8th Graders Trip to Martkopi

For their first field trip, the eighth graders went to Martkopi, giving them a chance to spend time together outside the classroom and get to know each other better. Since they are all newcomers, this trip was their first opportunity for everyone to become more familiar with each other and bond as a class

The day started bright and early, arriving at school at 07:30 am. While the morning wake-up call tested everyone’s energy, once everyone got on the bus, the mood quickly shifted. Students talked, played cards and chess, listened to music, and spent time with each other.

Despite the very long, steep hill that tested the students emotionally and

physically, they still described the day as “fun, educational, and memorable” and said the journey was worth the view of the beautiful monastery. The Martkopi Monastery, originally founded in the VI century by St. Anton of Martkopi, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers, is a staple part of Georgian history. While visiting the Martkopi Monastery, they visited its catacomb and saw the remains of the monks and priests who lived and served there over the past centuries. 

The journey was not always easy. The weather was definitely not on their side, but they made the best of it. In the end, students reported that they had lots of fun and the hardships did not even matter to them. For most, the highlight of the trip was the bus ride, which ultimately is the greatest part of a school field trip: listening to music, talking with classmates, playing games, and spending time with both students and teachers outside of class. This was a stepping stone for the amazing relationships they have yet to establish at The American Academy.