Update 3/23/18 6:15PM EST: The group has been notified that they will be staying overnight in Boston on Saturday and then flying out on Sunday on two flights.
Trip members who were traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos for Intensive Learning were informed Thursday evening that their trip was shortened by 4 days due to inclement weather, but it is unclear whether or not they will receive a refund.
“[This departure change] was the result of two cancellations due to snow, and COPA airlines did not begin rescheduling until they knew their flights had resumed flying. It is particularly difficult to reschedule when you need 25 seats,” said Upper School Director Meredith Godley, who informed trip members of the change.
The students will now be driving up to Boston. Eighteen people will fly out Sunday evening, but the remaining 6 will have to fly out Monday.
“Our trip is cut in half, so we are only there for 5 days, including all the travel. As far as we know, we are not getting any money back,” said senior Chloe Jones.
“The payments were non-refundable,” said Godley, “but [Trip Leader Josefina Paolello] is working with the travel agency to attempt to obtain some refund, but they have made no promises. Some parts of the trip were paid in full, and other parts have penalties for cancellation.”
According to the 2018 Intensive Learning descriptions, the trip costs $3500, including all meals for 10 days included.
Senior Devin Horn, who worked to pay for the trip, found it “mildly frustrating that [she] worked for the money to pay and we lost about 5 days.”
Horn was repeatedly thankful for the “hard work of the teachers,” adding that “it is not at all the fault of MFS and I’m really grateful they’re trying to keep in contact. It’s just a rough situation.”
“I know it’s the fault of the airline and the travel agency and not at all the teachers,” said Horn, “and I’m still really excited for the trip, [I’m] just kind of bummed that, as of now, they’re saying we can’t get money refunded when I saved a lot of money for my Senior Trip.”
According to senior Megan Mininno, trip members were not required to come to school Friday, but “[the administration] said they would find something for us to do [if we did decide to come in]. I don’t think any of us are going though. Everyone is … upset.”
The Intensive Learning description boasts visits to Quito, the capital city, and the “Middle of the World,” where one can stand with one foot on the northern hemisphere and one foot on the Southern Hemisphere. The description also mentions visits to markets surrounded by the Andes Mountains, volcanoes, and the Galapagos Islands studied by Charles Darwin. It is unclear which portion of the itinerary will be changed.
This is a developing story and WordsWorth will update the post with any developments.
