UK Culture and Colleges

Explore UK universities while experiencing British culture. Tour London and Edinburgh, visiting historical sites, castles, and cathedrals. Consider the benefits of studying abroad while meeting with admissions officers and current students. Highlights include Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and King Arthur’s Seat. The trip blends education and travel, helping participants evaluate international college opportunities while immersing themselves in UK history and culture

Day 1

After a slightly delayed and long red eye flight, we made it to London! Though the delay caused us to miss our first planned activity of attending a football match, our group rallied well and had a great day exploring and getting our bearings around our hotel. Along the way, we still experienced plenty of football spirit as crowds were gathered in the streets, proudly cheering on their team. With some much needed sustenance, we explored Covent Garden area. Some of us found some deliciously fancy chocolate, and some of us found Big Ben! We look forward to our free day in London tomorrow and kicking off our college tours on Monday.

Day 2

We enjoyed some breakfast at Kings Cross station before taking the Tube to our first stop. While making the trip, we got some advice on how to stay warm from a local Londoner. Luckily the sun came out as we visited the Tower of London. Here we learned about the history of this nearly 1000 year old castle, from housing royalty to being the site of political executions. We loved seeing the juxtaposition between the old fortress structures and the modern city right outside. Afterwards, we walked across Tower Bridge and headed for some delicious lunch in the bustling Borough Market. Our afternoon was filled with a visit to the Tate Modern Art Museum and then a jaunt to Soho where we had a little time to explore before finding Indian food for dinner.

Day 3

Today we explored two very different college campuses! The first stop was at University of Arts London, Central St. Martins campus. Here we learned more about the 10 programs of study at this specific location, including art, fashion design, graphic communication and industrial design. This art school setting clearly boasted an exuberant and collaborative atmosphere for artists of all kinds, and we saw many students actively working on projects in every space and studio. Afterwards, we enjoyed a walk along the canal to Camden Market for lunch. We then made our way to University College London, where we found an emphasis on more traditional academia and a wide range of program offerings in a very urban setting. For our last night in London, we got to take in the mystery of Agatha Christie's Mousetrap production, a play that made its original debut in 1952 and is the longest running show in the world.

Day 4

Today we visited Northeastern University London this morning. The program gives a hybrid option between US and UK systems, which may provide students with a level of scaffolding and support that is helpful. Options here include applying as a London Scholar based in Boston, or applying directly as a UK student based here in London. The views from NU were beautiful of the Thames and London Bridge, but we also visited the Sky Garden for a overhead view of the city, luckily with clear blue skies! After another delicious lunch, we took a bus to the British Musuem, exploring treasures of the ages. Tonight we will enjoy a pub-style dinner, pick up our bags and head to the overnight train. More news tomorrow from Scotland!

Day 5

We boarded the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train to travel from London and settled into our bunk-style accommodations for the night, prepared with some snacks. When we woke up, we had officially reached our next destination, Edinburgh! The views in old town were immediately impressive, even on our (still sleepy) walk to our next hotel. After breakfast, we were met by our tour company who picked us up for a day trip to St. Andrews. Along the way, we learned about the history of Edinburgh and other Scottish towns, from a history of filthy living conditions and building the first "skyscrapers," to agriculture and inventions. We were met with quaint village views, rare sunny skies, and beautiful North Sea coastal views in the fishing villages of Fife. Our visit at St. Andrews provided a chance to get a feel for a university with more of a campus and college-town feel.

We ended the day with excellent burgers, pizza, add haggis fries, along with trying the local favorite soda, Irn Bru.

Day 6

Today was our day in Edinburgh! Dating back to the 11th century, we started with learning the history of the Edinburgh Castle while also enjoying some pretty amazing views of the city and surrounding areas. Afterwards we explored Victoria Street, the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, and found lunch in the area. The afternoon consisted of a walk through The Meadows and our visit with Edinburgh Napier University, Merchiston campus. This modern university offers a wide range of areas of study and focuses on experiential learning alongside a supportive and caring community on its three campuses here. Our day ended with a tour of the underground vaults, a part of Edinburgh's history abound with tales of merchants, diseases, bodysnatchers, and now some mostly friendly ghosts as well. We heard about The Cobbler, Mr. Boots, and the young boy Jack. These underground alleyways were built under the streets of the Royal Mile dating back to the 17th century and we enjoyed seeing a glimpse of such a unique part of Scottish history.

Day 7

Our last day was spent exploring west of Edinburgh to the edge of the highlands at Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. We took a short cruise on the lake, the largest in Scotland, and enjoyed learning about the surrounding houses, towns, historical and geographical points. Afterwards, we were fortunate to have a stop with some adorable highlands cows! The afternoon included stops at Castle Doune, Stirling Castle, and the Kelpies sculptures. Castle Doune, with its humble location and serene setting in the Scottish hills, afforded us the opportunity to feel as if we were taken back in time. This medieval stronghouse has also been used in several films including Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Outlander. Stirling Castle was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, and was seized by the Scots and Robert the Bruce in 1314 after defeating Edward II at Bannockburn. Our last stop at the Kelpie sculptures gave us the chance to hear the legends of these shape-shifting spirits, as one of many folkloric creatures of Scotland.

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