High School

NYC Trip (July 8th-9th)

Published on Jul 13, 2017

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After two successful weeks of SAT camp, the students took off for a two-day trip to New York City. We packed our bags and boarded an early bus to Manhattan. Giving students a busy but fun-filled weekend in the Big Apple!

Day 1: July 8th

Our first stop after arriving in New York City was a voyage on the Staten Island Ferry. This 5-mile trip connecting Manhattan and Staten Island gave the students an opportunity to view New York Harbor, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. This ferry provides 70,000 New Yorkers with transportation across the Upper New York Bay every day. It gave the students some time to enjoy the open air before we checked into the Pod 51 Hotel.

After some time to relax in the hotel and explore the city, the students met back up for a delicious dinner at Bill’s Bar & Burger at Rockefeller Center. Students enjoyed an assortment of specialty burgers – from classic cheeseburgers and sliders to shrimp and veggie burgers – as well as fries and milkshakes.

As the sun began to set, we made our way down 7th Avenue to Times Square. The students had the chance to marvel at the neon billboards, go shopping in the area shops, and run into dozens of caricature artists and marvel characters.  Although crowded, there’s something unquestionably exhilarating about visiting in the neon-lit heart of the city.

Day 2: July 9th

After a 6:30 AM wake-up call, the students headed to the Pod 51 Hotel rooftop for breakfast. They enjoyed Ess-A-Bagel’s New York-style bagels, a variety of muffins, and an assortment of fresh fruits. In addition, got a great view of the heart of midtown. The rooftop was decorated for one of the students Aleksandra (Ola) Andrzejewska’s 17th birthday. The students were able to hang out and start their day off with some birthday wishes before they headed off to some college tours.

For our first tour, our students visited one of the oldest Ivy League Universities. Columbia University, whose mascot is the lion, is centered in Upper Manhattan. Includes alumni from Academy Award-winning actors, Nobel Laureates, Supreme Court Justices, and Pulitzer Prize winners. Of national universities, Columbia ranks fifth on U.S News. The students were able to walk around the main campus. Able to watch and experience the libraries, gardens, and city life the university’s undergraduates frequent. These group activities were led by our counselor Ana, self-guided tours which allowed students to freely ask questions about the college.

 

After visiting Columbia, some students went straight to Central Park. Others took the train to check out New York University’s main campus. Founded in 1831, New York University is now one of the largest private universities in the United States, boasting over 50,000 students. The campus is built around Washington Square Park; a beautiful spot where students stopped for ice cream and a respite in the shade beneath the trees. This park also features the immense Washington Square Arch. Built-in 1892 to commemorate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president of the United States.

After the college tours, all the students sat down for lunch to enjoy some pizza. They ate at Central Park: the largest and most important public park in Manhattan. Surrounded are several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and other facilities. After singing a happy birthday song to Ola with a huge triple chocolate layered cake from a local bakery, the students were able to have a little bit of free time. Whether they wanted to walk around the park or do some last-minute shopping before they walked back to the station for our 4-hour bus ride back to Boston.