Sociology students have just returned from a trip to the breathtaking New York where they were able to explore aspects of inequality, culture, immigration. They investigated social justice in a city which has been an arena for some of the greatest struggles and events that helped shape the western world.

Students took a boat trip past the Statue of Liberty to the Ellis Island Museum, discovering the history of immigration to the United States, visited the 9/11 museum and memorial and went to the One World Observatory built on the site of the World Trade Centre. The group learnt about the life stories of immigrant families in the 1800s and their struggles at the Tenement Museum before a talk by Dorothy Zellner at the Centre for Social Innovation. Dorothy explained how she marched, protested, was arrested and sometimes assaulted for attempting to uphold values regarding equality for all and social justice. Before departing, students managed to squeeze in a trip up the Empire State building – a fantastic art deco structure, demonstrating American achievement and pride.

Students and staff thoroughly enjoyed the truly fascinating trip.

Kundai Maburutse, second year student said, “The New York trip was amazing! My favourite part of the trip was seeing the cultural diversity across the same city, in particular when visiting Brooklyn, Little Italy and Chinatown.”

Megan Stewart, first year student said, “It was an experience of a lifetime. My favourite moments were going up the Empire State Building and visiting the Rockefeller Centre.”