England - Overview

• Premier Cambridge summer program for students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12
• Study abroad and immerse yourself in British culture and academics
• The Princeton Review SAT or ACT Preparation
• Sports Plus in Rowing, Soccer, and Tennis
• Cambridge Film/Art Festivals, Shakespeare Theatre
• June 30 departure from the U.S, with July 1 arrival in the U.K.
• 3 weeks in Cambridge + 1 week in London, England 

Special Options include:

• Optional 3 Day Get Away Paris Excursion Weekend
• Optional college credit available

Why England?

Great Britain is the birthplace of much of American culture, language, and tradition. With its prestigious universities, lakes and rivers, castles and cathedrals, gardens and museums; England charms students and travelers from around the world. Summer Discovery students benefit from an introduction to university life in Cambridge, visits to the English countryside, and an opportunity to live in and explore London. In England, you can sip tea in the park, enjoy an outdoor play or concert, join a college walking tour, row with friends, or visit one of many historic landmarks.

Cambridge (3 weeks)

Often described as England’s most beautiful city, Cambridge is also one of the world’s great academic and cultural centers. Cambridge University is comprised of 31 separate colleges distinguished by a wealth of architectural styles, grand bridges over the River Cam, and lush gardens. Instead of a central campus, Cambridge incorporates several self-contained colleges throughout the town. Students live, study, and dine within their college, but still have all of the educational and social advantages of the greater university community. As a great seat of learning since 1284, Cambridge has attracted noted alumni including Sir Isaac Newton, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Prince Charles, members of Pink Floyd, Winnie-the-Pooh creator A.A. Milne, and Harvard University benefactor John Harvard.

London (1 week)

London, the capital of England and the UK, is also the European epicenter of politics, education, fashion, and the arts. London cradles a wide range of people, cultures, and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its welcoming arms. Both the historical richness and modern sophistication of London make it the ideal city to explore. Students can discover the wonders of London; whether they watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, gaze at the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, listen to Big Ben’s chiming bells, attend a West End theatre production, or browse the Covent Garden Marketplace. A friendly and diverse population, mild climate, numerous galleries and museums, and four World Heritage Sites make London ideal for an exciting pre-college summer.

Living and Learning Together in One Residence

All Summer Discovery students live together in one residence hall in Cambridge and one hotel in London. This enables students and staff to develop the close-knit community of living under one roof. Although our students benefit from the greater university community, they have a distinct “home,” which provides immeasurable social, educational, and safety benefits.

Murray Edwards College at Cambridge (3 weeks)

At Murray Edwards College, Summer Discovery students enjoy many traditional aspects of Cambridge University life, while living in a comfortable, modern, student-oriented college atmosphere. Rooms are mostly doubles, with a limited number of singles and triples. All rooms feature private bathrooms with showers, study desks, closets and high-speed internet access (Ethernet cord required). Murray Edwards’ facilities include: TV/DVD lounges, student lounge, laundry facilities (lessons included), a computer center, and Summer Discovery office and lounge. The college also features a racquetball court, gym, outdoor basketball hoop, soccer fields, and tennis courts.  

Royal National Hotel in London (1 week)

Our home in London is the Royal National Hotel, located in the fashionable Bloomsbury district. Bloomsbury is known for its sprawling parks and rich literary history; former residents include Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and the Darling family of the famed Peter Pan stories. The Royal National Hotel boasts numerous shops and restaurants, huge meeting rooms, and free wireless internet in all public areas. Rooms are mostly doubles with a limited number of triples. All rooms feature private bathrooms with showers, satellite television, in-room phones, and daily housekeeping service.

Food For Thought

While in Cambridge, Summer Discovery students will eat in the famous Murray Edwards domed dining hall. Breakfast and dinner are included Monday through Friday and 1 meal is included on Saturday and Sunday, while on campus. Murray Edwards’ menus feature vegetarian options, pasta or baked potato bar, salad bar, yogurt and fruit. At lunch (not included), students explore an array of restaurants, cafes, and sandwich shops, or enjoy a riverside picnic. In London, students will enjoy a continental breakfast at the Royal National Hotel and experience different restaurants each evening throughout the city. As in Cambridge, students will purchase their own lunch

Health, Safety and Security  

• The health, safety, and security of each student is our primary concern.
• Doctor appointments are arranged with the Buckingham Medical Clinic, the same facility used by Murray Edwards College students.
• For 24 hour/emergency care in Cambridge students are taken to the renowned New Addenbrooks Hospital. In London, students are taken to the nearby Great Ormond Street Hospital, which includes the largest medical center for children in the UK.
• Summer Discovery staff make all medical appointments, transport and accompany students to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications, and notify parents after medical visits.
• Summer Discovery staff and Murray Edwards’ Porters are on duty on and off campus 24 hours a day.
• Resident counselors live in the residence with Summer Discovery students.
• For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.
• In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk on campus and in our “home area,” but are required to be in small groups.

Transportation

• It is a short walk to all of our classrooms, athletic facilities and the historic city center in Cambridge, and from our hotel in London.
• Summer Discovery maintains a fleet of passenger vans (in Cambridge) for small excursions and medical transport. For major excursions chartered buses with professional drivers and public transportation are used.
• Summer Discovery provides escorted transfers to/from London Heathrow Airport for $60 each way. Staff meet incoming flights after customs and assist with all departures. Travel arrangements must be made through Musiker Travel, our own travel agency. Our group flight departs the USA from New York’s JFK airport the evening of June 30 and arrives at approximately 9:00am on July 1. All students from the US are required to take this group flight to Heathrow. International students must book flights to arrive at approximately the same time and date. Students who fly to Gatwick and Stanstead Airports must take a car service (at their expense) to Cambridge.
• Please Note: July 1 is the only day Summer Discovery staff can meet students at Heathrow airport. July 21 and 27 are the only days Summer Discovery staff can escort students to Heathrow airport for flights home