Boston

Fly from home to Boston and kick off your adventure. We’ll review our global pillars and dive into the big driving question that will guide our week.

Hop on Boston’s public transit and start exploring like a local. Step aboard a narrated historic cruise with the Charles River Boat Company for a water-level view of the city’s iconic landmarks. Then, wander through the North End and uncover the neighborhood’s fascinating history of immigration—from Irish and Jewish communities to today’s well-known Italian heritage. Along the way, stop at four legendary eateries for a sweet or savory treat. Meet bakery owners and managers who will share family stories and community legacies that have shaped the North End for generations.

Travel by public transit to the African American Museum, where you’ll take part in an educational session about how Boston’s neighborhoods developed and why immigrant communities settled where they did. Step into Vilna Shul, a cultural center inside a historic synagogue, and hear how it continues to be a gathering space today. You might grab lunch at Harvard before an evening at Lehrhaus, a Jewish tavern and house of learning dedicated to food, joy, and community. Wrap up the day with a workshop led by a local guide.

Ride a coach bus to East Boston and get your hands in the dirt at Eastie Farm during a gardening workshop, then join a mural and community garden walk to see climate justice in action. In South Boston, roll and fold your own dumplings in a cooking class with Mei Mei Dumplings, where inventive flavors meet sustainable, local ingredients. Continue to Dorchester to visit Commonwealth Kitchen, a nonprofit incubator for BIPOC and women-owned food businesses, and connect with local entrepreneurs. If the schedule lines up, end your night with the excitement of a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

Take a coach bus to the Armenian Museum of America for an interactive discussion on the history of genocide and the Armenian community in Boston. Savor lunch at Jana Grill before stepping into the rhythms of Armenian culture with a dance class from the Sayat Nova Dance Company. Split into small groups to visit local bakeries and markets, each group receiving cash to buy treats and chat with owners about their business history. Later, share your finds and stories during a neighborhood debrief and treat tasting. 

Use public transit to explore Somerville through a community walk and asset mapping activity. Learn about Brazilian and Portuguese immigration, visit Mercado Mineirao to buy a snack or drink to share, and spot community hubs, gathering places, and cultural signs along the way. Optional add-on stops might include Brazilian pastry shops, small eateries, or the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers. Head to Cambridge for a cooking session at Nibble Kitchen, a hub for culinary-cultural exchange and immigrant entrepreneurship. In the evening, enjoy candlepin bowling—a quirky New England twist on the sport—followed by pizza at Sacco’s Bowl Haven.

Say goodbye to Boston and fly home, bringing back new skills, flavors, and stories from a city where history, culture, and community come alive.