Cambridge University & London

*June 26 departure from the U.S, with June 27 arrival in the U.K.

• 3 weeks in Cambridge + 1 week in London
• For students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12
• Immersion 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

Special Options include:

• Optional 3 day Fly Away Venice Celebration weekend
• Optional 3 day Get Away Paris Excursion weekend
• *Optional college credit available

Why Cambridge, 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 will benefit from an introduction to university life in Cambridge, an opportunity to live in and explore London, and visits to the English countryside. 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.

4 Week Credit and Enrichment Courses for Students Completing 9,10,11,12

Cambridge University (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 Cam River, 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, 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. All rooms feature private bathrooms with showers, study desks, closets, telephone and high-speed internet access (ethernet cord required). Outstanding Murray Edwards’ facilities include: TV/DVD lounges, JCR student lounge, laundry facilities (lessons included), a computer center, and Summer Discovery offices. The college also features a racquetball court, gym, basketball hoop, 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, the Living Well Health Club, 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 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 makes all medical appointments; transport and accompany students to medical facilities; obtain prescription medications and notify parents after medical visits.
• Summer Discovery resident counselors live in the same secure residence hall as the students and are on duty 24 hours a day.
• 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. 

Safety Plus: Free International Cell Phone 

For additional safety, all students are provided with a free international cell phone with a local English number, featuring free incoming calls, voicemail and text messaging, for the duration of the program. This cell phone will be delivered to the student’s home prior to the program. There is no charge for the phone rental, however, students are responsible for call charges. This service is required by all participants.

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 $50 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 26 and arrives at approximately 9:00am on June 27. All students from the US are required to take this group flight to Heathrow. International students should book flights to arrive at approximately the same time and date. Students who fly to Gatwick Airport must take a car service (at their expense) to Cambridge.
• Please Note: June 27 is the only day Summer Discovery staff can meet students at Heathrow airport. July 23 is the only day Summer Discovery staff can escort students to Heathrow airport for flights home.