News· October 2, 2026· 5 min read

A Student’s Essay: How France and Spain Made the World Feel Bigger

A large Salvador Dalí painting hanging on a brick wall inside the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain

The Rickel Foundation recently supported the travel of a number of students from South Florida to France and Spain. Today we received a beautiful letter from a student who went on this educational tour. It touches on much of what the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation cares about, and we’re sharing it in full, with the student’s own photos and captions.

Traveling to France and Spain was one of the most meaningful educational experiences I have ever had. Before this trip, I understood that people around the world lived differently from me, spoke different languages, and had different cultures. Seeing another part of the world in person made that idea feel completely different. Being able to walk through historic cities, experience European culture, visit museums, and see some of the world’s most important works of art changed the way I see both the world and myself. This trip showed me that even though people can live thousands of miles apart and speak completely different languages, we can still have so much in common.

One of the biggest things I noticed during my time in France and Spain was how connected people are despite their differences. I expected Europe to feel completely different, but there were many moments when I realized that people are people everywhere. They laughed, they explored, they ate together, took pictures, listened to music, and enjoyed spending time with one another. Even when I could not understand everything someone was saying because of the language barrier, I could still understand emotions through facial expressions, gestures, and the way people interacted with each other. I also noticed how much energy and life there was around me. The people I encountered seemed to embrace having fun, enjoying their surroundings, and making memories. Seeing this made me think about how important it is to experience life instead of only focusing on school, work, and responsibilities.

France especially had a huge impact on me because of my love for art. As someone who enjoys painting and sculpting, being surrounded by so much history and creativity was almost overwhelming in the best possible way. I had learned about famous artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh before, but seeing their work in person was completely different from seeing a picture of it in a textbook or online. Standing in front of artwork created by someone who lived generations before me made art history feel alive.

Claude Monet’s Water Lilies painting hanging in a gilded frame on a gallery wall — Seeing Monet’s artwork in person inspired me as an artist because I could experience the colors, brushwork, and details that photographs cannot capture.

Visiting the Louvre Museum was one of the highlights of my trip. The museum itself felt like an artwork because of its incredible architecture, enormous galleries, and history. One of the pieces that stood out to me was the Winged Victory of Samothrace, also known as Nike. Seeing Nike in person gave me a different appreciation for sculpture. I was able to see the details, movement, and scale of the sculpture in a way that photographs cannot fully communicate. The way the figure appears to move forward through the wind made the sculpture feel almost alive. As someone who enjoys sculpting, seeing a piece like this in person made me think about how artists can communicate movement, emotion, and power without using words.

The glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre in Paris under a blue summer sky — Standing outside the Louvre in Paris was a surreal moment for me. I had learned about the museum and its artwork before, but actually being there made art history feel real.

The trip also introduced me to the work of Salvador Dalí in Spain. Dalí’s work was especially inspiring because of how imaginative and unconventional it was. His art reminded me that creativity does not have to follow tradition. Artists can create strange, dreamlike, emotional, or unexpected things and still communicate powerful ideas. Seeing his work encouraged me to think more freely about my own art and not be afraid to experiment.

Seeing Monet, Van Gogh, and Dalí in person has continued to affect me even months after returning home. I still remember the initial shock of realizing that I was standing in front of artwork that I had only seen through pictures. That feeling has stayed with me. The experience made me want to create more and pay closer attention to the world around me for inspiration. I now think about art differently because I understand that experiencing artwork in person can create an emotional connection that is difficult to get from a screen.

The trip also helped me understand that education does not only happen inside a classroom. I learned history by standing inside historic buildings. I learned about art by seeing original masterpieces. I learned about culture by interacting with people and experiencing their everyday lives. I learned about myself by stepping outside of what was familiar to me. These experiences gave me a different kind of education, one that I could not have received simply by reading a textbook.

Students walking barefoot on a Spanish beach at dusk, with harbor lights across the bay — This trip has allowed me to make many friends. There were kids from different parts of the country (Texas and Arizona) and they had different high school experiences from me. I still talk to many of them months later!!

Most importantly, my trip to France and Spain made the world feel bigger while somehow making people feel closer. I traveled many miles from home and encountered languages and cultures that were different from my own, yet I still found familiar human experiences everywhere. I came home with more than photographs and souvenirs. I came home with inspiration, memories, and a stronger desire to continue exploring.

France and Spain reminded me that there is so much more to learn, create, and discover. As an artist, I want to carry that curiosity. Whether I am looking at a painting, creating a sculpture, designing something new, or someday working on technology that helps people explore space, I want to remain open to new ideas and new perspectives. This educational tour changed the way I see art, culture, education, and the world, and I know its impact will stay with me for years to come.