By Soven Bery ’15, Feature Editor 

The immersion is a requirement to graduate Newark Academy; however, for many students it isn’t viewed as something that needs to get done, but rather something that they look forward to do. Immersing one’s self in a new culture has become hallmark of the Newark Academy experience. It is the greatest way that students express themselves, their talents and their interests while also gaining a unique perspective. Currently, Newark Academy offers faculty-led immersions to Spain, France, Vermont, New Hampshire, the American Southwest and Guatemala. The school also approves external organizations and off-campus study programs, such as School Year Abroad, for students to take advantage of. So without much further ado here are the top ten reasons why immersions are the best, as stated by Newark Academy kids!

10. “Meeting new people and making new friends” – Chloe Cubbage ’15, American Southwest

9. Exploring.

“I loved Guatemala because we got to spend lots of time with our friends and had a lot of free time to do whatever we wanted, whether it be shopping, eating, or exploring the culture” – Elliot Dunayev ‘15, Guatemala

8. Living without technology.

“I loved separating myself from the consumer material world I live in and being able to connect with my friends on the trip” – Serena Najjar ’14, Vermont farm

“It was enlightening to be without technology for two weeks”- Jai Ghose ’14, Vermont farm

7. “The opportunity to get outside my comfort zone and spend multiple weeks immersed in a culture unlike my own.” – Abel Dawit ’15, Spain

6. “I loved seeing firsthand how other people who are less fortunate than we are lived. It put things into perspective” – Jenna Tobey ’15, Guatemala

5. “The liberty to go into town and do whatever such as shop, go to a cafe or just go for a walk in the park after school” – Cindy Cueva, SYA France

4. “Euro Cup was on when I was in Spain and I saw the nationalism as everyone was cheering for Spain to win” – Nick Martino ’15, Spain

3. The true definition of happiness

“By spending three weeks in such a poor and remote village, I learned that you don’t need “things” to be happy. I think most of those villagers lived happier lives than us Americans, despite not having much more than each other.”- Sam Rosenberg ’15, Fiji (not Newark Academy led, external organization)

2. Living with a host family.

“Definitely the family I stayed with” – Steph Roser ’16, Spain

“My host mother was the kindest woman in the world and every night I’d help her clean the kitchen after dinner and we’d sit down and have juice and in Spanish we’d talk until like 1 am about my life in America and hers in Costa Rica and it was incredible because even though they were really different experiences we related a lot” – Sydney Persing ’15, Costa Rica (not Newark Academy led, external organization)

1. “The foreign candy”- Corynne Sarrett, SYA Italy