school’s athletics team. Travelling to Italy was a wonderful experience. From visiting the Colosseum to sipping a steamy cup of cappuccino, any corner of this country is a sight to behold. I thank EdTerra and our school for organising such an enjoyable trip. My name is Aswath Krishna. I study in Class 9. I like to play table tennis and basketball. When I heard about the school trip to Italy for the first time, I got very excited and impatient to reach there soon. This journey taught us a lot about Italy and its culture. This trip was not only enjoyable but also educational and inspiring. The journey was organised well by EdTerra along with our school. Our Journey Mentor was very kind. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend this to everyone. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Manav Rathod Hi, I am Manav Rathod and I will be promoted to Grade 9 the following month. I like to play outdoor sports and listen to music. During the summer vacation this year, our school along with EdTerra Edventures organised a trip to Italy. This was my first international trip with friends. We ate delicious food throughout the journey. During the trip, I made many new friends and gathered knowledge too. It was a wonderful trip which helped me to understand several values such as teamwork and discipline. This was an experience of a lifetime which could be termed as a tiring, but an enjoyable one. 57
  • 61. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Mittali Pranaav V. S. Shreya Pandian Hi, I am Mittali and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. This trip was an amazing experience for all of us as it was a perfect ratio of fun and education. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, Vatican City, and Pisa. We got an opportunity to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum. We also saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We interacted a lot with other fellow students. We got an opportunity to learn a few Italian words, which would help us talk to the locals. This trip taught us to be independent and also help others. Overall, it was an amazing experience. I am Pranav and I currently live in Chennai. I am 13 years old. Italy is a very interesting place to visit. The first impression that I got after stepping into this country was amazing architecture, cleanliness, and politeness of the locals. We visited the Duomo di Milano, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and various other monuments. I learnt many interesting facts. Did you know that the Colosseum was built in a short span of about eight years? Italy has a lesser number of citizens than tourists. I am very grateful to EdTerra and our school for organising this trip and I hope to visit Italy again soon. Hi, I am Shreya and I study in Class 8, PSBB Group of Schools. I am very fond of playing basketball. I have a strong interest in creating innovative crafts and realistic paintings. I also have a passionate desire for travelling. EdTerra Edventures arranged a trip for us to five cities of Italy. This trip enabled me to appreciate the diverse culture and rich traditions of Italy. Watching the glass-blowing technique and riding the gondola were once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I was enthralled to see the beauty and the intricacies of Italian architecture, especially the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Overall, this Italian adventure was an ecstatic and enriching journey. FLORENCE Sriniketh Sriram Hello, I am Sriniketh and I will be promoted to Class 10 next month. I have always been entranced by art and when this opportunity came my way, I grabbed it immediately. The amazing chance to shop in one of the fashion capitals, to see the beautiful art and architecture, and understand the roots of Catholicism seemed too exciting. We met many unique and amusing people such as Marco, our tour guide. During the journey, I interacted with my juniors as well. This opportunity has not only given fresh perspectives but also invaluable experiences. I wish to go on more educational trips with EdTerra. 58
  • 62. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Arnav Bajaj Harsh Srivastava 59 Hi, I am Arnav and I study in Class 9. I love playing football and golf. EdTerra Edventures and our school planned an educational trip for us to Italy, a place I have always wanted to visit. We travelled to Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. From its culture and language to fashion, I loved everything about the place. I loved visiting the cities of Milan and Florence the most. I liked the way in which all the buildings and villas were designed besides the architecture of the castles and churches. We travelled everywhere by bus, and the scenery was fabulous. I would love to visit Italy again. Hi, I am Harsh and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing football. I am a gamer as well as a YouTuber. When we got the information about an educational trip to Italy, I got super excited. We travelled to five cities in Italy: Venice, Milan, Florence, Pisa, and Vatican City. We visited many places by foot, which was really enjoyable. I loved visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Interacting with new people was a wonderful experience. I learnt a few Italian words during my journey. I would like to thank EdTerra for providing me a brilliant opportunity of going on an educational trip. My trip was a memorable one. VENICE Prateek Jain Hi, I am Prateek and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket. We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We flew on an Emirates flight and a luxury bus. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice, we went for a gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration. The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we visited a museum called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day and left for Pisa. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight to watch. Purna Annamalai Hi, my name is Purna and I study in Class 8. I love dancing and baking. My other hobbies include photography and singing. EdTerra Edventures gave us an opportunity to explore that beautiful country, Italy. My favourite place was Venice. It is certainly a very beautiful city with rich culture and heritage. The Italians were very friendly. I loved the Italian cuisine. The most interesting part of my journey was visiting the St. Mark’s Square. I was amazed at the magnificence of the St. Mark’s Square. I also enjoyed the exciting gondola ride and also visited the glass factory.
