Podcasts

Series: Inside Winterim Trips

Chloe Rose Scolnick, Multimedia Manager • February 13, 2025

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Trip Leaders and Essential Questions

Austria & Germany

Trip leader: Nicole Rudolph

How can we better learn about the history and contributions of the Hapsburg dynasty and the Austro-Hungarian empire? What happened in these areas during World War II? What role do the Viennese international organizations play in global governance in the 20th century?

What unique artistic, musical, and cultural contributions (including to modern psychoanalysis) were made in Austria and Germany?

How can we create an appreciation for various architectural styles, from neo-Romanesque/Byzantine/gothic, to medieval, baroque, and contemporary?
Boston

Trip leader: Pete Slaski, David Cutler

How do laws get passed in the Senate?

How do historic landmarks lead to Boston’s rich history?

How and where are the arts celebrated and displayed in Boston
Costa Rica

Trip leader: Carl Coombs

How do wildlife rescue centers contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in Costa Rica, and what are the challenges they face in protecting native species?

What is ecotourism? Why is it important to the economy of Costa Rica? How does engaging in activities like zip lining, whitewater rafting at Sarapiqui River, and visiting the La Paz waterfalls promote environmental awareness and appreciation for Costa Rica's natural ecosystems?

How does the ability to communicate in Spanish enhance the overall learning experience during the trip, particularly when interacting with local guides, community members, and experts?

What societal factors contribute to Costa Rica's reputation as a global leader in sustainable ecotourism, and how can students apply these lessons to their own communities back home?

How can students and tourists be responsible stewards of ecotourism and cultural awareness when they visit this type of environment?
Italy

Trip leader: Karen Bernanke

What is the historical significance of Sorrento, Capri and Pompeii and what efforts are being made to preserve the culture and traditions?

How are the agricultural products unique to the region, such as lemons, olives, and citrus fruits, integrated into the local cuisine to preserve tradition and promote sustainability?

How has the unique geography and marine ecosystem of the coastline influenced its cultural, economic, and environmental dynamics throughout history?

What architectural discoveries have been made in Pompeii and what do they reveal about daily life in ancient Rome?
London

Trip leader: Paul Murray

How do artists interpret texts and other materials to create performance media that capture a writer’s original intent?

How do audiences reconcile an artist’s reductive or regressive personal opinions with the inspiring art they create?

How does a vibrant and beautiful culture recognize and reconcile the oppressive and harmful ways they accumulated the wealth to build itself?
Panama

Trip leader: Chris Hardman

How and why did US engineers design and build a canal to connect the world’s two largest oceans? What impact did its construction have on global trade and shipping?

How has the United States impacted the history and culture of the Isthmus of Panama?

What features of the ecology of Panama have led to the region’s incredible biodiversity?
Puerto Rico

Trip leader: Mirna Goldberger

How has Puerto Rico's history and culture been shaped by Indigenous, Spanish colonization, and transatlantic slave trade influences, and how has its identity evolved over time?

What are the environmental challenges facing Puerto Rico, how are its ecosystems impacted, and what conservation efforts are being made to protect its natural resources?

What socio-political dynamics define Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, what are the current issues including economic development and political status, and how do migration patterns affect its demographics and social structure?
Spain

Trip leader: Max Holman

How does stepping outside of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a new language help you grow as a cultural citizen?

How could visual and performing arts from another nation influence your personal growth and awareness?

How do this trip's varied locales illustrate the diversity of cultural influences within a civilization?
Switzerland

Trip leader: Cecilia Pan

How has global warming affected glaciers and ice in the Alps?

How does the environment in Switzerland affect its dairy and chocolate industries?

How did the history of Switzerland lead to its language diversity?

About the Contributor

Chloe Rose Scolnick

Chloe Rose Scolnick, Multimedia Manager

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