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Articles, Washington D.C.

Advance Planning for Student Tours of D.C. to Include White House and Capitol

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2015  Student Travel Update

by Howard Clemens

Government, Social Studies & History Teachers often take class trips to Washington D.C. to experience democracy at work. This type of active learning is a great way to immerse students into thinking and questioning about various facets of the U.S. government. Security measures are more complex across the United States and internationally – and rules change from time to time. Nowadays, teachers and trip leaders must be aware advance planning is needed to tour the White House and the Capitol.

For student tour groups headed to Washington D.C. – there are some recent changes in rules about bringing electronic devices to the White House, too. The good news is that students can now bring smart phones in the White House, so long as they do not use it to take video (only still shots). With enough planning, student groups can be well informed about what to bring – and what items to leave on the bus or in the hotel room.

Student Tours of the White House
There is no denying that a tour of the White House can be a memorable experience for students and persons of any age. Trip leaders must be prepared well in advance of the student trip to Washington D.C. A minimum of six months planning time may be required to ensure that every person who is attending the tour provides a formal name, date of birth and city in advance of the trip. On the day of the White House tour, each person must present a valid government picture Identification that matches the information provided exactly. Acceptable forms of ID include: valid government issued photo IDs, drivers license, military ID or a passport for foreign students.

In the past, students were not allowed to bring electronic devices such as smart phones and cameras on tour of the White House. On July 15, 2015 the White House, through Michelle Obama, declared (on a YouTube.com video) that visitors are now allowed to bring their smart phones and small cameras (lens must be 3” or less) on tours. No video recorders are allowed on tour and no live streaming of videos on any device is permitted. Lifting the ban on cell phones and small cameras on White House tours is excellent news for student travelers. Many students want to take photographs and post them to social networks while they tour Washington D.C. Now they can share their experience with others publicly.

Leave Personal Items Behind
While student groups may bring smart phones and cameras, they still must leave their purses, handbags, book bags and backpacks behind on the bus or in the hotel. Similar to school zones, no explosives or firearms are allowed. This includes: aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, weapons or knives of any size.

Students may bring their smart phones and cameras but they are still expected to give their full attention on tour. This means students are not permitted to talk or text while on tour. Students will not be allowed to use flash photography, or – as already mentioned – video recording or live streaming on their devices.

Trip leaders and teachers need to make students aware they are in a sensitive area for national security and breeches are taken seriously. While security measures have loosened in some respects, the Secret Service still reserves the right to confiscate phones if they are used in the White House.

Educational Tours of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

Though the rules are less strict in the Capitol Building for touring student groups, the advance time frame of six months or more to schedule a tour is still relevant. An educational travel company can book the student group tour online or through the school’s Senator or Representative’s office. Trip leaders do not need to provide advance lists of visitors for a tour of the Capitol.

Electronic devices are allowed in the Capitol Building, but not in Senate and House Galleries. Students will be expected to hand over their battery operated electronic devices, cameras and video recording devices of any kind before entering. These items will be securely stored and then returned to visitors once their time in the galleries is concluded.

Student groups can expect to begin the tour at the Capitol Visitor Center, where they will see a brief film, “Out of Many, One” on establishing democracy. Then they will be escorted into the Capitol to see the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. The student tour will end at the Capitol Visitor Center.

Visiting these significant buildings in Washington D.C. is a must for students of history, social studies and government. Seeing government representatives in action, in the environment where political, legal and social battles are fought will be a strong memory for years to come.

Learn more about custom tours of Washington D.C. which include a visit to the White House and Capitol Building. Email info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or visit Request a Quote.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Foreign Student Trips to Washington, D.C.: Winding Shopping, Dining & Sightseeing Together

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The National Harbor is a shopping, dining and entertainment area on the shores of the Potomac River in MD, that overlook the D.C. skyline.
The National Harbor is a shopping, dining and entertainment area on the shores of the Potomac River in MD, overlooking the D.C. skyline.

by Howard Clemens

Washington, D.C. is the center of American political and social life and has been a hub for international visitors since the beginning. For foreign students traveling to Washington D.C. for the first time, it is almost always a thrilling experience. However, seeing everything that the area has to offer can take weeks. So the question for trip leaders may be – where is a student tour group to start? And which are the most important points of interest?

Many students from other countries want to shop in the U.S. They can obtain goods that may not be available in their country. Trip leaders need to know that there are several points of interest in the Washington D.C. area where the visitor can combine sightseeing, shopping and dining.

