Uncovering the Heart of New Orleans

From November 17 to 21, 18 AIS students explored the lively and historic city of New Orleans, Louisiana. As they learned about the South’s history, they also discovered new and exciting pathways to their futures.

New Orleans, Louisiana is known for its mix of French, Creole, and African culture, making it one of the most culturally distinct cities in the United States. The group’s tours emphasized how this blend has influenced the region’s language, cuisine, religious practices, and artistic traditions, offering students a deeper, academic understanding of the city’s multicultural roots.

As the students explored, they had the opportunity to visit three unique and diverse colleges: Xavier, the only Catholic HBCU in the country; Tulane, a liberal arts university; and Louisiana State University, undoubtedly the most culturally and educationally diverse of the three. At these universities, students learned about the many programs they offer. They toured the campuses and spoke with admissions representatives, making the trip a meaningful glimpse into their future possibilities.

On a food tour around the city, students enjoyed many staples of New Orleans cuisine, including oysters, po’boys, beignets, and gumbo, while also learning about the city’s rich history and the stories behind some of its sites. 

At the New Orleans Museum of Art, students got to explore many different artistic works that helped shape the culture and identity of New Orleans. From statues of unique cultural expressionism to Catholic paintings to fully immersive experiences that explained the history of colonialism and racism in the South, the museum had something for everyone. 

However, the highlight of the trip was most certainly the ghost trip was the ghost tour where a guide shared told stories of ghosts and the arts that still have an impact on New Orleans today, while also exploring cemeteries and gravesites where these stories unfold.