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Boston and New York: Great American Cities
Spring Break for International Students
This program takes into account the fact that students are on Spring Break. Balance, time for recharging, and student agency are elements that will be incorporated into the program on a daily basis.
Program Highlights
The Freedom Trail
A fun-filled 'Amazing Race' takes us on this 2.5-mile-long path through 16 locations significant to the history of the United States.
Harvard University
We go behind the scenes at one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Walden Pond
We step back into nature and consider what it would mean to live more deliberately.
AMERICA’S FINANCIAL CENTER
Students will visit the iconic sites, edifices, and institutions that make New York the premier financial center in the world. As students explore the city and learn about the history of Wall Street–the facts, the influence, and the actors–their understanding of the world of finance and trading expands as the week unfolds.
THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
New York is more than a city–it is a rhythm, an energy, and a spirit. No matter the hour of the day, New York invites engagement, inquiry, and exploration. Students have the opportunity to visit a high number of fun, renowned, and off-the-beaten-path places throughout their week.
A Spring Break Like No Other!
Students will get to spend time in two of America's most remarkable cities - thousands of people from all over the world visit them every year. They will have the unique opportunity to get to know both of these cities well and to experience their rich and diverse cultures.
Itinerary
The below itinerary provides one projection of the daily schedule. Changes may be made to improve the program quality, based on the logistical and educational needs of enrolled students.
Early arrivals / Late departures can be arranged to meet the needs of individual students.
Day One - Welcome
Students arrive and check in to our accommodations outside of Boston. We hold a ‘welcome dinner’ for all arrivals, and spend some time getting to know each other, adjusting to our surroundings, and setting out our respective goals for the week.
Day Two - Downtown Boston
During the morning, we depart for a ‘highlight tour’ of Boston, moving from the Boston Common along the Freedom Trail towards Faneuil Hall. Along the way, we discuss the importance of each of these spots for the identity of Massachusetts natives as well as the historical legacy of the United States.
Day Three - The Charles
We take a short walk along the Charles River to the world-famous Museum of Science. With an amazing range of permanent and temporary exhibits including nanotechnology, alternative energy sources, and the wonders of the animal kingdom, we spend a full afternoon taking in all that the museum has to offer. We close the experience with a show at the IMAX Omni Theater.
Day Four - Harvard University
We explore Harvard Square, beginning with a tour of Harvard Yard and then going "behind the scenes" for a lunchtime discussion with current undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard. We close the day by splitting into teams to explore Harvard's world-famous museums.
Day Five - Seminar!
During the morning, we engage in a workshop about university life and applications, providing students with a realistic "benchmark" for what awaits them in college. In the afternoon, interested students are taken on a tour of the MIT and Boston University campuses.
Day Six
We start the day with a trip to the famed MIT museum to learn about the birth of artificial intelligence and the development of robotics. We do a robotics workshop and learn to instruct robots to perform basic tasks. Moving through the exhibit, we find interesting tidbits to bring back and discuss as a group. In the afternoon, students have a choice of exploring several
Day Seven - Mission!
Taking advantage of our newly developed comfort with Boston, we push students to expand their comfort zones and sense of adventure! Dividing into small teams, students are given ‘mission lists’ to complete within the city environment. The nature of the challenges require interacting with the people and places in a different way than they have been previously used to, asking questions, conducting observations, and learning things about the city and themselves. Each team has a different ‘mission theme’, and, at the close of the activity, the team members separate and meet with other teams to debrief on their experience and learnings.
Day Eight - Movers and Shakers
In the morning, we bid farewell to any students who have chosen the 8 day program option, who head back to the airport with an Envoys instructor.
The rest of the group travels to Walden Pond, where we delve into the legacy of Henry David Thoreau for the region and the country as a whole. We then spend the rest of the day exploring the artifacts, contributions, and stories of Boston's intellectual, architectural, and cultural movers and shakers. For example, we'll learn about Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of landscape design and designer of iconic parks such as Central Park, the Chicago World's Fair, the Boston Common, and the Emerald Necklace.
Day Nine -- Boston to NYC
We take the train into Penn Station and check in at our hotel. We get ready for the busy week to come! We get some rest and head over to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Here, we will learn about one of the 21st Century’s most important events, that changed the course of history for America and the world.
Day Ten -- immigrants, they get the job done
We start the day with a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where students form groups to execute a collaborative scavenger hunt, diving deep into the past through the narratives of individual families and the nation as a whole.
Day Eleven
In the morning, we will head over to the New York Stock Exchange. Afterwards, we will head to Trinity Church and visit Alexander Hamilton’s Burial Site. Then, we will keep exploring Wall Street, visiting the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and go on to visit the Museum of American Financial History. Afterwards, we will visit the Federal Hall, and enjoy some time at Bowling Green, where we will see the iconic Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl. We will end our day by grabbing some dinner at Fraunces Tavern, a historic tavern preserved and renovated, which has operated since 1762. We cap the day off with a visit to the Museum of Illusions.
Day twelve -- The City that Never Sleeps
On Tuesday, we will head to a completely different part of New York: we will go North to the Bronx. First, we will visit the Grange Museum, Alexander Hamilton’s home. There, we will learn more about this founding father, and about his impact on US history. Then, we will turn on a different subject to head to the Yankee Stadium. We will be able to tour this incredible arena! Then, we will head back into Manhattan for an optional Broadway Show (additional cost).
Day Thirteen
We will spend the day exploring Midtown Manhattan. In the morning, we will head to the Empire State Building. After seeing a remarkable view of the city from this globally famous landmark, we will head to Central Park Zoo. Then, we will head to Radio City Music Hall for a tour. Afterwards, we will head to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for some dinner, and submerge ourselves into a different decade: it will be like traveling back in time into the 50’s!
Day fourteen
We close off the program in the morning, and assist students with departure during the day.