National Harbor: A Grand View of Washington D.C.
With its many shops and restaurants, The National Harbor is situated on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. It is a great place to kick off any excursion. Students can board The Capitol Wheel, a towering 180-foot wheel with enclosed cars, that offers sweeping views of the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol building, and the whole glittering panorama of the city itself. Groups can also cruise the Potomac (or even sail right to the National Mall & Memorial Parks) on the Alexandria-National Harbor Water Taxi, which operates day and night.

When it’s time to shop, choose from 150 retailers, with an outlet mall that appeals to everyone. There are also 30 different restaurants to choose from at the National Harbor, ranging from McDonald’s to a high end dining experience overlooking the Potomac.

Downtown Washington D.C. also has more than its share of fun theme restaurants: the Madhatter, which has been a city institution for more than 30 years, takes its name, its décor, and its inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. Or, have the student group sample some Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken. Here, patrons can sample maple-bacon, s’more, or passionfruit pastries. Astro Doughnuts is the kind of fun and quirky eatery that students are bound to love.

Shop, Dine & be Entertained in Georgetown
There’s also never any shortage of shopping, historical sights, and dining in D.C.’s legendary Georgetown neighborhood. Students can take the Gastronomic Georgetown Food Tour, an outing that will expose them to gourmet French and Italian cuisine, delectable desserts from D.C.’s best bakeries, and other capitol-region culinary delights.

Shop at the Smithsonian Museums or National Air and Space Museum
One-stop shopping (as in something-for-everyone) is also an apt way to describe D.C.’s Smithsonian Museums. Students can take in three centuries of American art at once, or explore “the final frontier” (as Star Trek calls it) at the National Air and Space Museum. At these prominent museums, the foreign visitor will find lots of interesting merchandise for purchase, from clothing to jewelry to interesting limited edition art and memorabilia. Students may also want to visit the magnificent Anderson House, a lavish 50-room mansion-museum located in the city’s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. This is always a feast for the eyes, and a rare glimpse into what it’s like to live like American royalty.

When it comes to dining out, it doesn’t get any hipper than the Hard Rock Cafe, located near Washington D.C.’s bustling Chinatown district. Students can also visit the cafe’s “Rock ‘n Roll Embassy,” which is situated right next to the world-famous Ford’s Theater. Washington D.C. is also known for its lively dinner theater scene: at Medieval Madness at Renaissance Hall, students can enjoy a 4-course “knights of the round table” type feast while they take in a medieval-themed play, complete with sword fighting.

Finally, if foreign students are looking for really offbeat entertainment, they’ll find it at the Spy Museum, where they’ll learn how to decrypt secret audio conversations, escape from inescapable places, and engage in their own missions of espionage and intrigue. It is definitely an educational experience—and a great time that gives the term “interactive exhibit” a whole new meaning.

To sum it up, there’s no shortage of entertainment in the nation’s capitol, and for foreign students looking to get a taste of sightseeing, dining and entertainment all in one – there’s no place quite like Washington, D.C.

For more information about booking a tour your foreign students will never forget, email: info@educationaltravelconsultants.com, or visit the website at http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Student Trips to Washington D.C.: Social Studies and History Students Participate in Democratic Process

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by Howard Clemens

A student tour of Washington D.C. often includes a visit the White House or Capitol Building. Putting a visit to these sensitive government buildings on the itinerary does take special planning.

For educators who want student groups to meet with representatives from their region or state, I recommend at least six months of advance planning or more.

Teach Students About Participatory Democracy
Social Studies and History teachers will take students through an exercise to illustrate exactly how a participatory democracy works. First, select a representative, either a Senator or Congressman from the group’s originating district. Be open to having the group meet with aides and/or staff if the representative is not available, to discuss important issues. Choose an experienced educational travel company to ensure a smooth visit and the optimal learning experience.

Learn More About How the U.S. Capitol & the Democratic System Really Works
What would students gain from meeting with their representative and/or their staff in the Capitol Building? A knowledge that within the democratic process, national and international as well as smaller, more personal issues can be discussed. Some smaller issues may even be resolved through participation in the democratic process. How would a teacher initiate such a meeting between students and representatives? A competent student tour consultant will be able to step a teacher through this process. The result of this exercise will be to engage students in the process of democracy and the relevance and importance of expressing their views.

Here are some things to consider, when organizing a student trip to Washington D.C. that includes a visit to a representative’s office in the Capitol Building.

1. A representative or senator must be selected to approach. The educational travel company will approach a staff member of the chosen representative and schedule a convenient time during the trip to visit the representative. The educational travel representative will conduct follow-up with the representative’s office in preparation for the visit.

