Access Students Explore the World
They walked the streets of Cairo, studied Japanese in Sapporo, danced salsa in Colombia, and made videos in Spain. This summer, four of our rising high school seniors took their studies outside the classroom—and across the globe—through the Quest Scholarship Fund Program. Each destination offered a unique window into daily life abroad and each student embraced the challenge of living and learning in a different culture, returning home with new friends and lasting memories.
• Kollan A. (St. Louis University High School ’26 | Sister Thea Bowman ’22) spent July in Málaga, Spain. His days were filled with Spanish classes and making short films while his evenings and weekends included time at the beach, playing sports, and exploring nearby cities. If he learned two things on his first trip overseas, it was to pack light and convert money before you leave.
• Robert J. (Christian Brothers College High School ’26 | Sister Thea Bowman ’22) traveled to Cairo, Egypt, for two weeks, where he studied Arabic, rode a camel, and visited the Pyramids — which, for him, was the highlight of an unforgettable trip.
• Valeria R. (Cor Jesu Academy ’26 | St. Cecilia School & Academy ’22) spent a month in Sapporo City, Japan, where she studied Japanese, sang karaoke, and developed a love of udon noodles. She immersed herself in school life and traditions — from bowing to teachers at the start of class to switching into indoor shoes when entering the building — and especially enjoyed her school’s spirit week festival, which featured themed classrooms, food trucks, pep rallies, and fireworks.
• Rylie H. (St. Joseph’s Academy ’26 | St. Louis Catholic Academy ’22) visited Popayán, Colombia, where she lived with a local host family and learned that Google Translate can work miracles when trying to communicate across language barriers. From picking coffee beans and making empanadas to practicing aerial gymnastics and learning to salsa dance, Rylie fully immersed herself in Colombian culture and formed lasting connections along the way.
These global adventures were made possible thanks to the generous support of Access donors, the Boniface Foundation, and Quest Scholarship Fund, a local organization that opens doors for high-achieving students from underserved areas to study abroad. We are proud to support these scholars and wish them continued success as they return to school and share their broadened perspectives with classmates and communities.
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