By Daniel Sanchez
Assistant Adviser, The Eagle
This summer students and faculty had the opportunity to visit one of America’s oldest and most historic cities as part of the Northeast Texas Community College travel study course. Students toured historical sites and did some sightseeing all while earning college credit toward history, government, English and art courses.
“I feel the travel study course is very beneficial to students because they get to see things that happened in the past first hand,” professor of government Rex Allen said. “This helps them really see and relate by being where the events of our country’s founding actually took place.”
This year’s trip allowed students to encounter and understand the significance of the birthplace of the American Revolution and many of the events highlighted in history books that took place in Boston.
Some of the highlights of the Boston trip included a bus tour of Lexington and Concord, a ferry tour of the Boston Harbor and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
The Freedom Trail was also a popular spot for the students while in Boston. The path consists of historical markers, notable churches, buildings and graveyards and winds along the downtown area between Boston Common and the Bunker Hill Monument. Each of these points illustrates how America was shaped during the Revolutionary War.
“Visiting one of the oldest cities in the United States with the 2019 NTCC Travel group was a unique adventure,”Associate Professor of Art Debbie Strong said. “We strolled through cobblestone streets and visited historical sites like Paul Revere's home. Everywhere we looked were examples of art, so it was a culturally rich environment for all of us to appreciate.”
The travel study program rotates between cities each year with trips to Washington D.C., Boston and New York. The group will travel to New York City in May 2020 and Washington D.C., in 2021.
Students interested in the summer travel study course should contact Rex Allen at rallen@ntcc.edu. Students can also receive additional information from Mandy Smith at msmith@ntcc.edu or Debbie Strong at dstrong@ntcc.edu.
