USA WINTER TRIP

On 27th December, 2016 eleven students from International Turkish Hope School Senior Girls Section made an adventurous trip to USA. While staying at the majestic 'Best Western Plus' hotel they visited three of the most culturally and historically rich states: New York, Boston and Washington D.C. 

They started their journey from New York City where they visited the colossal neoclassical sculpture of Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The originally red copper statue was designed by French designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who gifted it to the United States from the people of France. Although the statue was copper red, it eventually turned green by reacting with oxygen in the air. The statue is a symbol of freedom and a welcoming sight to all who arrive from abroad.

A visit to New York is incomplete without The Empire State Building, which is a 102-story skyscraper located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It is little known that New York was once known as the Empire State and that's where the iconic skyscraper derives its name. It once proudly stood as the world's tallest building for around 40 years but is currently the 29th-tallest. Tourists are allowed to go all the way up to the observation deck where you could bask in the marvel that is New York City.  

Along with the Empire State Building, they also visited the lush green Central Park in Manhattan and the famous Rockefeller Centre which was decorated gorgeously for Christmas. There is also a skating rink, art museum and many more attractions in the famous Rockefeller Center.      

Afterwards the students were thrilled to move on to Washington D.C, the capital of U.S. It is a small city between Maryland and Virginia but full of history and culture. The famous Smithsonian museum in Washington is divided into several themes such as the famous the air and space museum. The majestic museum is decorated with giant models of airplanes, rocket ships, and even NASA rovers from the moon. No visit to the capital is complete without a visit to The White House which is the official residence of the President of the United States. It has been the presidential residence for over two centuries and is rich with history. 

The weather was chilly and wet all throughout New York and Washington. However, in Boston, it was snowing quite heavily. While the students were in Boston, they were deeply inspired by Harvard University and MIT. Both are Ivy league private institutes and has educated some of the greatest minds in the world! 

Throughout the entire trip, the students truly enjoyed themselves and experienced American culture to its fullest. Although they enjoyed sightseeing, they mentioned the street food was the best part. Probably the most memorable moment for the students was the snow because for some, it was their first time experiencing such weather. They had a snow-fight in the backyard of M.I.T, which was a great finish to a great trip. The U.S trip was a great success and very educational, yet fun experience for all the students.