Technology, history and the people of New York were some of the highlights for Logan Park High School pupils on a recent trip to the United States.
A group of 13 pupils and eight adults (including teachers and parents) spent 13 days in the US taking in Washington DC and New York City.
The trip combined historical attractions such as the Gettysburg Memorial and iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty.
A trip to Google offices in New York also hinted at the future.
Highlights were varied.
Pupil James Mitchell said he was impressed by the human achievements celebrated at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.
Displays of past Nasa space missions to the moon stood out.
"It was really cool to go and see stuff like that,'' he said.
Pupil Stella Cooper said she really enjoyed seeing the people of New York as the group made their way through the city. For pupil Louis Whitburn the 9/11 museum stood out.
Social studies teacher Paul Fielding said walking among great monuments in Washington DC made him realise he was "a bit of an American history buff''.
He enjoyed exploring museums and art galleries, but the short visit had whetted appetites for more.
"Each museum and art gallery you needed five or six hours and that was only a touch of it. We were always feeling `we've only got a taste of it here'.''
The tourists also had the chance to go behind the scenes at Google in New York, hosted by engineering lead for emerging markets Patrick Leung.
It was an example to pupils, Mr Fielding said.
"If you set your goals high, you can end up here as well.''
JOSHUA.RIDDIFORD @thestar.co.nz