2. Teachers will prepare the class before the trip so students will visit the representative with a clear objective, and be able to communicate this precisely in speech or writing.

3. If students have specific questions related to the topic at hand, they may ask the representative.

4. Be prepared to meet with an aide, should the representative be called into session, or is traveling on other official business.

5. Before or after initiating a conversation with the representative, take students on tour of the Capitol Building and watch Congress or the Senate floor in action. Have students observe the process of democratic discussions while representatives conduct the necessary business of this country.

6. After the trip is over and students return to the classroom, instruct them to write or give an oral presentation on their views of the democratic process. Ask them if they feel participatory democracy works.

Through this exercise, students will learn that democracy is not just about voting.

This real life lesson will teach students participatory democracy is what the founding fathers envisioned when they modeled the U.S. system on Grecian democracy from the classical period. At this time in Greek history, the Forum could be equated to the floor of the Capitol. The only difference was that Ancient Greece allowed anyone to step into the forum and voice an opinion to the public. Because of a large population – this sort of discussion is not entirely possible in the contemporary era. Instead Americans have representatives who argue on their behalf.

Having a ‘Forum’ or Capitol building is one way of bringing people together. This means the individual and groups must participate in governmental decision-making that affects them directly. Visiting a representative before he or she casts a deciding vote on a bill, budget item, military action or other concern is the way to influence political outcomes.

To learn more about planning a student trip to Washington D.C. which includes a visit to the Capitol and a pre-arranged meeting with a Congressional or Senatorial representative visit: http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City

Blended Learning: Art Students View Guggenheim & MOMA Collections Online and Tour NYC

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By Howard Clemens

The virtual tour of a historical site, art museum or even a college or university has become the standard for many websites’ online visitors. As an educational tour consultant for many years, I do not recommend that students gain their whole experience from the online tour of an art museum. There is no replacement for seeing art in person. I always encourage a visit to at least one major museum when student groups travel to a city like Washington D.C. or New York City.

Nowadays, teachers can more easily prepare students for a student trip to New York City by virtually taking their classroom to the destination and specific sites in that place, such as museums. This is the beginning of a blended learning experience. Visiting the actual destination and seeing current exhibitions and authentic paintings or sculptures complements the online viewing experience. A visit to New York City allows students to wander inside the museum, the district and the community – learning to see art as part of the fabric of life.

I want to focus on two specific international art museums in New York City – The Guggenheim Museum and Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Part of these museums’ permanent collections are available for viewing online – with more being digitized and added.

The permanent collection of many museums is not available for viewing at all times. Often major works of art are in storage. Some are in the restoration process, while some are only displayed for special shows or regular exhibits and rotated back into storage. The work of famous artists also goes on tour and is leant to other museums. Traveling art brings notoriety and resources to a museum.

All of this may frustrate the art student and teacher. Exposure to the works of the masters helps students acquire new techniques and gain inspiration from fellow artists ideas about color, form and theme.

Teachers can more easily develop lesson plans around the work of specific artists in these digital collections. Or, perhaps teachers will focus on studying periods of art, and the type of work and artists who defined that era.

Let’s step through a sample blended learning exercise, utilizing digital works in these two collections to understand Modern Art of the first part of the 20th Century.

First, go to the page on the MOMA website where you can search for artists:
http://www.moma.org/collection/works?classifications=

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
MOMA is named after the Modern Art period and has an outstanding collection, with 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art in the collection and 61,000 works available online. A look into Pablo Picasso’s work will show students that Picasso was an adept painter who also made lithographs. Students can even view the drawings that later became paintings – gaining insight into Picasso’s artistic process.

Guggenheim Museum

Now, let’s visit the Guggenheim’s collection, and see more work by this master painter who took Paris by storm. Visit: http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online and search for ‘Picasso.’ Guggenheim’s collection contains many selected and famous paintings by Picasso, beginning in the early part of his career in 1900 and ending in 1965. Art students can observe and analyze the evolution of an artist, beginning with an interest in painting the figure and people, and evolving into a fascination for abstraction. By viewing Picasso’s work, students will understand why he is often referred to as the progenitor of Cubism.

As students are tasked with viewing Picasso on their own, they will learn more from Moma.org and the Guggenheim’s website about the subject matter of individual pieces. Picasso’s contemporaries, such as Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec are also mentioned in painting descriptions and Picasso’s biography.

Complementing these studies in the classroom, a visit to MOMA or the Guggenheim Museum to see some of the actual works of Picasso or his contemporaries is an excellent way to blend the classroom experience with real world encounters. Students can wander around the interior of the museums, viewing real works and learning more about the Manhattan communities where MOMA and the Guggenheim are located.

