Business students experience a slice of the Big Apple

A lucky bunch of Selby College Business students have recently returned from a dream trip to New York, where they spent five days exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of Manhattan! The group, which included both A Level Business and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Business students, all said the experience “completely exceeded” their expectations.

Following the success of last year’s visit, Trip Leader and Business Lecturer Rehanah Hussain was delighted to organise another jam-packed itinerary for their whistle-stop tour of the island borough of New York.

After flying out from Manchester Airport on Monday 2nd March they arrived into JFK mid-afternoon, checked into their West 25th Chelsea hotel located near Madison Square Park and the iconic Flatiron Building and headed straight out to explore the local area, which also included a walkabout of Times Square and Broadway before getting the Subway back to the hotel.

On their first full day, Tuesday 3rd, the students headed to the world-famous Macy’s department store for a tour and talk and a spot of shopping, followed by a visit to Fifth Avenue - taking in the historic Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station - before a much-needed rest of the legs at the Comfort Diner for a group meal where they feasted on Philly cheese steak sandwiches and macaroni and cheese!

On Wednesday 4th, the group experienced one of the most memorable parts of their trip at the Observatory on top of the One World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero, as well as the architecturally impressive Oculus, the New York Stock Exchange and Chelsea Market Food Hall. Some of the students headed off to Madison Square Garden to watch the Basketball game between New York Knicks and Utah Jazz.

Then on their final full day on Thursday 5th, the students went on to visit Wall Street and posed in front of the famous lucky Charging Bull, took a trip to Staten Island and the Brooklyn neighbourhood of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) to take in the views of Manhattan Bridge and walked across Brooklyn Bridge. The group also enjoyed exploring the High Line – an elevated linear park on a former railroad, spanning 1.45 miles.

On their final day the group got to explore Central Park before heading home. The trip was yet again a huge success and the group experienced so much during their visit, not forgetting the cookies, cheesecake, fried chicken and dollar pizza they tried!

Speaking about their trip highlights, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma student Miles Loveday, 16, who previously attended Selby High School, said: “The highlight for me was finding out the history behind the buildings, especially the Chrysler Building. I’d always wanted to walk across Brooklyn Bridge, it was totally breath-taking! I also loved visiting One World Observatory, that was a real highlight for me - seeing the amazing views across the city. It’s great that the College organised the trip. We packed in so much in a small amount of time. ”

Fellow student, Lauren Shirley, also 16, who previously attended Barlby High School and is studying A Level Business, added: “It blew away all my expectations, just getting there and seeing everything when I’ve wanted to go for so long. After telling my parents about everything we experienced on the trip they really want to go as well!”

Lecturer Rehanah Hussain said: “The organisation of this trip is completely worth it to see the students enjoying such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For some, it was the first time they had been abroad, on a plane or got a passport, which is why we were so keen to pack in as much as we possibly could. I managed to walk 24,000 steps one day!”

She added: “To see how much they all get out of the experience, including seeing the theory they learn in the classroom being put into practice is just fantastic, it’s great to be able to give them such a positive, lasting impression.”