Many of ACP’s newest alumni are having the time of their lives before starting college in the fall. One of them, Caroline Whitesel, recently returned from a family trip to London, England, and Paris, France. Caroline was a part of the ACP Knight Times for two years and spent last year, her senior year, as our Editor-in-Chief.

A great teacher and mentor, Caroline will be attending the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa to study social work. Here’s what she had to say about her summer in Europe:

How long was your trip?

A: The trip was a total of 11 days: three in London, four in Paris, and four in Disneyland Paris.

Which one did you like the most? Why?

A: I have been to London multiple times, so I have a slight bias towards the UK, but France has stunning country sides. I think I’ll have to go back to both countries again before I can make a decision.

What did you do while you were in England and France?

A: In London, my family and I visited the main tourist attractions, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. We also found spots that J.K. Rowling used for inspiration for her Harry Potter novels. Because we had never been to Paris, my family and I mainly explored the known tourist sights. We had the opportunity to see the remains of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Lourvre (which was overwhelmingly beautiful), and finally we spent a few days at Disneyland Paris.

Why did you decide to go?

A: When I was a freshman, my parents told my brother and I that when we graduated from high school, we would be allowed to pick the family vacation that year. I have always wanted to go to Paris, so I convinced my family to go there.

What was the most interesting part about your trip?

A: Each place we visited had unique aspects for that country and their traditions, but overall, the most interesting part for me was meeting all the different people in Paris. Mainly in Disneyland Paris, we had the opportunity to talk to people from Holland, Germany, the UK, Australia, and many more diverse places. It was astounding to learn about their cultures and ways of life while in line for the many Disneyland rides.

Are you planning on visiting again?

A: I love traveling, so I would definitely go back to Paris and London. I have many other countries I wish to visit in the future, and Paris is one I’ll surely go back to.

Thank you to Caroline for taking the time to tell us a little about her exciting summer vacation! Being a part of the ACP Knight Times Staff last year while Caroline was Editor was a surreal experience, and I couldn’t be more thankful for everything she’s taught me. We miss you a lot and wish you good luck in college! Continue to strive for the impossible and be extraordinary!