Destination Destiny partnered with Chicago’s King College Prep High School to again answer the question – How do schools and the community partner to unlock a student’s future potential? Our role was to provide complementary learning experiences outside the classroom. To expose students to something more meaningful and deeper than just focusing on themselves.
We offer a special thanks to Delta Airlines for their support of this student learning experience. Conditions outside our control changed the trip schedule and timing. Delta partnered to adjust our flight and enabled students to experience a cultural journey through several additional historic European cities.
Please enjoy this pictorial recap of Study Beyond 2018.
The Destination Destiny Ambassadors from King College Prep High School met at the school to prepare for travel. The Principal, David Narain and Assistant Principal, Lynda Parker provided words of encouragement and direction. We loaded the bus, headed to the airport and boarded the flights on Delta airline.
Upon arrival in Paris France, the Ambassadors were met by their host families from Lycée Colbert their Sister Cities International sister school. Engaging in total immersion expanded their understanding of the French language, culture, and customs. They also participated in a classroom roundtable discussion with the French Students of Lycée Colbert.
The Ambassadors visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge and other landmarks in Paris with their pen pals or as a group.
The Ambassadors boarded the high-speed train – TVG, heading south to NICE to continue their learning experience. In Nice, they visited the Matisse Museum; the Musee Contemporary Art Museum; the Promenade des Anglais Negresco hotel and the Old City(Vieux Nice). They were also provided free time to shop, explore and interact with the locals.
We journeyed to Monaco and Eze on a day trip. In Monaco we saw the Prince’s Palace; the changing of the guards; Saint Nicholas Cathedral – site of the grave of Grace Kelly; the Casino Monte Carlo; and the AS Monaco Soccer Stadium. In Eze, we visited the Parfumerie Fragonard. Back in Nice we also saw the Russian Orthodox Cathedral St Nicholas and the Village of St. Paul.
We continued to the port city and capital of northwest Italy’s Liguria region, Genoa. There we visited the Aquarium of Genoa; the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its black-and-white-striped facade and frescoed interior; the Palazzo Ducale and the 18th Century childhood home of Christopher Columbus. We drove to the Port of La Spezia, Italy’s main naval station and arsenal. Next was the Cinque Terre, a string of five centuries-old seaside villages: Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Vernazza.
In Milan the global capital of fashion and design we toured the Sforza Castle; the Piazza Mercanti – the central city square of Milan; the Teatro alla Scala Opera House; the Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral; the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent – housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural; the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – the world’s oldest active shopping mall. In Pisa, located in Italy’s Tuscany region at the Piazza dei Miracolisaw, we saw the iconic Leaning Tower; the Baptistry; the Bell Tower; the Romanesque, striped-marble cathedral that rises next to it. In Manticarlo, Italy we toured the Tattoria Poggio Farm to learn the process of making olive oil and had lunch featuring freshly made pasta, bread, and olive oil.
In Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, the Duomo – a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome; the Ponte Vecchio Old Bridge; the Palazzo Vecchio – the town hall of Florence; the Piazza della Signoria with its copy of Michelangelo’s David statue; the gallery of statues; the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore; the Piazza della Signoria; the Baptistery of Saint John; the Gates of Paradise; the Basilica di Santa Croce – the principal Franciscan church. Last we shopped at the San Lorenzo Leather market after learning how leather is processed.
In Parma, a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna we learned how Balsamic Vinegar is made at the Giusti family production facility and how prosciutto is processed at the Salumificio La Perla family production facility.
As a result of this exposure, minds were expanded and their view of life broadened. The Ambassador’s embraced those cultures that seemed completely alien to our own and were glad they embraced it. Their experience will not be fully appreciated till later in life, but we have laid the foundation for them to see the world is bigger than their block, to have a great respect for other cultures and possess a global perspective.
We returned to the U.S. through New York arriving back at the school late Wednesday evening. Thank you to Chicago Public School system / King College Prep/ the parents / local political officials / community and corporate organizations / individual donors who partnered with Destination Destiny to unlock the future potential of these students.
Please join us in continuing to offsetting some of the cost of trips like these for students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in such an experience.
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Cultural exposure fund
We immerse students in environments to bring awareness that, “The world is bigger than their block.” These exposures shape their possibilities by expanding their world view.