The Lee Honors College has established a set of new "courses" revolving around a simple concept—student learning through exposure and experience. The Study in the States program offers students in the LHC the opportunity to experience a set of diverse activities for the cost of a three credit-hour course.
The inaugural, first set of experiences included: Memorials & Monuments of 9/11, AirVentures Oshkosh, The Beaver Island Experience, and Journey Through Hollowed Ground. A link is available at the bottom of this page to learn more about the trips.
Recently, a group of students and staff returned from 'Memorials & Monuments of 9/11.' The trip took students out of the classroom on a multi-state journey through one of the U.S.'s most remembered and tragic historical events.
Six students from diverse majors (Political Science, Economics, Speech Pathology and Audiology—to name a few) in their sophomore year or above, participated in the trip. They traveled to Pennsylvania, D.C., and New York to see sights that they had never before seen—of the six students who attended, most of them had never been to any of the locations.
Aside from experiencing large segments of American History, the group was also exposed to different ways of life. In New York, the students experienced the subway system for the first time. In Washington D.C., the students got to eat at one of President Obama's favorite lunch spots.
"I think there's so much potential for these trips," said Associate Dean of the Lee Honors College, Dr. Carla Koretsky. "Students experience so much, it's an opportunity for faculty development, and Alumni can get involved as well." Several alumni volunteered their time to meet with students on this trip. As another example, an Alumni volunteered his entire home for student lodging on one of the other trips. To learn more about Study in the States, click here; to learn more about the Memorials and Monuments of 9/11 trip, please continue reading).
The Journey
The group first traveled to Pennsylvania to see the Flight 93 Memorial, which is not yet completed. Koretsky noted that most students were not old enough to have the contextual information to understand the actions that occurred on 9/11. "They mostly remember being in school when these events occurred, and didn't fully understand what was going on."
Next, the group made their way to Washington D.C. for a tour of the Capitol, to see Falling Waters, and meet with some Bronco Alums. Mike Noblet (BBA '04, Marketing; Lee Honors College), who works for Michigan Senator Levin, met with the students in one of the committee rooms and spent nearly an hour discussing what it's like to work in D.C. —and the path he took to get there. He also offered the amazing opportunity for follow-up networking with all of the students.
The group ventured through tight security to the Pentagon, where they were able to walk past the crash site and view the memorial chapel.
On a lighter note, the students were able to take a segway tour of D.C. Although there were three crashes, no one was injured.
Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were also a part of the trip, and students had the opportunity to explore the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum (among others).
Tristan Brown (BS '05, Environmental Studies; Lee Honors College), a Berkeley Law student who holds an internship at Andrews Air Force Base, took the students to the top of the Kennedy Center for a truly unique experience.
Next, the group traveled to NYC where they diverted from the purpose of the trip (just for a moment) to see the Friends house and Seinfeld Restaurant from the popular television shows.
The students stayed in a hotel that was directly next door to the 9/11 memorial—they could see it out the window. They got to experience a true 'sense of place' when they viewed the footprint pools and saw the names of those who did not survive the World Trade Center attack.
The group also toured Ellis Island, walking though the structures as so many immigrants did to gain entry to the United States. They were able to understand the many tests an immigrant had to pass to eventually become a citizen.
In sum, the students learned about history, people, and other places—for the amazingly low rate of one class. All other expenses are covered by the Lee Honors College.
To learn more about Study in the States, please follow the link below:
WMICH.EDU — LEE HONORS COLLEGE STUDY IN THE STATES
The group photo above pictures the six students, Dean Koretsky and Jessica Bigley, academic advisor for the LHC, who also attended the trip.