The number of masterpieces in museum collections in New York City is staggering. To have these works available for viewing online is a phenomenal leap. This can be said for other large urban museums housing collections as well. The number of digital masterpieces available will continue to grow and expand.

Use technology and student tours as a means of inspiring students to gain insights through careful study of the masters who have gone before them.

For more information about scheduling a student tour of New York City, request a quote.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Living History Makes Student Travel to Washington DC and Williamsburg Memorable

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By Howard Clemens

Watching history come alive can be a great way to engage student travel groups when visiting the Washington D.C. area. Living history programs are character reenactments from Revolutionary, Colonial and Civil War eras of American history. Attending one will give historically accurate information garnered directly from texts. Living history programs challenge students to take a deeper look at the characters that created the historical accounts read in the classroom today.

Mount Vernon, a Treasure of American History, Inhabited by Characters
What sorts of characters become known throughout time? Leaders do. Mount Vernon is a well-preserved site of one of the favorite founding fathers, George Washington and his second wife, Mary. The Mount Vernon property is teeming with life. Also known as Ferry Farm, this estate is populated with many of the characters of living history, including the proprietors, George and Mary Washington themselves. Students can inhabit different parts of the estate and be exposed to different viewpoints, from viewing slave quarters, to the working farm and mill, to the interior of Mount Vernon itself.

Recreating Mount Vernon as a Working Colonial Estate
Today, students might refer to a property like Mount Vernon as ‘sustainable living.’ Everything needed to feed, clothe and house the many inhabitants and visitors of the estate was cultivated here. A tour of Mount Vernon that includes living history presentations could easily take half a day. Students groups will watch and listen as re-enactors make wool and refine locally grown flax into fiber and show how horses treading wheat to remove seeds. Student tour groups can listen in to a conversation of the overseer, the blacksmith, or George Washington himself. Living history makes learning more interactive and gives students an entirely new perspective of history.

Social Studies and history teachers may want to combine a tour of Washington D.C. and Mount Vernon with a few days in Williamsburg, Virginia. Give student groups the opportunity for total immersion in the 18th Century time period while they tour the former capital of Virginia with Living History around every corner.

The 18th Century Capital of the Colonies: Williamsburg, VA
Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the world. In the 1920s, John D. Rockefeller invested in the languishing historical buildings in Williamsburg. He hired the best artisans and restoration experts to rebuild the town correctly. Today, the former 18th Century capital of Virginia is the perfect setting for students to experience living history.

Imagine walking the streets of Williamsburg and being immersed into the 18th Century style of living. Students will see many of Colonial Williamsburg’s character actors passing in the cobblestone streets in 18th Century garb. The old buildings all look the same as they did then – made of red brick and mortar. The shops include a blacksmith, candle maker, and a silversmith, among others. Inside some of the Colonial homes, the servants are busy with everyday tasks. Students will watch and listen and may ask questions. As they walk through, they will see servants working in the gardens or kitchens of an authentic Colonial home, clothed in the garb of the 18th Century and using implements and foods harvested there and common in that era.

For another type of interactive experience, group leaders may opt to prearrange a lunch or dinner at an authentic tavern in Colonial Williamsburg.

Each of the characters encountered on the streets of Williamsburg speaks in Colonial tongue and has a story to tell about their place in time. The Court House and the Armory have been restored to their former character.

Student groups may watch living history programs in the courthouse specially designed for learning about Colonial law in Virginia, through the eyes of those who were judged. Or, take a student group on an evening tour of the “Ghosts Among Us” or “Pirates Amongst Us” to stimulate their imagination and recollection of the way history unfolded for some.

Jamestown Settlement
Students will love visiting Jamestown Settlement – another full immersion into the 17th Century. Just down the road from Colonial Williamsburg, situated on the James River, is where the first colonists landed in 1607. Board the replicas of the three ships, see a Powhatan village as it was in the 17th Century, and enter the replica of James Fort, the original home of new settlers in this country. Students will hear character actors speak from a variety of perspectives, including: common sailors, maids, Indians, and even the King James I.

Learning about history through books and film can be a great foundation for a student trip to Washington D.C. and Williamsburg. Living history programs provide a more intense and focused investigation into history, one that engages the student and makes a definite mark upon memory. After experiencing the characters of history the memory is attached to a real place.

