“Spring at Sage offers students an unparalleled opportunity for leadership, creativity, and risk-taking beyond the traditional classroom,” Bethany Pitassi assistant director for Global Outreach, said.

This year Pitassi has decided to take on a new perspective of the Spring at Sage program. By using the concept of “Zooming Out,” students will be able to connect what is happening on campus with the real world.

In order to follow through with this idea of “zooming out,” Pitassi has added the element of journaling to the program.

“We are creating a community of storytellers and students are asked to tell their story all of the time. Telling your own story is a skill that needs to be developed over time, and the Spring at Sage journal will help develop that skill,” Pitassi said.

Students are very excited about the list of trips and seminars. Sophomores are particularly excited about being able to travel outside the country this year.

“I really want to go to Italy because I really am interested in all the art and the beautiful buildings,” sophomore Kelly Lester said. “I have also never been out of the country and it would be a really cool experience to see other cultures.”

Other trips students are looking forward to include Japan, Germany, Vancouver and Costa Rica.

“I want to do the Active OC seminar for my first Spring at Sage. It seems super fun; I love getting outdoors and doing cool things in my community,” freshman Ashley Sung said.

Other seminars this year include Exploring the Paranormal, Help OC and How to Build an Electric Guitar.

“My hope is that students make connections and experience something they wouldn’t normally experience during the school year,” Pitassi said. “I hope everyone takes full advantage of whatever it is they decide to do, whether it is to study California culture, visit museums in various cities around the world, or create a piece of stained glass.”