Some kids spend their summer vacations swimming in the pool, going to theme parks or just watching TV, but Oxford High School freshman Paul Belmonte didn’t experience the usual summer vacation.
That’s because he spent three weeks in Australia and New Zealand as a student ambassador for the People to People program.
Belmonte was able to raise money to cover half the price of his not-so-cheap trip through selling fleece blankets and scarfs and carmel popcorn he made for family, friends and teachers.
He began his journey in Sydney Australia. After a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles, the 15-year-old and 39 others visited the visually-famous Sydney Opera house, got a 360 degree view of the city on top of the Sydney Tower and visited an opal museum, home to the country’s national gemstone.
From there, the group traveled north to the state of Queensland where Belmonte snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef. ‘That was very fun,? he said. ‘The water was very cold because it was their winter time.?
But Belmonte wasn’t just spending his time touring the country. The student ambassadors purchased a large amount of canned goods at a supermarket and donated them to a local homeless shelter.
The group of ambassadors then flew east to New Zealand, which Belmonte said was ‘more adventurous than Australia.?
‘We did a lot of rock climbing,? he said. ‘Australia’s really laid back.?
Belmonte even got to visit Mavora Lakes, where scenes of the fictional Fangorn Forest were filmed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
‘That was really cool,? he said.
After visiting New Zealand’s Parliament House, Belmonte’s group visited a village of native people called the Maori.
‘We had to do a welcoming ceremony with the warriors,? he said.
During the ceremony, Belmonte said their group leader accepted the peace offering ? a string with beads ? and the Maori sang a song in their native tongue.
In return, the group decided to sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game.?
Belmonte said he was amazed at the New Zealand landscape.
‘It was the most green I’ve ever seen in my life ? and lots of sheep,? he said.
One thing he didn’t particularly care for was eating Vegemite, a spread made from yeast products, on his food. ‘It tastes like pure salt, but I kind of like it now,? he said.
Belmonte urges anyone interested in becoming a student ambassador for People to People to ‘go for it.?
‘It’s really a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience,? he said. ‘I really recommend it because it teaches you independence.?