NEW YORK CITY DAY TRIP

December 2018

Global Studies and the Watkinson Creative Arts Program (CAP) took a day trip to New York City. While there, Global Studies visited the United Nations building, took a tour of the Tenement Museum, ate a traditional chinese lunch, and saw the show "The Band's Visit" at night.

New York City Day Trip: Event

I had mixed feelings on “The Band’s Visit”. I think that I probably would have understood more and appreciated it at a deeper level if it had been earlier and everyone wasn’t so tired. I think that the humor was a little to advanced for the kids (people kept laughing and I had no idea why). I personally had trouble following what was going on. It was probably a really good play, I just didn’t understand it. It didn’t really capture many themes that we have been looking at in Global Studies. It did bring two different communities together, but it was more focused on romance and play-like themes than anything in terms of their similarities and differences. The music was what I liked about the play. I thought it was really engaging, but I don’t think that the last song was necessary (after the applause).
I really liked the UN tour, and I found it really interesting! It was cool to be so close to where these crazy big decisions are made and the art was really nice. I enjoyed learning about the different locations around the building. The genocide discussion was interesting, but it was not my favorite thing we did that day. I had trouble focusing, but that was probably just me. I thought our tour guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer a lot of questions, but it was difficult to here what he was saying because he talked very quietly. I think that if I were to go there again I would like to learn more about the decisions they made and the process of the UN than the art, but I thought that the tour was really interesting overall.
On the trip, I would give myself a 1.5-2 for effort. I think that at the beginning of the day, I was very attentive and listened to what the tour guide said. I struggled with participation, as I didn’t really know what to say, but I focused and learned a lot. As the day went on, I started to lose my focus. I paid attention well at the UN, though. I am not entirely sure what my effort grade would be because the only reason I wasn’t talking very much was because I just didn’t have any questions.
Of all five of the Watkinson traits, I think I gained a lot of trait number five on the trip to NYC (constructing multicultural competence and gaining empathy through my learning). Through the genocide presentation and discussion, I was able to develop a lot more empathy and understanding for others because I knew more about the struggles they might be facing. I think that I also gained a lot of empathy.

New York City Day Trip: About

New York City Day Trip: Pro Gallery