Palm Springs Students Explore East Coast Colleges on Cultural Tour

More than three dozen high school juniors from the Palm Springs Unified School District traveled to the East Coast over spring break for a college and culture tour aimed at expanding their options beyond California.

The district-funded trip included 36 students. The tour took them across the country to visit universities and cultural landmarks in Washington, D.C.

Christopher Lewis, one of the students selected for the program, said the experience offered insight into campuses he had long wanted to explore.

“What made me want to apply is the insight and enlightenment and exploration of campuses I would get to see,” Lewis said. “It’s a very unique opportunity, and it is a great privilege and honor to do so. It shows that my options aren’t close to just one city, let alone one state.”

Students toured several universities, including Georgetown University, as well as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) Howard University and Morgan State University. The group also visited national landmarks such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

Dr. Karen Dimick, the district’s Director of College and Career Readiness, said the trip is designed to broaden students’ perspectives and help them see themselves in higher education.

“The College and Culture Tour is an opportunity for our students to expand their horizons and see themselves at university campuses outside of California,” Dimick said.

Dimick added that the experience included a number of firsts for students.

“We had students who had never flown before. It was a first time of many opportunities for our students, and throughout the experience, it truly was an all-encompassing journey,” she said.

The program ultimately aims to give every student the opportunity to see themselves pursuing higher education, regardless of their background.

For student Jayde Jones, the tour changed her thinking about where she might attend college.

“Seeing the different colleges and getting advice from college students really changed my mind on if I want to stay in California or not,” Jones said. “It’s very educational. It really does open your eyes and gives you a different perspective of everything.”

The College and Culture Tour is held annually, giving a new group of students each spring break the chance to explore opportunities beyond what they once thought possible.