“The willing suspension of disbelief” is required for a full (and fun) immersion into Early American history. The character actors do an excellent job of bringing all of the props, setting and the stories to life. Teachers can augment the experiential learning by assigning follow-up writing exercises or creating quizzes for students to observe and answer questions while on tour.

For more information about a living history tour of Washington D.C., Mount Vernon and Williamsburg, request a quote.

Articles, New York City

Student Travel Update: New One World Trade Center Graces NYC Skyline

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student travel nyc
The view from the observation deck of One World Trade Center encompasses NY and NJ.

 

by Howard Clemens

For many high school and junior high students today, the tragedy of 9/11 in New York City happened is already a part of history. It happened when many of this age group was young children – or they were not even born yet. As a new generation considers the tragedies of 9/11, the event is already making its way into the shrouds of history.

Students Travel to NYC & See the New One World Trade Center
This year, the new One World Trade Center has arisen, and it is ready for commercial occupancy. Fortune 500 companies and successful tech companies are securing decade long leases on office space.

For student trips headed to New York City, the New One World Trade Center is certainly worth a look. Groups may also want to visit the 9/11 Museum – a separate building nearby.

One World Observatory spans 3 floors and is open for public, ticketed admission. Ask a student travel company representative about group rates and scheduling tickets. A trip to the 100th Floor is a phenomenal way to see New York City from a bird’s eye view and learn more about the history of 911 as well as present day New York.

Workers Hoist the New Sign to Top of Building
As the sign, One World Trade Center, was hoisted to the top of the 1,776 foot building, workers on site took photos. The written signatures and messages of loved ones were visible on the back of the street sign. Many who live and work in New York City lost loved ones: family and friends, work associates and neighbors. After 9/11 the city was never to be the same again, with tightened security and heightened anxieties at large public events. Yet the spirit of New Yorkers has survived the catastrophe, and this new building stands today as a testament to those who were lost – and those who remain.

The project to rebuild the World Trade Center began in earnest post 9/11 as collaboration between government and private industry. It was to illustrate that the U.S. has an indomitable spirit, not easily broken. The building is immense, covering 3,500,000 square feet, including: offices, observation deck, parking and storage and more. Shopping and dining is available beneath the building, as well as PATH and subway train access. One World Trade Center has 70 different elevators and nine escalators. Five elevators are reserved for access to the top of the building where the Observatory is located.

One World Observatory
Student travel groups will be interested in visiting the One World Observatory, an innovative, contemporary space that gives more information about 911 and the new One World Trade Center’s construction, as well as present day New York City.

Timed ticket entry is part of the scheduling for student tour groups, so prompt or early arrival will be necessary. Students will ride the elevator to the 102nd Floor on a sky pod with windows on three sides. As students enter the Global Welcome Center, digital signs in many languages will greet them.

On the 100th Floor of One World Trade Center, students can enter the Main Observatory to see 360-degree panoramic views of New York City and beyond. The sky portal is another observatory where students may enter a 14-foot wide circular disc that opens up an astounding view of the streets below. To find out more about NYC neighborhoods below, students can question the City Pulse – a video monitor system that provides close-up street views.

The new One World Trade Center was designed and built to showcase the latest state-of the-art technologies, and to encourage public engagement. Plus it sets aside three floors for public access and enjoyment, while the floors below are teeming with work and productivity. One World Trade Center offers its tenants a prestigious address, a work environment with a contemporary design and one stupendous view of New York City. Its presence has already enlivened the lower Manhattan neighborhood.

One World Observatory has opened a brand new gift shop called the Gallery at One World. Here, students can obtain exclusively designed mementos of their trip to the top of New York City. Dining at One World Trade Center may be a bit over budget for many student groups or simply inconvenient for touring. Instead, take groups on a walk through the restaurants and stores below the building’s street level to find lunch or dinner.

For more information about seeing One World Trade Center while on tour of New York City, trip leaders and teachers may contact info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City

University of Tampa College Students Take Theater, Dance and Cultural Tour in New York City

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by Howard Clemens

As Liza Minnelli once sang in the Broadway Musical Cabaret “Life is a Cabaret, Old Chum/Come to the Cabaret.” The New York City Broadway Musical is the place where a serious actor, dancer, singer or musician arrives in his or her respective profession. The Broadway Musical, like jazz, is uniquely American. Successful Broadway shows and their creators are respected as the top talent in their profession across the globe.

The Broadway musical is a form of art that takes a multi-talented ‘village’ of people to produce. At the core of this is the acting and singing, as well as staging and costuming. With all of the power of modern technology and imagination Broadway musicals have become even more glamorous then in days past. The sheer spectacle and unbelievable energy of a Broadway show is the reason many want to attend.

