Upper and Lower Sixth Economics Trip to New York
15 - 21 February 2009
New York, 'The Big Apple', is indisputably the busiest single commercial and capitalist districts in the world, as well as being among the most intensely and diversely used pieces of real estate in the world. On 15th February 2009, 12 lower and upper sixth boys, accompanied by Mr Castle and Mr Grills, spent 4 days learning about why this diverse and economically powerful city became known as the economic capital of the world.
The trip started with an organised tour of the financial district highlighting the 'Buttonwood Agreement' and the birth of the stock market. Students also learnt about Alexander Hamilton, the father of the American finance and banking system. This was followed by a trip to the Rockefeller centre to see how the 'Robber Baron', J D Rockefeller built his empire in New York.
The second day included a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island giving the students an opportunity to experience the effect that immigration had on the United States. In the evening the boys attended a basketball match at the world-famous Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
On the third day the boys visited the Museum of American Finance where they were able to see some of the methods used by financial traders to buy and sell stocks and shares over the past 10 years. It was also an opportunity to see the original 'bonds' used by George Washington to buy Louisiana from Napoleon Bonaparte. In the afternoon the boys visited Macy's - the worlds largest store, where they were given a tour of how it operates.
The final full day gave the boys the chance to visit the Federal Reserve Bank, to see and for some touch the gold bullion on which the Amercan economy is partially based - and yes, there is still some there! In the evening the boys attended a Broadway production.
Many thanks to all those that took part.
RIC
