New York City was the destination for a small group of Grinnell College students over spring
break.
The Cultural Immersion Spring Break Manhattan 2009 program, co-organized by Vice-President
of Student Affairs Houston Dougharty and Student Government Association Vice-President of Academic Affairs
Julie Hoye ’09, gave the six traveling students a chance to explore Manhattan
neighborhoods, visit various museums, and experience world-class performing arts, March 24–28.
Among planned activities were two plays, a musical, a modern dance, and a performance at the
Metropolitan Opera. A surprise visit by President Russell K. Osgood and Vice-President and
Treasurer David Clay, who took the group out to lunch at the Yale Club, afforded students the
opportunity to engage in conversation with the College’s president.
Katherine Ni ’09 decided to include the trip in her spring break plans because she had
never visited New York City and liked the people who were going.
She highlighted the opera as an activity she might not have otherwise
experienced. “I’d never seen an opera before, and no one ever makes it sound
like they’re all that entertaining — but it was fun, it was entertaining, and
I’m glad I experienced it — and now I’m willing to go see another
one,” Ni says excitedly. She was also pleased with the chance to explore the city with
friends and to spend informal time with College administrators.
