The travelers were required to pass through many stations on their way to the exit into the New World. The first was a general background check, followed by vocation, character, health, clearance, and finally the loyalty oath station. If the immigrants did not qualify at one of the stations, they had the right to visit the appeals station. Some were detained simply because the official filling out their paperwork made a mistake! Some lost the challenge and were ultimately deported. The vast majority succeeded in making their case.

Immigrants knew that the trip was long and the wait at the last stage of their trip could seem as long as all the weeks of travel put together. They came prepared with games to pass the time and food from the home country. Some even brought a few treasured items, such as a musical instrument, or photos of the family left behind.

After spending what seemed like an eternity in steerage, the passengers of the SS Friendship disembarked in a new land. With some luck, they would meet the qualifications necessary to pass through Ellis Island and on to a new life in the United States.

Transported one hundred years back in time, the students dressed as immigrants from many countries around the world. Their steamship, the SS Friendship arrived at Ellis Island at 1:00 p.m. After a long wait in the harbor, the immigrants traveled down the long gangplank to the island.

Next, they were herded into a long line to await their turn in the Great Hall.

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The Grand Story