ESU Trip to New York:An Experience They’ll Never Forget

ESU student's trip to New York. Photo Credit / Anthony Ruiz ESU student's trip to New York. Photo Credit / Anthony Ruiz
ESU student's trip to New York. Photo Credit / Anthony Ruiz
ESU student’s trip to New York.
Photo Credit / Anthony Ruiz

Laura Jean Null
Staff Writer

Arriving in Manhattan New York on Wednesday, April 20, around 10 p.m., Dr. Adams and 16 of her students were ready to take on the wonders New York had to offer.

After hopping off of the bus and having some free time to spear, they were able to shortly glimpse at the Statue of Liberty standing tall and sturdy in the Hudson River.

Most of the students that went on the trip had never been to New York before, so amazement was the expression that remained on their faces. Adams’ students would soon see, feel and learn lessons of “in heritage, humanity, dignity and hope.”

Their first destination was the Jewish Heritage Museum. The group was spilt into two different tours lasting 90 minutes. The exhibit consisted of three floors of representation with actual items and donations of Holocaust objects. The first floor was Jewish life and culture before World War II.

The second floor focused on the leadings of propaganda, discrimination and separation. The second floor ended with information on the Nazi extermination of the Jews.

Lastly, the ending on the third floor of life was after the Holocaust, rebuilding and reconstructing life. Breathtaking and indescribable for human words, the Museum was a sight that shows the horrors of humans and history, but strength and courage to push forth.

Further, the trip carried on as students traveled to the African Burial Ground. Here students were able to take in the final resting place of 419 skeleton remains.

At this location, the walk-in monument “The Circle of Diaspora,” filled with drawling and symbols that lined the circular perimeter, each one having a significant importance in the African culture. This place of death and virtue was beautiful.

Finally, the ending stop was the 9/11 Memorial site, honoring where 2,983 citizens had died in the September 11th terrorist attack that struck America. The light hitting the water as it fell, surrounded by an enormous square wall with thousands of names engraved was an emotional sight.

This memorial site is more recent to our generation, and within our homeland, so it tugged at many students’ hearts and the tourists who gathered in silence and peace.

This and the two other sites had awakened us students into the reality of the world, the hatred and evil, but the beauty of strength and renewal and determination to never give up.

Email Laura at:
lnull@live.esu.edu