history – Page 2 – Intensive Learning @ MFS

So many memories … so much food!

April 2, 2016April 15, 2016China

Today we started our day off by having breakfast at 7:30. After breakfast we went on a public bus to go to the Shaanxi Museum at 8:30. The Shaanxi Museum had four different galleries that all related to China’s history and culture. While at the museum we split into teams and had a mini...

The History of Nicaragua

April 2, 2016April 2, 2016Blog Editor

A history of Nicaragua — notes from a lecture by Aynn Setright Nicaragua is divided into three regions, the Miskito coast in the Caribbean named for indigenous people who live there, the central region and the Pacific coast. 1503 — Christopher Columbus came to Nicaragua and the Conquistadores came down from Mexico in search...

Asian Culture: The Middle East

April 1, 2016April 1, 2016Blog Editor

Yesterday, we visited the University of Pennsylvania’s campus to learn about the history of Iraq and Iran and their historical relationship. We had a lecture from two graduates of the school. The first was a man who spoke about stereotypes of Middle Eastern countries vs. stereotypes about the United States. He also had...

The Wonders of Xi’an: Terracotta Soldiers and Biang Biang Mian

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016China

你好！ Today was a eventful day. Sadly it was one of our tour guide’s last day with us. After saying goodbye to Willy at breakfast, we set out to go see the terracotta warriors. We first went to a ceramics shop where workers hand make replicas of terracotta soldiers. They came in many shapes...

Sevilla, Seen From on High

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016Blog Editor

Today we started later than usual, which is unusual for this trip. Usually we woke up around 6/7 to get ready for breakfast at 8, but today we had the luxury of sleeping in until about 8:30/9. From the hostel we embarked on a walking tour of Sevilla, led by a local named José...

Firetowers and Memorials

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016Pine Barrens

Today was quite the day for the Pine Barrens Intensive Learning group. At the start of the day, we learned a bit about the legend of the Jersey Devil, who is said to be from the Pine Barrens. Then, we left school for Wharton State Forest. At the state forest, we broke off into...

Asian Culture: Akshardam Arts & Culture Center

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016Blog Editor

Today we learned about Hinduism and Indian Culture. We ventured out to Robbinsville, New Jersey for a divine experience at the Akshardam Arts & Culture Center. On arrival our vision was blessed with the beautifully crafted marble sculptures and designs. Everything was made of marble that was carved by hand in India, and every inch...

Welcome American Moorestown Friends School!

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016China

Today we started our day early with a 7:00 breakfast at the hotel. Everyone had a choice between an American, British, French, or Swiss-styled breakfast — all of them were delicious. After that we got ready to go to the middle school. The entire group had to split up into two in order to...

Sacred Spaces: Philadelphia Sikh Society and Christ Church

March 30, 2016April 15, 2016Philly Sacred Spaces

We started the day off bright and early with a bus ride to Upper Darby. We ventured to the Philadelphia Sikh Society and learned about their culture in the Gurdwara Sahib. As a group, we were welcomed with open arms by our friendly Sikh guides. We enjoyed wonderful Indian snacks and after that, we...

Xi’an: Ancient History and Dumpling Feasts

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016China

Today we woke up early in the morning. We got out of bed all packed and ready to go at 7 am. We left our hotel in Beijing and took a bus to the Beijing airport. While we were there several students bought Starbucks near our gate. A taste from home! We departed from...

Sacred Spaces: Arch Street Meeting House and Congregation Mikveh Israel

March 29, 2016March 30, 2016Philly Sacred Spaces

We started the morning with donuts and headed to Philadelphia. The first stop we made was at the Arch Street meeting house. There we learned about the history of the meeting house and people who potentially could have attended. Our tour guide informed of the many historical aspects of the house and small details...

Hamburg, By Bike

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016Blog Editor

After breakfast in Bremen, we departed on the 1.5 hour bus ride to Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany. It has the most bridges in the world! Upon our arrival, the group embarked on a bike tour of the central attractions of the city. Some highlights include a tunnel connecting the banks of...

A Walk in the Woods

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016Pine Barrens

Today was a very adventurous day hiking in the Pine Barrens. First, we walked around a museum exhibit about pinelands ecology and industry at the Historic Batsto Village. We learned about the history behind the Pine Barrens, like the glass mills and factories. Also, the group learned that iron and glass was produced in...

About a Thousand Years Ago …

March 23, 2014October 13, 2015Blog Editor

… or longer, someone in the Fox clan carved this into the cliff face so that people would know that this is where the Fox family lived. Foxes been going for a long time!...

Exploring Pueblo Cultures: On Museum Hill

March 21, 2014October 13, 2015Blog Editor

The kids are, I hope, blogging about our day, but here’s my own journal. Yesterday was pretty much what you’d expect from a day-long trip. Lots of waiting, less than spectacular food, the exhaustion that comes with sitting all day. But all flights were on time, and all connections worked perfectly, and we arrived...