In 2012, Senior Summer School is excited to offer Albuquerque, New Mexico. This wonderful city, the largest in its state, provides a glimpse into the beautiful Southwest and the long, proud history of the region, including Spanish conquistadors, Southwest native American tribes and their architecturally unique pueblos, the taming of the Wild West, military garrisons, and the integration of all of these cultures into a modern urban landscape.

Geographically, Albuquerque includes both the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande – a river classified as ‘exotic,’ since it runs through a desert – and its climate is sunny and dry. Its striking architecture is inspired by the Southwest Indian culture (the Pueblo Revival Style established by John Gaw Meem in his commissioned design of the University of New Mexico beginning in 1933), as well as the influx of settlers with the introduction of the Railroad in the late 1880s, who brought the universally popular Victorian and Gothic styles to the city. Albuquerque was also a stop on the legendary Route 66, allowing it a robust tourist trade from 1926 to the 1980s, when the trail was officially decommissioned. Today, downtown Albuquerque boasts a uniquely decorative nighttime cityscape, with many of its high-rises fully illuminated in bright colors.

The city is home to 300 visual arts, music, dance, literary, film, ethnic, and craft organizations, museums, festivals and associations, a reflection of Albuquerque’s rich history and its diverse cultural experience.

During our Senior Summer School session, we’ll explore a number of places and things Albuquerque has to offer, as well as take a day trip to nearby Santa Fe. We’ll study the history of the area, partake of its unique cuisine, and explore the city’s vast cultural and artistic contributions. With the MCM Elegante Hotel – just minutes from downtown and the University – as our home-away-from-home base, we’ll explore the city and the region in style and comfort.

ALBUQUERQUE PROGRAM DETAILS