  • 63. Ryka V. Asrani Hi, I am Ryka Asrani. My areas of interest include backpacking, dancing, reading, and swimming. This book is a true account of our travel experiences and I hope you enjoy reading it. Our educational journey to Italy was amazing. When I first heard about this tour, I was unsure of visiting at first, but later I decided to go. We visited five cities in Italy including Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Pisa. I was really amazed by the beauty of different places in Italy. My favourite place in this trip was Rome because we got time for shopping besides exploring the place on our own. This trip has made me a more adventurous person. ABOUT THE AUTHORS 60 Rajshri Ravichandran I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was an unique experience. We visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip. VENICE Sathya Kaartick Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months ago, when I first heard about a trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next, we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city. Vidhyadhar Sivakumar Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking photographs of the natural landscape besides people. I also like recording vlogs and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.
  • 64. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Vrithi Arvind 61 Hello. I am Vrithi and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to read, travel, bake, and meet new people. I do not have words to explain how I felt to get the opportunity of visiting a beautiful country like Italy. Our educational trip was organised by EdTerra Edventures. My favourite city was Venice because of its picturesque buildings. We also enjoyed the gondola ride. The Italians love and respect their culture and heritage. I hope you enjoy reading this book. VENICE Harsh Srivastava Hi, I am Harsh and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love playing football. I am a gamer as well as a YouTuber. When we got to know about a school trip to Italy, I got super excited. We travelled to five cities in Italy: Venice, Milan, Florence, Pisa, and Vatican City. We visited many places by foot, which was really enjoyable. I loved visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Interacting with new people was a wonderful experience. I learnt a few Italian words during my journey. I would like to thank EdTerra for providing me a brilliant opportunity of going on an educational trip. My trip was a memorable one. Prateek Jain Hi, I am Prateek and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I love to play cricket. We recently went on a trip to Italy and visited five of its cities. We travelled on an Emirates flight and a luxury bus. We visited the Duomo di Milano. In Venice, we went for a gondola ride, visited Doge’s Palace, and witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration. The hotel in Venice was very nice and comfortable. In Florence, we visited a museum called Casa Buonarroti. We checked out of our hotel the next day and left for Pisa. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was a mesmerising sight to watch. Purna Annamalai Hi, my name is Purna and I study in Class 8. I love dancing and baking. My other hobbies include photography and singing. EdTerra Edventures gave us an opportunity to explore a beautiful country, Italy. My favourite place was Venice. It is certainly a very beautiful city with rich culture and heritage. The Italians were very friendly. I loved the Italian cuisine. The most interesting part of my journey, I have to say, was visiting the St. Mark’s Square. I was amazed at how much effort was put in the construction of just one building. I also enjoyed the amazing gondola ride and visiting the glass factory.
