New Orleans:
Arts, Activism, Celebration

New Orleans is called “The Most Interesting City in America” and it is one of the most diverse, cultural, artistic, historical, and FUN places you’ll ever visit!

Your guide on this adventure is Libby Bolino!

Upcoming Session:

$275
36 educational hours

*Times listed in Central Time.*

Tuesday and Wednesday: Online orientation 6pm-9pm;

Saturday and Sunday: Class outdoors in New Orleans:
10am-4pm

More details about your class:

More about your class:

In your online orientations, your teacher Libby Bollino, an extraordinary New Orleans historian and 10th generation Louisiana native, will introduce you to the city with stories, pictures, videos, and assignments meant to give you a deep understanding of the history and culture of arts and activism in New Orleans. After this, it is time to hit the streets on foot and on trolley in person!

In New Orleans, it feels like the arts are everywhere -- like the city is bursting with the celebration of life. Those same celebrations are also expressions of the need for change, the need for equality – the arts in New Orleans are an intrinsic part of the American civil rights movement.

Writers, musicians, cooks, visual artists, and costume makers have preserved the stories, values, and traditions of people who fought (and continue to fight) inequality. Gay Mardi Gras is amazing and beautiful and fierce, and the street art and murals are world-class. And of course, New Orleans’ beloved jazz music became the soundtrack for the civil rights movement of the 20th century.  

The French Quarter, the vibrant, colorful, musical heart of New Orleans is the start of your visit. This is the city’s oldest neighborhood and the center of the city’s exciting nightlife. You will see famous sites such as Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, the Mississippi River, and St. Louis Cathedral.

You’ll experience the  NOMA Sculpture Garden. Finally, students will learn about the birth of jazz in Armstrong Park. Libby will guide you through Congo Square, the very location where enslaved people gathered to keep their African culture alive, and the monuments to important contributors to American music.

Requirements:

Your course will consist of two live online orientations with your teacher/other au pairs followed by two days out on foot with your teacher in New Orleans. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

You will receive details on how to log in to your online orientation one day before the start of the course. Once the final online class session has concluded, you will have one week to submit your independent coursework and final assignment to your teacher. Students are required to be present during all class sessions. If you have any questions at this time, please email us at aupair@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students who require their certificate sooner than outlined above should request their final assignment in advance by contacting BMCC at aupair@bmcc.cuny.edu. Please note that BMCC needs two days from the date a student submits their final assignment to issue an educational certificate.

If you have any questions at this time, please email us at aupair@bmcc.cuny.edu. Please continue to stay safe.

"I loved visiting the city and the on-site learning. But also the lessons in the classroom were very interesting and fun!! ... Libby's personal stories and experiences were great to listen to and gave an even better idea of the city, the history and the culture."

— New Orleans Class Participant

"It was a wonderful experience, I met new people, places, food and culture!"

— New Orleans Class Participant

"Libby is the best teacher ever. She makes us feel comfortable, motivated and she's so cheerful and nice. I had a really great experience here."

— New Orleans Class Participant