Student Experience: Current CELOP Student, Yasmin Almousa, shares her experience at Old Sturbridge Village

in Highlight
November 21st, 2017

By Yasmin Almousa

CELOP Student Yasmin Almousa, second from the right, with her classmates and teacher Olivia Szabo at Old Sturbridge Village.

On the first week of November, my classmates and I were told that we were going to go on a trip the coming Friday to Old Sturbridge Village. I could describe myself as somewhat into history; however, I was not elated at the idea of taking a 1-hour bus ride to a remake of an American town from the 1800s. On the 3rd of November at 9:30am, my classmates and I rode the bus down to Sturbridge. The moment we reached our destination, I immediately sensed an aura of quietness. We were no longer in the city, and I loved it.

We were met with perfect weather and the fresh air swayed through my nostrils. As we entered, I noticed how huge the village was and how many displays there were for us to visit. The atmosphere was very lively yet calming, and there were many visitors; however, the area was big enough to allow us to roam around as we liked. There were many places to visit, and they all told a different story. We began to explore the area and the distractions within, starting at the Oliver Wight Tavern and continuing all the way to the Blacksmith Shop and Freeman Farmhouse.

I truly felt like I was walking through a town in New England during the 1830s. The people in the houses who told the stories of those who lived there, also explained that the buildings were all authentic and had to be brought in piece by piece. I have never experienced anything like that before, as in museums you do not really get to interact with the artifacts, while at Old Sturbridge Village we were.

This trip was not only interesting, but it also taught me a lot about the way of life and culture of New England in the 1830s and I would love to go back!

Yasmin Almousa, center right, with her classmates at Old Sturbridge Village.