  • 65. Aadya Yalamanchi Hi, I am Aadya and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to different cities of Italy was a wonderful adventure. I love to sketch and most of the places in Italy were picturesque, perfect for sketching. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Vatican City. The trip to Italy also taught me a lot about its history. At every place, I learnt how the locals respect and value their culture besides preserving important historical buildings. This journey organised by EdTerra along with our school taught me interpersonal skills and teamwork. ABOUT THE AUTHORS 62 Aadithya K. I am a 14-year old student and I live in Chennai. I love playing outdoor games and observing nature. Cricket fascinates me a lot. I also like playing video-games on my PlayStation. The trip to Italy organised by EdTerra Edventures, a student travel company, along with my school, was an exciting adventure. When I initially heard about it, I was thrilled to go. We travelled in an Emirates flight, which is one of the best airlines. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was really beautiful. It will always remain a memorable trip. MILAN Aishwarya K. I am Aishwarya and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I love sketching in my free time. I am also an admirer of nature because it fascinates me a lot. This year, our school, along with EdTerra Edventures, planned a trip for us to Italy. As soon as I heard about it, I was excited to travel there. We travelled in an Emirates flight, which was really comfortable. We learnt about various architectural styles during our trip to Italy. I enjoyed interacting with people. The trip was not only educational but also enjoyable. I also bought souvenirs to re-live the beautiful memories of the days spent in Italy. Anirudh D. Hi, I am Anirudh and I study in Class 9, PSBB Group of Schools. I like to play cricket and badminton. I loved travelling to all the places in Italy. I had never experienced something like this before. It was simply extraordinary. We went to many places and tasted varieties of food. My favourite destinations were Pisa, Florence, and Rome. In Venice, we went on a gondola ride, which was a fun-filled experience. We learnt a lot during our journey. I would like thank EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of travelling to Italy.
  • 66. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Deepti V. Jayaram Pattan 63 When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Hi, I am V. Deepti, a 15-year old student from PSBB Group of Schools. Our trip to Italy, a country in southern Europe, was a very memorable one. We visited Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. This trip was a mixture of fun, adventure, and education. Even though I am so fond of travelling, this trip made me curious and I explored the cities. During this trip, I made many new friends and learnt how to socialise with people. It was my first trip abroad, which was simply amazing. I am P. Jayaram, a 14-year old student from PSBB Group of Schools. I like to play basketball and win every game. It helps me to relax. When I heard that our school had tied up with EdTerra Edventures to organise a trip to Italy for us, I got very excited. It is not possible to visit every single place in the world, but one should grab the chance when an enriching and fruitful experience comes your way. Every country is beautiful in its own way. I like reading, therefore, I read and researched a lot about Italy. We visited five cities and each city had its own charm, beauty, and importance. I went on this trip because I wanted to know more about Roman mythology. MILAN Krithin Vijay Hello, I am Krithin Vijay from Chennai. I study in PSBB Group of Schools. EdTerra Edventures, a well-known student travel company, planned a trip to Italy for my school. I was really excited to go. We travelled Emirates Air, which is one of the most luxurious airlines. I liked visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the Colosseum. The tour to the glass-making factory was truly educational. I would like to thank EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of travelling to Italy. Vidur R. Hi, I am Vidur Ramasubramaniam and I study in Class 10. I am passionate about reading and travelling. I like learning new languages and I am interested in watching movies and studying history. Considering the fact that this was my first international trip alone, I thoroughly enjoyed making friends and meeting new people in a colourful country like Italy. Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and standing in the theatre of Emperor Commodus were a magnificent treat for the eyes. This trip taught me to become independent and piqued my interest in the history of churches.
  • 67. Visvam Srinivasan Hi, I am Visvam Srinivasan and I study in Class 8. I am an avid football player. Drawing is another of my hobbies. I was lucky to go on an amazing trip to Italy. Italy is a land full of wonder. We travelled through five major cities including the Vatican City. During the journey, I learnt to appreciate arts after observing Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci’s works. Our Journey Mentor was very cooperative and helpful during our trip. I would also like to thank my teachers and friends for helping me on this memorable trip. ABOUT THE AUTHORS 64 MILAN Rajshri Ravichandran I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was a unique experience. We visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip. Sathya Kaartick Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months back, when I first heard about a trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next, we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city. Vidhyadhar Sivakumar Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking photographs of the natural landscape besides people around. I also like recording vlogs and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.
