Nine King's Academy rising seniors traveled to Texas this summer for an unforgettable educational and cultural experience that combined university exploration, cultural immersion and the opportunity to cheer on Jordan during its historic FIFA World Cup appearance.

The highlight of the trip came at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where students watched Jordan take on Argentina live in one of the country's landmark sporting moments. Surrounded by thousands of Jordanian supporters, the students experienced an electric atmosphere while cheering on their national team.

For Alia Wakileh, Director of External Affairs and Institutional Planning, the trip reflected King's Academy's commitment to learning beyond the classroom. "We spent months carefully planning an experience that combined academic exploration, cultural exchange through homestays and the opportunity for our students to cheer on Al Nashama at the FIFA World Cup," she said. "Sharing a moment of national pride like this is something they will carry with them for years to come," she added.

Mohammad Al-Quraan '10, Class Dean and one of the trip's chaperones, said the experience allowed students to celebrate a milestone in Jordan's sporting history while beginning to envision their futures. "Jordan making it to the World Cup finals is a historic moment for us as a nation, so it was wonderful to take a group of rising seniors to cheer on our national team and be part of the incredible atmosphere created by Jordanian fans in the US," he said.

"At the same time, the trip gave our students the opportunity to tour outstanding universities as they begin the college application process this fall," he added.

For Lamar Atoom '27, the experience was one of overwhelming pride. "Watching Jordan's national team play against Argentina in person made me feel incredibly proud," she said. "It was something I had always dreamed of and being there made me appreciate how far Jordanian football has come. I'm grateful that King's gave me the opportunity to be part of such a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

She said one of her favorite memories came before kickoff at the FIFA Fan Festival. "When I started drawing the Jordanian flag on a paper fan, one of the volunteers immediately recognized it and started talking to us about Jordan's first World Cup," she said. "Seeing Jordanian flags and merchandise throughout the FIFA Fan Festival made me realize that Jordan was truly part of the World Cup and it made the experience even more special."

Beyond the excitement of the tournament, the trip introduced students to American higher education. The academic centerpiece was a visit to The University of Texas at Austin, where students toured the campus and learned more about university life. The group also visited Southern Methodist University (SMU) and explored the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Students rounded out the experience through visits to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Museum of Asian Art, The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters and training facilities, Six Flags and several other landmarks across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For Faysal Alwir '27, the university visits changed the way he thinks about choosing a college. "It is very common to look at universities solely through an academic lens," he said. "However, visiting UT Austin and other Texas campuses reminded me to view my future with a much wider perspective. You spend nearly every moment of your life for three or four years at college, so finding an environment where you truly fit is just as important as the program itself."

He added that the relationships built throughout the journey were equally meaningful. "Aside from watching the Jordan vs. Argentina game, the people we met throughout the trip are what made it truly meaningful," he said. "Our host families welcomed us into their homes and shared their culture and daily lives with us. They have become a permanent part of our lives."

Throughout much of the trip, King's students were joined by students from Deerfield Academy. Together, the two groups explored Dallas, participated in World Cup activities and developed new friendships while King's students stayed with local host families, gaining firsthand insight into American culture and daily life.

The trip's other chaperone, Hamzeh Qudah '11, Dean of Students, said the journey was about much more than football. "Our students embraced every opportunity to learn, showed gratitude to everyone who welcomed us and represented King's Academy with respect," he said. "Even after the match against Argentina, they congratulated the opposing fans, reflecting the kind of global citizens they are becoming."

The 10-day experience offered students far more than the chance to attend a World Cup match. It combined university exploration, cultural exchange and international friendships with a historic moment of national pride, leaving students with memories and perspectives they will carry into the next chapter of their educational journeys.