Mr. Joshua Seamon, Williston Math Department Head, is not only devoted to teaching and mathematics, but he is also passionate about providing amazing international travel opportunities to the Williston community.

In his third year at Williston, Mr. Seamon has already organized two trips, one to Nepal and another to Madagascar. At his last school, Mr. Seamon led seven international trips, the destinations of which included France, Peru, and Vancouver.

Mr. Seamon believes that international trips are one of the best ways to open students’ eyes and develop their minds. By travelling to foreign places, students can truly understand the diversity of the world. Their unique experiences will help them become aware of their identities as global citizens and gain a better understanding of the differences and similarities among people from different countries.

Mr. Seamon says, “It is crucial that everyone experience as much ‘different’ as possible in their lives to truly realize that humanity isn’t all that different from one corner of the globe than the next.”

He also points out that high school students are often struggling to figure out who they are and what they want, and travelling can certainly help them look into themselves from different angles and discover new possibilities.

Mr. Seamon’s most recent excursion occurred just weeks ago over spring break when he took a group of sixteen Williston students on a sixteen-day trip to Madagascar. They departed on March 6^th and flew directly to the island which is off the southeast coast of Africa.

The group visited the great national parks, schmoozed with exotic animals, explored the mysterious rainforests and relaxed at the exotic beaches. The cities they passed included Andasibe, Antsiribe, Ranomafama, Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao and Ranohira.

The trip was a big success, and the students all claimed that Madagascar was a completely different, fun, and magical place.

Williston senior Kevin Li ’16 says, “My trip to Madagascar was a worthy, unique journey of close interaction with nature and beautiful landscape, lemurs and chameleons, and the native people and rich culture.”

While preparing for an international trip, safety is always a priority. Mr. Seamon works with reliable chaperones to lead all the school trips, and he himself always studies each country thoroughly before arriving in the foreign land. Mr. Seamon talks about trip safety with the trip participants many times in the months leading up to the trip and always carries out extensive trip rules.

Mr. Seamon is already planning future trips for Williston students. He is currently taking applications for next year’s spring break trip to New Zealand.

He says, “My plan is to keep showing as many students as I can all corners of the world. I want to keep running regular trips that are vibrant, comprehensive, and different. So far I have taken 166 students to 18 different countries, and I only want to keep growing those numbers.”