Photo By Staff Sgt. Candice Harrison | Master Sgt. Martin Siekela, Slovakian armed forces, observes the Baltimore harbor...... read more read more
Subscribe
BALTIMORE - The international students of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, out of Fort Bliss, Texas, embarked on their annual Field Studies Program excursion to the nation’s capital via Baltimore, April 27, 2013.
The FSP trips allow the international students to witness firsthand American culture and history by traveling to different areas throughout the U.S.
The first day consisted of arriving at the East Coast city, checking in to hotel rooms and visiting the World Trade Center here. In the past, the students have had the chance to visit Washington. This was the first time Baltimore was added to the itinerary.
On April 28, the students began their trip with a brisk walk to the Baltimore Inner Harbor to visit the historic vessels USS Constitution, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney, USS Torsk and the Chesapeake Lightship.
“My favorite part of today was the history of the ships,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sheldon Beaupierre, a student at USASMA serving in the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force – Regiment. “What was extremely interesting is how come they were able to preserve the ships. … It was nice to see, one, how they built the ships, and two, how short the decks were.”
Beaupierre represents one of 32 international countries represented at USASMA. The International Military Student Office ensures each international student receives an American student sponsor as well as any other assistance he or she may need while adjusting to the nearly yearlong school.
“My stay here, and these trips in America have enlightened me in terms of the history. Where I come from in the Caribbean, I would know about America,” described Beaupierre, who has been an infantryman for more than 24 years. “You watch the movies on TV and stuff like that, but actually being here and learning about the history, you can see it live.”
After visiting the inner harbor, the IMSO group took a water taxi to Fell’s Point, Md., a historic district east of the inner harbor.
Tour guides dressed in pre-Civil War era costume led the students through the streets while providing information about ship building, immigration and lifestyles of people during that time.
“It brings a new sense of reality and puts into perspective how America developed, and what part the development of America played on us back in the Caribbean,” reflected Beaupierre.
Baltimore’s weather was in striking contrast to that of El Paso, Texas, where the USASMA students have been residing during their time at the academy. As compared to the dry desert environment, the lush, green plants and drizzly weather reminded many of the students of their home countries.
“(Baltimore) reminds me of Europe. Maybe because of the influence from Europe,” said Sgt. Maj. Ivan Hladik, from the Czech Republic armed forces. “All the people here, the green, the food and the different cultures.”
The day ended with the group having a dinner together at a restaurant in the Little Italy section of Baltimore. The large horseshoe-shaped table encompassed all 35 international students, the few family members who joined them and the chaperones from the academy.
Hladik ordered the chicken Parmesan offered on the menu and called it “schnitzel,” jokingly, after one of his country’s native dishes, another reason Baltimore reminded him of Europe.
They joked as if they had known each other for a very long time and they ate as if they were family.
The camaraderie of the students transcended cultural differences between each other, and the country in which they have become temporary residents.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2013 21:50 |
| Story ID: | 106263 |
| Location: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, IMSO arrives in Baltimore, begins annual trip, by SSG Candice Harrison, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT