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This past weekend, the King’s Honors Program traveled to New York City where they took a guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and explored various art galleries in West Chelsea. The trip was in coordination with College Misericordia’s Honors Program.
“We're interested in expanding not only our knowledge but also our cultural exposure. Seeing issues you've studied from a different perspective helps you to form more educated and sensitive opinions about the world. Whether you're studying history, art, a foreign culture, or social issues, a firsthand experience teaches you more than you'll ever get out of a textbook,” said Gracemarie Mike, Senior and President of the King’s Honors Program.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, students were able to attend a tour of either an Egyptian exhibit or a Greek and Roman Classical Cultural exhibit before having free time to see other attractions within the museum.
“The Egyptian exhibit at the Met was such an interesting experience. There was so much that I had not known about Egyptian culture and civilization that was brought to my attention during the tour,” said Jennie Hampton, a freshman at King’s with a double major in Mathematics and History.
On Friday night, students were able to see a movie in Greenwich Village or simply tour the city by foot, taking in all the extravagant signs and shops while bonding with one another.
“It was an amazing experience that allowed us to not only meet new people but also become their friends,” said Kayla Strach, freshman at College Misericordia.
In West Chelsea, Fred Gray, a working photographer in New York City, toured the various art galleries with the Honors Program providing explanations of the current and past artists and art forms being displayed that day.
“I'm really glad we had the opportunity to experience a great city. I gained a lot of insight from the trip, and I hope everyone else did too,” added Mike.
In the past several years, students in the Honors Program have suggested taking a trip together. When it came to the attention of Dr. William Irwin, King’s Honors Program Director, that College Misericordia’s Honors Program was planning a trip to New York City, he made plans to have the sister schools join forces and plan the trip together.
“The Honors Program has stringent academic requirements, but it also has some great co-curricular opportunities. This trip was a chance to expand those opportunities. It was also a chance to bond and strengthen the sense of community in the Honors Program,” said Irwin.
Students arrived back at King’s at the half circle in front of Holy Cross Saturday evening, exhausted, but plenty more knowledgeable, returning with memories of their participation in the Honors Program that will last until well after graduation. |
