USA: East Coast Colleges and Culture

Arrive into New York City Airport (LGA) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to your accommodations and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations and an introduction to the local culture.

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.

Overnight: Hostel, New York City

Start your college explorations with a visit to Columbia University and NYU. Begin the morning at Columbia with a guided campus tour and an informational session, exploring the historic Morningside Heights campus and gaining insights into its esteemed academic programs and vibrant student life. 

Afterward, head downtown to New York University for another engaging tour and session, experiencing the dynamic urban campus situated in the heart of Greenwich Village. Spend the afternoon immersing yourself in New York City’s cultural scene with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where you can admire an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. As evening falls, enjoy the excitement of Times Square with a memorable dinner followed by a spectacular Broadway show, capturing the essence of New York City’s unparalleled energy and creativity. This day offers a perfect blend of academic exploration, cultural enrichment, and evening entertainment in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

Overnight: Hotel, New York City

Start the morning with a two hour train ride to New Haven. Begin at Yale with an insightful campus tour and an informational session, where you’ll get a firsthand look at the historic architecture, renowned facilities, and vibrant academic life. After soaking in the university’s rich history and meeting current students and staff, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring Yale Peabody Museum or the Yale University Art Gallery, home to an impressive collection of art from diverse cultures and time periods. The day will culminate in a delightful evening of fun and relaxation, enjoying a rooftop dinner with breathtaking views of the skyline, where you can reflect on the day’s experiences and savor the unique blend of academic and cultural immersion that Yale and its surroundings offer.

Overnight: Hotel, New Haven

Journey to Providence by train to tour Brown University. Begin with an engaging campus tour and informational session, discovering the university’s distinctive open curriculum and vibrant student life. After exploring the beautiful campus and historic buildings, you’ll spend the afternoon strolling through the scenic Waterplace Park, where you can enjoy the serene environment and local culture. As the day transitions to evening, you’ll experience the charm of Providence with a relaxing gondola ride along the river, offering picturesque views and a unique perspective of the city or spend time at the Providence Place Mall shopping. This blend of academic insight, cultural exploration, and evening leisure ensures a memorable and enriching visit to Brown University.

Overnight: Hotel, Providence

Rise early and board the train bound for Boston. Begin your day with immersive tours of two esteemed universities: Boston College and either Boston University, Harvard, or MIT. Engage in informative sessions that delve into each campus’s history and student life. Afterward, dedicate your afternoon to cultural exploration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, renowned for its diverse art collection spanning the globe. As night falls, savor a delightful dinner in Boston’s lively North End, followed by a leisurely stroll along the historic Freedom Trail, where you can absorb the city’s vibrant history and atmosphere.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Overnight: Hotel, Boston

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you reflect on your educational and cultural experiences. 

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.