International Exchange USA
An Exercise in Perfect Timing
By Ruairi McCann
Chicago (Mount Prospect) Exchange 2010
As an Icelandic volcano coughed its noxious breath all over an unsuspecting Europe, certain Europeans in Chicago were becoming increasingly excited at the prospect of staying a little longer beside the clear blue waters of Lake Michigan, as airlines cancelled all flights back to the Old World. Thankfully, the cloud dispersed a few days before our planned return, much to the frustration of the crestfallen student travellers but to the relief of a couple of grumpy old teachers.
It’s amazing how much you can squash into a mere week. An architectural boat tour along the Chicago River introduced us to some splendid buildings accompanied by the passionate commentary of our guide, a veteran of the Chicago Architectural Society. The mix of neoclassical, neogothic and other styles is striking; the buttery yellow limestone of the Chicago Tribune Tower and the giant steel bracing that criss-crosses the façade of the Hancock building seem to complement rather than alienate each other.
- Many thanks to the teachers organizing the exchange: from SIS Ruairi McCann (left) and Lisa Higgins (2nd from right)
Other visits included: the Art Institute which houses a surprisingly bountiful bundle of French impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Cézanne, Renoir, Degas et al.; the Chicago History Museum, a wonderfully interactive exploration of Chicago’s sometime corrupt but often radical and vibrant past; and a look at Sue, the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Natural History Museum.
On the weekend, the students spent all their time with their host families, often meeting up to drive to fairgrounds (the first Ferris wheel was designed by Mr Ferris for Chicago, apparently), or gathering at a house for a barbecue or bonfire. Some went to a baseball game at Wrigley Field, others visited aquariums, or just hung out with their friends.
Emotional farewells ensued as we boarded the bus for O’Hare airport on the last day. The hugs, kisses and tears are always a sign of a successful trip. We chugged away in our yellow school bus, breathing in for one last time the warm air of Mount Prospect whose farewell sign reminds us that we’re leaving a place “where friendliness is a way of life”.
Interested in applying to go on this exchange?
Dernière modification le 22-10-10 par
