See Lady Liberty On An Educational Trip To New York

New York has a lot to offer students and teachers embarking on an educational trip across the pond. To gather an understanding of the origins of the USA on modern-day Americans through the country’s history of immigration, a visit to Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum are essential. Both offer great learning opportunities for students, as well as a view of the iconic American landmark the Statue of Liberty.

Ellis Island

There is no doubt that Ellis Island is a significant landmark for modern-day Americans. You can find the historical site just south of Manhattan in New York. Historically, Ellis Island is known as the Gateway to America; between the years of 1892 to 1944, over twelve million people passed through on their way to the country. For Americans, this immigration station represents the start of their family’s life in America. It has been estimated that for almost half of the Americans currently living in the country, at least one person in their family tree passed through Ellis Island.

Immigration Museum

Part of the experience is the Immigration Museum, a great place for students to learn more about the history of this national landmark. The museum tells the story of the twelve million immigrants who passed through the Gateway to America using a variety of media, such as videos, oral histories, photographs and videos. This multimedia approach ensures that young minds can truly understand what it was like to come to the US as an immigrant through Ellis Island. There are several exhibits focused on American history and how to country was impact by immigration.

The Statue of Liberty

There are two especially moving exhibits in the Immigration Museum that should be on the itinerary for anyeducational trip to Ellis Island. The American Immigrant Wall of Honor celebrates the immigrant experience. Here you will find over 700,000 names of Americans who made the journey to the USA, along with a great view of the infamous Statue of Liberty. From here you can also see the New York skyline, so it really is a highlight of any visit. The American Flag of Faces is another exhibit that will enthrall students. The interactive display showcases photographs of families and individuals which together creates the American flag. It is an appropriate illustration of how immigration has formed the country that exists today.

A visit to Ellis Island and the adjoining museum is a great way to teach students not only about immigration in the United States, but also back home in the United Kingdom. Current affairs topics such as multiculturalism are bound to surface after a visit to this destination, which is why it is an appropriate and interesting stop on any educational trip. With so much to take in, embarking on the trip with a specialised educational travel tour operator is the most efficient way to do it. It will give your students countless learning opportunities and ensure that you see all the sights in a hassle-free manner.

Author Plate

John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.