Smithsonian Student Travel | Student Journey | New York & Denmark
All programs that visit New York are contingent on the reopening of Smithsonian Institution museums.
Highlights
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Explore the socially responsible design at the Cooper Hewitt museum
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Hike around CopenHill, Denmark’s clean energy plant and ski hill
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Participate in a day-long makerspace design challenge with Danish peers
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Talk with LEGO Builders about innovation and the future of the LEGO brick
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure ● Travel Day
New York City ● 3 days
Begin your program with a deep dive into design in New York, a world-renowned hub of creative endeavor. Explore the ways in which New York’s creativity spills out from its artistic center into every fiber of design as you head off-Broadway for an improvisational theatre class, then explore how art and theatre blend temporary creations with sustainability and permanent change. Visit the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and immerse yourself in its collections, from art to fashion to architecture. Establish a foundational understanding of the principles of design and the evolution of design trends through the ages. With this context, head out to experience the city through the lens of design—visit icons of architecture, explore how green space is embedded into the design of the city, and meet with an urban designer to discuss the future of land use and city designs that seek to incorporate concepts of community, connection, and sustainability. See how these ideas have been manifested with a walk along the High Line, an abandoned section of elevated railway that was converted into a public park and greenway, and then explore some of Brooklyn’s most creative rooftop farms.
Copenhagen ● 3 days
Odense & Aarhus ● 3 days
Billund ● 3 days
Return ● Travel Day
Local Experts
The local expert(s) highlighted below are examples of professionals that will join the group at various points throughout the itinerary to add their expertise and insight to the program theme.

Mike Sullivan, Educator and play expert
Mike, a native of New York, has lived in Denmark since 2013 with his family. He received his bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Amherst College and a master’s degree in public anthropology from American University, before spending several years designing exhibits at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and teaching English in Honduras. He has managed youth entrepreneurship programs in Washington, D.C., featuring the design and development of sustainable community gardens. Additionally, he has held a variety of exciting roles from wilderness camp director to school teacher. Most recently, Mike worked at the Denmark-based LEGO company as an expert in playful learning, where he developed workshops and programs for students and teachers. He is the founder of Anthroplayology, as well as the founding director of Denmark’s only pop-up junkyard playground, WhatBox. He has collaborated with MIT, Harvard, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Experimentarium, and is an expert on playful learning settings and strategies. Mike will spend time with our group in Billund.

Flemming Anders Overgaard, Architect, designer, and educator
Flemming, an award-winning architect, designer, and educator, received his Ph.D. from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture, Design, and Conservation. He is the co-founder of Keingart, a Copenhagen-based design firm that creates “kinetic spaces” encouraging play, movement, and interaction, which received a gold medal for the best outdoor sports facility in the world from the International Olympic Committee in 2015. Among his other designs are the Bellahøj State Sports School, where students integrate exercise with their school day; a rope forest playground in Copenhagen; and a sports center in Aalborg that has a vertical maze and café. His work bonds urban environments with physical expression, using light and color to connect people with architecture. He has also been an instructor at the Royal Danish Academy’s School of Architecture, the Danish Construction Association, and the Danish Architects’ Association. Flemming will join our group in Copenhagen.
What to Expect
Physical Activity
Accommodations
Climate
Meals
Cuisine
Language
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