Yet for a college student, a trip to New York City may be financially beyond their means – or perhaps they would not see the importance of arranging such a journey.

So, Paul Finocchiaro, Assistant Professor of Speech, Theater and Dance for the University of Tampa, brings his students to New York City whenever he can. They attend several Broadway Musicals and expand their life experiences at the same time. “This helps them to decide at a young age if going to New York City is even for them,” says Finocchiaro. “Some students will go to New York City, while their classmates will go to other cities to pursue their careers,” he added. Orlando is a great city for theater and dance and it’s right in the heart of Florida.

Yet when any theater and dance student reflects upon the trip to New York City, it will be a special memory. Many will attend Broadway Musical(s) for the first time. “On our Trip we saw three different musicals,” said Finocchiaro. “I had the opportunity to talk about how each had a different vibe, style, approach and story line.” The trip further enhances “the variety of subjects being taught on a semester by semester basis,” said Finocchiaro.

Plus the student group interacted with diverse ethnicities and cultures while traveling in and around New York City. Finocchiaro observed, “These students need to see everyday life: neighborhoods, good areas, bad areas, dance classes and all of the offerings of a major East Coast city.”

Speaking of dance classes, students loved the dance class their professor and the student travel company arranged for them to attend. “They were so impressed that the dance captain from Wicked taught it,” said Finocchiaro. “Even the acting major loved it. The talk back at the end was SO beneficial. And of course, they loved being invited to the stage door after the performances. “

For some students, a treasured remembrance may be a chance to visit the most famous sites in America, such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and the 911 Museum and Memorial. These sites can also be included on an itinerary, but for theater and dance students, visits to these sites may or may not be a priority.

One night, the University of Tampa students even visited a cabaret. The student group visited the Iridium Jazz Club. “We saw a different kind of cabaret,” said Finocchiaro.  “The students really enjoyed it, and the food at the Iridium Jazz Club is REALLY GOOD!  That was unexpected,” he added.

At home in Tampa, Florida, Finocchiaro says one of his favorite things to do is walk. “There is the longest continuous sidewalk in America here,” he says, “It’s 7 miles. One side is Tampa Bay and on the other are multi-million dollar homes. This walk is breathtaking every time I do it.” Known by his students as Fino, he also says he’s a fabulous baker and he LOVES landscaping.

To learn more about dance and theater tours of New York City, visit: http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City

An Art Focused Student Trip to New York City

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By Howard Clemens

Desmond Cormier is an art teacher at the Buford Middle School in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has taught at the school for 16 years. Cormier lives at a nearby farmstead with his wife, Virginia, a sheep farmer. He became an educator after many years in an entirely different profession. “My first career was a commercial deep sea diver and I was also involved in the offshore drilling industry for 17 years,” says Cormier. Thanks to the demands of his first profession, he has traveled all over the world.

Now Cormier believes his art students should gain exposure to the world through travel at an early age. Each year, Cormier organizes a student trip to New York City and invites students to take a deeper look at ‘the city that never sleeps.’

“When I was young, I toured all over the world,” says Cormier, “I think it’s a valuable experience to bring these students to New York City and let them see the world through their own eyes,” he added. Basically, Cormier attempts to schedule a class trip to New York City for those interested in taking a long weekend. Student trips to New York City took place in 2013 & 2014. In 2015, Cormier says he couldn’t get the number of students needed to travel, yet he’s planning to travel again with his students over the long term.

While on tour of New York City, students visit world famous art museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cormier says this is an excellent opportunity to take in some masterpieces. “Students see these famous works of art in real life. These artistic treasures are totally different in a museum, in their original form,” he observed.

Touring such large museums may be a daunting endeavor for a teacher and his class. Cormier says “The Metropolitan Museum of Art was overwhelming and MOMA is such large museum it is hard to take it all in.” However, the Guggenheim Museum’s set-up is perfect, because, students have to go from the top down to the bottom. “The way the museum is designed, they have to see the entire collection and exhibitions,” commented Cormier.

In addition to touring art museums as a complement to their studies, students also immerse themselves in the New York City experience. Here there are exposed to the diversity of the U.S. population, by visiting immigrant neighborhoods, and experiencing a lively artistic culture as well as global cuisine choices. “We had dinner in Times Square and the kids loved the excitement of it all. It was Saturday night,” said Cormier. The student group also visited Chinatown, toured the New York Harbor, and saw the Empire State Building, among other sites.

