The students landed in Boston, where they learnt about early American history by walking the Freedom Trail, and explored the life of one of the most celebrated presidents at the Kennedy Museum. En route from Boston, they stopped for a guided tour of Yale University’s prestigious and impressive campus.
In New York, they visited many key landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the Empire State Building. A particular highlight was a surprise appearance of a photo of the group on a big screen in Times Square.
The evening activities were equally memorable: stunning views from One Vanderbilt; a bespoke New York Big Bus night tour, incorporating stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge, kindly provided by the Waterman family, who are OEs; and supporting the New Jersey Devils ice hockey team.
The pupils subsequently visited Philadelphia, touring Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, and seeing the iconic Liberty Bell. The final stop was Washington DC, where the group visited the key institutions of US politics, including a guided tour of the Capitol Building, and viewing the White House and Supreme Court. The pupils were also privileged to visit the congressional office of Representative Joseph Morelle (Dem) to hear from staffers about the behind-the-scenes activities of a member of Congress. Mr Bustard led a walking tour of the historic monuments along the National Mall and the pupils went around the fantastic African American Museum. A further taste of US culture came at a Washington Wizards’ basketball game and a production of the comic play, Sheer Madness.
The pupils were excellent ambassadors of the College and thoroughly inquisitive throughout the trip.
