The Global Studies Honors Program is tasked with spreading global awareness at RMA. To further that goal, Global Studies offers trips that give students the opportunity to travel outside the US–usually to Europe or Latin America. Two such upcoming trips include Peru and England.
During the 2025-2026 spring break (April 2026), Upper School RMA students are invited to go on a trip to Peru with Spanish teacher Ms. Vicky Bolivar. Students will undertake a truly special experience, exploring Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and more, giving students a chance to encounter Latin American culture firsthand as they visit churches, museums, markets, mines, and ruins. Hiking the trails, riding horses, spending time with the people of Peru, and tasting traditional dishes such as ceviche and ají de gallina are just a few of the special experiences students can expect.
Peru’s history spans thousands of years but is predominantly recognized for the well known civilization of the Incan Empire, which emerged around the 13th century and had become an advanced civilization through their incorporation of road networks, bridges, and even cities. Although the trip will offer many unique experiences, hiking up Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the main attraction. Machu Picchu is characterized by its advanced dry stone masonry, an earthquake resistant design, and terrace and irrigation systems. Machu Picchu, which lies around 8,200 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, served as a royal estate for the Incan Emperor Pachacuti from 1420 to 1471. Whereas many ancient parts of Peru were later destroyed, the city was actually not found by the conquistadors during the mid-15th century and hence not ransacked. In fact, it was so well hidden that Machu Picchu was only discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. The city is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is a World Heritage Site.
Ms. Bolivar says, “I chose Machu Picchu in Peru over other destinations in South America because of its incredible Inca history and the unique cultural experience it can bring to my students. We have studied and talked about the Incas and their achievements, and now we have the opportunity to see this ancient city that has stood for more than 600 years, a true symbol of resilience and innovation. This would truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our Upper School Students, and I sincerely hope we can make it happen.”
Once school has ended, Upper School students will have another opportunity to travel outside the US, this time to England with English teacher Ms. Amy Knox. While there, students will see all the traditional sights in London like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Westminster Abbey, but also travel beyond the big city to visit Canterbury (as in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales), Brighton (a seaside resort town), Stratford-upon-Avon (the birth and resting place of William Shakespeare), and Oxford (home to the famous university). “It’s a mix of so many different subjects and interests,” Ms. Knox says. “There’s archeology, science, literature, history, theater, pop culture… plus a lot of stuff that’s just plain fun!” Main attractions will include the National Maritime Museum, the Globe Theater, the Roman Baths, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the stone circle at Stonehenge. Students will also get to ride the London Eye (which is a giant, enclosed Ferris wheel overlooking the Houses of Parliament) and cruise down the River Thames.
Ms. Knox takes great pride in running this trip because, although England appears to simply be another English-speaking Western country (so nothing too different from the US), in reality, it is home to a rich history that goes back thousands of years. You might not know that England was once occupied by the ancient Romans (in the early AD period), and ruins can still be found in London and cities like Bath. There’s also Stonehenge, which was built in the Neolithic period (10,000 to 3,000 BC). All three locations are stops on the tour. It’s also important to note that England is a melting pot of other ethnicities, religions, and languages. Although people come to England from all over the world seeking economic and educational opportunities, much of the country’s diversity is due to its history of colonialism. 
At one time, the British empire spanned the globe and included places like India, Pakistan, Ireland, Nigeria, and the Caribbean, and those populations are found in significant numbers living in England today.
“I promise it’s not all eating scones and drinking tea!” Ms. Knox says. “And a lot of what we’ll do during our free time depends on what students are interested in. If I have a group of music lovers with me, we might visit Abbey Road, where the Beatles recorded their albums. If my students are foodies, we can go to the Borough Market and sample food from Turkey and Argentina. If they’re history buffs, we can check out the Churchill War Rooms. Every trip is different!”
These opportunities not only give students a chance to explore the world but also to join the Global Studies Honors Program and share their experiences. Of course, you do not have to be in the Global Studies Program to join either of the trips!
The Peru trip takes place from April 3 – April 11, 2026. If you’re interested, the deadline to sign up is November 17, 2025. Students who are interested are encouraged to learn more at a meeting during lunch on Tuesday 9/16 in Ms. Bolivar’s room. If you can’t make it, contact Ms. Bolivar at [email protected].
If you’re interested in the England trip, grab an information sheet on the bulletin board by Ms. Knox’s room, reach out to Ms. Knox at [email protected], or register here.