After touring the world, Cormier eventually returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, because it’s home to him. “My wife loves sheep farming. I love Charlottesville, because I am an alumni of University of Virginia and it’s my hometown.” His daughter lives in Charlottesville with his three grandchildren and Cormier also has a son in San Francisco. His views about becoming a well-rounded artist include the incorporation of travel, consideration of great artistic works, and exposure to different cultures, cuisines, architecture and social customs.

Learn more about art tours of New York City.

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Students Travel in U.S. to Learn French & Spanish: New Orleans & Puerto Rico

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by Howard Clemens

Charlemagne once said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” Nothing feeds the soul of another language quite like saturating yourself in the very life of that language through its culture, food and fellow travelers. And it has never been more affordable or easier to make student group travel excursions to the destinations where French and Spanish are currently spoken today. New Orleans and Puerto Rico are two of the finest locations for students looking to refine their second language skills within the United States and its territories.

Saint Louis Cathedral Tour Provides Cultural Backdrop for French in America
French thrives in the much-celebrated French Quarter of New Orleans where on Bourbon Street and Jackson Square the gumbo is as spicy as the music in the birthplace of jazz. St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square is said to be one of the finest surviving examples of French Colonial architecture and is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States. Tours of the cathedral and convent will not only enrich student language skills but will also provide historical context to the use of French in the Americas. The St. Louis Cemetery is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, often shown in films shot in New Orleans and also found in the pages of world-famous novels like those by Anne Rice.

The French Quarter, Students Experience Culture, Cuisine, Language and Society
Part of the legacy of the French Quarter is its cuisine. The French Quarter’s aromas drift through the streets – making any tour a most delicious effort for tasting and speaking French. Mardi Gras World is a living workshop museum with an explosion of breathtaking colorful floats being built from the ground up. The tour takes the mask off the famed parade while at the same time bringing Mardi Gras to life every day of the year. Right in the heart of the French Quarter is the Jackson Brewery. Here, shops have been in operation for over a century, displaying some of the finest jewelry and clothing in Louisiana. There is also the Aquarium of the Americas, where penguins meet the Mighty Mississippi’s alligators, snapping turtles and crawfish.

Student Tours Visit the Acadian Village to Listen to Spoken French in Louisiana
Class trips into the world of spoken French in Louisiana will include visiting the Acadian Village, home of the early peace-loving settlers. Take group tours of original homes – complete with spinning wheels and beeswax candle molds. Learn how corn helped the early community thrive, giving the area its famous grits, hominy and cornbread. Corn husks were also used for dolls, hats, and incense to keep the mosquitos at bay. There are different houses featured on the tour each month, such as the Bernard House built in 1800 with its paintings of settlers first arriving.

Student travelers destined for New Orleans will absorb French culture, cuisine and language and listen to the words and sounds of French spoken in the U.S. as they explore one of the oldest cities in the United States.

Puerto Rico: a Spanish Immersion Tour
Before it was a United States territory, the residents of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico spent four centuries ruled by the Spanish. Spain’s culture and language are the living remains of its former colonial outpost, making the enchanting island one of the best excursions for American students looking for a Spanish language immersion experience, close to the Lower 48. United States citizens do not need a passport to travel to the island of Puerto Rico and the U.S. dollar is the official currency, making the island a convenient destination for student travel groups, especially.

Modern Puerto Rico offers an extraordinary variety of activities from music festivals to surfing and zip-lining through the jungle. Eco-tourists from around the world visit the island for its breathtaking valleys of lush, wild tropical fern and fauna. Tour guides and teachers alike will give hands-on experience taking Spanish out of the classroom and into the world where it lives in the everyday.

Puerto Rican Cuisine: From Ordering to Paying the Bill, Spanish is Spoken
The food of Puerto Rico is legendary. Authentic Spanish colonial foods continue to be a staple in the island dwellers diet. Rich, delicious and nourishing foods such as mofongo, asopa, and lechon, foods whose tastes and names will remain with you the rest of your life. In April Saborea is the largest food festival in the Caribbean, and attracts food specialists and writers from all around the globe. Student trips need to be booked one year or at least six months in advance to plan to attend Saborea. Travelers fall in love with Spanish-style island food on a trip to Puerto Rico.

Also consider taking student groups to the coffee haciendas where Puerto Rico’s world famous coffee beans are harvested and roasted. In this environment, Spanish is spoken widely and casual interaction with Puerto Rican locals is possible.

Puerto Rico has a rich Spanish colonial heritage, which informs the language, cuisine, culture, architecture and the ways of the people. Both English and Spanish are spoken by Puerto Rican citizens. If Spanish is what a class has come to learn, there’s a very agreeable population of native speakers (as teachers) while students tour the island.

Visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com for more information about a French or Spanish Immersion Tour of New Orleans or Puerto Rico.

Articles, New York City, Washington D.C.

A Focus on Student Art Tours of New York City and Washington D.C.

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By Howard Clemens

Artists have been challenging us to see our world in new ways for centuries. Art teachers may want to consider bringing classes on tour of museums in New York City and Washington DC that house the most comprehensive collections of art in the United States. When organizing student tours of these cities it is important to consider these museums. It is no exaggeration to say that lives can be changed for the better by visiting such collections of art. For many students, this may be their only visit to a museum in a large U.S. city. Other students may decide to live in a large city and experience the cultural life firsthand.

The Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art are the three highlighted museums for New York City. The Phillips Collection, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden are recommended stops on the itinerary for Washington DC.

On Fifth Avenue in New York City the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is one of the most recognizable and iconic buildings. The Guggenheim Museum was designed by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. When planning your class trip to New York City, please look at the museum’s online events calendar. Not only are there daily tours of “Art in the Round” but also there are films, and often in-depth discussions on pieces in the collection and even on the building itself. While the Guggenheim houses the private collections of art there are always new acquisitions on view. Check the timing of a student trip and coordinate attendance of special shows at the Guggenheim with a student travel company representative.

Not far from the Guggenheim is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, boasting one of the largest, most eclectic collections of art in the world. This world-class structure houses paintings, arms and armor, furnishings, sculpture and design from every imaginable worldwide location. This is an enormous museum, so please be sure to see their website to plan your visit with specific concentrations on the permanent collection as well as to view current and upcoming traveling exhibitions.

The Museum of Modern Art, known the world over as MoMA, has the most important collection of some of the most astonishing talent the world has ever seen. The permanent collection contains some of the most sought after art by Matisse, Van Gogh, Balla, Rothko, Warhol and others. One of the most popular exhibitions which is on view until January, 2016 is called, “This Is for Everyone: Design Experiments for the Common Good.” The future of design and the technology that is creating the road to that future are highlighted in this strange and beautiful exhibition.

In the heart of Washington D.C., student travel groups may visit the National Gallery of Art and the famous Phillips Collection, as well as the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The National Gallery of Art features painting, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts from the Renaissance to the present day. The Photographic collection dates from 1839. On a pleasant day, student tour groups can wander through the Sculpture Garden. Here students can see art from around the world and the work of artists who either studied or taught at the Corcoran College of Art and Design and went on to distinguish themselves. A Media Arts section is also part of the museum, representing contemporary artists that work in digital media.

Art lovers from around the world travel to the Phillips Collection each year to see the Mark Rothko Room, and other famous paintings like Renoir’s classic “Boating Party.” Georgia O’Keefe, Man Ray and other artists are part of the permanent collection. Paul Klee fans know about the large number of his paintings at the Phillips, and visit often. The museum’s website has comprehensive educational resources for much of the catalog. For instance Jacob Lawrence’s “The Migration Series” is featured on the website. This series of sixty paintings depicts the migration of African Americans from the South to the North in the early twentieth century.

The National Portrait Gallery houses a complete collection of original portraits of the presidents of the United States. Besides presidents, the gallery holds paintings of other great American leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Pop culture Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe and Woody Allen share space with musical giants like George and Ira Gershwin. A visit to the National Portrait Gallery is as much about art as it is history. There are special exhibits detailing trends in America as well as struggles. See portraits of activists for labor rights, civil rights, and Native American activist Leonard Crow Dog, among many other famous Americans.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has a staff dedicated to a deep understanding of art and artist. The museum mission includes the statement, “Good art should elicit a response of ‘Huh? Wow!’ as opposed to ‘Wow! Huh?’” Paintings by Francis Bacon and Joan Mitchell are part of this historic collection. The Sculpture Garden houses some of the most innovative and famous sculptors from around the world, including Brancusi, Rodin, Miro and others. Student tour groups are encouraged to visit the Hirshhorn and learn more with ARTLAB+ and special comprehensive class tours of the collections.

These museums house some of the great treasures of the United States, and visiting them with art classes is part of seeing art as a unique educational tool and framework for not only historical record, but also as a means to forge a better future for humanity and the planet. Artists are the best collaborators a teacher can have. Consider art the classroom itself. Take student groups on tour of these museums to expand their knowledge of art throughout the ages.

For more information about student art tours of New York City, Washington D.C. and other U.S. destinations, visit http://www.educatioanltravelconsultants.com.