GEAR UP visit to University of Wisconsin

By: Ariel Llamas

Thanks to GEARUP, a few lucky students got to attend the overnight field trip to Wisconsin. Students had to have a 3.0 GPA, write a 3 paragraph essay on why they wanted to attend, and get a letter of recommendation. The students visited the University of Wisconsin in Madison and the University of Wisconsin in Parkside.

Once the students arrived in Madison, they went to an admission presentation, ate lunch on campus, and later went on a walking tour. After that, the students went to a science presentation and got to extract DNA from wheat. As soon as that was done, everyone marched back on the bus and were on their way to check into the hotel. After some free time, the students were taken to Old Country Buffet. They stuffed their faces for an hour, and then they went back to the university to watch the Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois volleyball game. Right after the game was over, the students went back to the hotel and called it a night.

Bright and early the next morning they
were on their way to Parkside in Kenosha. There was a short presentation, and they were given a tour. Next, they got to eat at the campus cafeteria which students thought was much better food than KP’s. Afterwards, the kids got to talk to some of the professors and received some interesting information on how banks dispose of money. Finally, it was time to go and they were on their way back home.

While they were on their way back, they made one last stop at the Jelly Belly Factory. The people gave a tour, and when it was done, each student got a free sample of jelly beans.

If you are eligible to go on field trips, take full advantage of them. I went on the trip, had a good time, met new people, and learned what both universities had to offer.