  • 68. ABOUT THE AUTHORS 65 Gomathy Suresh I went on this trip as an enthusiastic learner as I teach History. Our Journey Mentor, Mr. Raj, was very helpful and patient with the students and teachers. Seeing is believing, and this Italy trip has made me realise that. I was completely baffled to see the huge Colosseum, which was an absolutely breathtaking moment for me. Some other awe-inspiring moments were spent inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. I sincerely thank my school management for making this possible for me. I would also like to thank EdTerra for organising this trip so well. Padmashree Ramesh I am a Social Science teacher at PSBB Group of Schools. The warmth with which I was greeted by our Journey Mentor was mind-blowing. It was a great experience to travel in Italy — all that I had learnt or taught in my class was here, in front of my eyes, much bigger and more beautiful than I had imagined. It was an experience I will always cherish — the churches, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa — you name it and we were standing in front of it. I thank my school management and all the heads for giving me this wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of nature and the monuments. The concern, care, and warmth at every step shown by Mr. Raj is sincerely appreciated. Padmavathi P. I am a teacher at PSBB Group of Schools. The entire journey remains unforgettable as it was truly an amazing experience. To step out of my comfort-zone and learn about culture, art, architecture, and history, was enriching. Being an inquisitive learner, I enjoyed every moment of our journey. I profusely thank EdTerra for organising this eventful trip and the patience exhibited by Mr. Raj Banerjee is praiseworthy. Managing a team of 45 students was indeed challenging, but it was coordinated very well. My sincere thanks the PSBB management for giving us all an opportunity to explore a beautiful part of the world. TEACHERS Anand Babu I am Anand Babu, a Tamil language teacher in PSBB Group of Schools. I have travelled to most parts of India. This journey to an international destination was really amazing. Mr. Raj, our Journey Mentor, is very kind-hearted person. He ensured the safety of the students as well as teachers. The arrangement of tour guides at each place was brilliant. The places that we visited were really nice. The breathtaking view of the Colosseum was the best part of our journey. The gondola ride in Venice was also amazing. The trip was not only enjoyable, but informative too. It was very nice to see the children learning to manage themselves in an environment drastically different from home. The trip organised by EdTerra to Italy was indeed very delightful. This trip shall remain etched in my heart forever.
  • 69. Priya Menon Hello, I am Priya Menon, a Social Science teacher from PSBB Group of Schools. This trip to Italy has been very informative and memorable, particularly the history of one of the world’s most famous ancient civilisations. The trip was organised well by EdTerra’s Journey Mentor, Mr. Raj Banerjee. All the places, as mentioned in the itinerary, were covered with the help of a certified tour guide. The experience of being in these historical places was truly awe-inspiring and there is a lifetime of memories that I have created during the last 10 days. I thank the school heads, my Principal and Headmistress, and EdTerra for giving me the opportunity of going on this journey. ABOUT THE AUTHORS 66 TEACHERS Rajshri Ravichandran I am Rajshri Ravichandran, a 15-year old student living in Chennai and studying in PSBB Group of Schools. I love to explore nature and study about climate. I love photography and playing the guitar. Our journey to Italy was a unique experience. We visited the St. Mark’s Square, witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration, and enjoyed the gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice. It was an awesome experience to visit all places. Overall, it was a really exciting trip. Sathya Kaartick Hi, I am Sathya. I live in Chennai and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. I like playing basketball and practising calligraphy. A few months back, when I first heard about a trip to Italy, I got really excited. We went to Italy on an Emirates flight. Visiting the beautiful city of Venice was great. We stayed in small but comfortable rooms. Next, we went to eat some local delicacies, pizza being my favourite dish. We also went to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. The way the craftsmen made those glass objects was awesome. Finally, we went on a gondola ride which was a fun-filled experience. Venice will always remain my favourite city. Vidhyadhar Sivakumar Hi, I am Vidhyadhar and I study in PSBB Group of Schools. My hobbies include clicking photographs of the natural landscape besides people around. I also like recording vlogs and shooting travel documentaries. When I am bored, I play games on my mobile or computer. I am not very studious. I grasp more when I study in an interactive environment. I love learning different languages, especially the ancient ones. This trip was one of my most enjoyable trips outside India.