The trip was organized by Telfer students Ben Frid, Kyle Moncrief, and Brittany Rockwell, and consisted of 100 third and fourth year Telfer management students along with Professor LeVasseur.  After a nine-hour bus ride, the students were dropped off at the New York County Criminal Court, a seventeen-story Art Deco courthouse that was built in 1938.  At the courts, students were able to tour the historic facility, attend and observe arraignment hearings, and speak with the court’s Chief Clerk Don Vasty.  After that, students took the subway train to Times Square to take part in the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony, hosted by Sears Holding Corporation and Chief Marketing Officer of Kmart Corporation, Mark Snyder.  After the memorable and noteworthy closing bell, the group took the subway train to the renowned lower Manhattan Financial District, one of the keystones of the global financial system.  Students were able to see the New York Stock Exchange building and the world famous “Wall Street Bull.”  After sightseeing and taking in the atmosphere of Wall Street, students travelled to the United Nations Headquarters.  At the UN, students were able to get a behind-the-scenes view of the organization at work, and even got a chance to visit the world-famous General Assembly Hall where all 192 member States convene for major U.N. meetings.

After the scheduled events, students were given time to tour the city on their own.  Many students explored the vast offerings of Times Square and the surrounding area and took advantage of the Black Friday discount shopping.  Others chose to ice skate at the Rockefeller Centre, wine and dine at the famous midtown Manhattan district, or take a walk through Central Park.  The group of students rendezvoused at 10:30 p.m. at Bryant Park, where they departed for the University of Ottawa.

Overall, students had an unforgettable time in New York City, and had an especially memorable experience at the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony.  Next semester, Professor LeVasseur is planning a trip to Washington, D.C. to witness the heart of American politics- an opportunity that students will not want to miss out on!