United Kingdom

Awaiting the departure...

We left TIS after school on Friday, May 22nd, and took the bonded bus to Hong Kong International Airport for our direct flight to London.

Our group.....

Excited and happy faces waiting for boarding.

On our way

Our flight path.

Saturday: After a 13.5-hour flight 🛬, we arrived at 06:20 at London Heathrow Airport.

Day 2: Saturday UK Time

From the airport, our group headed to the British Museum followed by a campus tour at UCL.

British Museum

Entering through the grand Montague Place entrance, the students spent time viewing world-renowned treasures, including the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies, and the massive Bust of Ramesses II.

This was followed by a guided tour of the UCL campus where students asked questions about future courses, housing and cost of living in the British capital (and of course learnt about the rivalry with King's College University)

British Museum

UCL Campus tour

Capping the long day with a traditional dinner at Poppies Fish & Chips

and celebrate Agnes's 16th Birthday!

Day 3: Sunday

The "Tube" Experience

The day started with a first for many – experiencing the London Tube! The London tube is the world's oldest underground railway. It is a massive, rapid transit system which connects the entire city. It is commonly called the "Tube" due to the narrow and cylindrical tunnels. London is buzzing, and getting a taste of its underground rhythm was an exciting way to start the day.

Tower of London, Tower Bridge and London Bridge

Tower of London – A chance to view the English Royal family's history – some of it not so nice! Traitors gate and the "Bloody tower" were just 2 highlights – and of course a chance to view the crown jewels was a crowd-pleaser. After exploring the Tower of London, we crossed the iconic Tower Bridge, taking in the views and soaking up that classic London atmosphere. As we head towards Borough Market for our next stop, we walked past the London Bridge, which was only about half a mile from Tower Bridge.

Borough Market

Here's a sentence I thought I would never be saying... "The UK weather has beaten us; we are retreating to the hotel to rest before embarking to covent garden for a dinner at Wagamama's."

Day 4: Visual and Performing Arts Day

What a day for art and music! We began at the National Gallery, soaking up masterpieces before getting the chance to take part in a workshop with one of Les Misérables’ musical directors. After that, we watched the show in the West End, feeling completely inspired. Between all the creativity, we also enjoyed some time shopping on Oxford Street. What about dinner at Hard Rock Café? Absolutely a hit!

Our day started at the National Gallery, a world-famous museum that’s home to a stunning collection of European paintings—one of the UK’s most-loved art galleries. We spent time wandering through some truly inspiring masterpieces, quietly taking in the details, admiring the colours, and soaking up the atmosphere of such a world-renowned place. It was the perfect way to kick off an arts-filled day, setting the tone for everything that came next.

Singing Workshop at Danceworks

Next up was an amazing singing workshop focused on songs from Les Misérables. It was such a special experience to learn more about the music and the meaning behind the melodies, and to practise the harmonies and powerful vocals that make the show so unforgettable. With guidance from one of the musical directors, it felt both inspiring and confidence-boosting—like we were stepping behind the scenes for a closer look. Before we even sat down to watch, we were already buzzing with energy and couldn’t wait to see everything come to life on stage.

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Do You Hear the People Sing?

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At The End of the Day

It was both challenging and fun especially when we worked on “Do You Hear the People Sing?” At first, we got a bit confused with the melody and harmony, and it was honestly a challenge to find our way in. But step by step it started to click, and by the end we were really blending well. When we finally sang together, it sounded great, and it was such a rewarding feeling knowing we’d come through together before even heading to watch the show.

Les Misérables

Watching Les Misérables in the West End was a dream come true for a few of us. It was a very long play, but despite having a long day, we all really enjoyed the show. From the powerful performances to the energy on stage, it was absolutely worth it and it was a perfect way to end such a brilliant day.

Day 5: Cambridge

Day 5 was a visit to Cambridge, a city just outside London famous for its world-renowned universities and colleges. The heat really did take it out of us, and we were hugely tired, but the grandeur and rich history of the place were something we couldn’t miss. Our tour guide gave us fantastic information about the famous spots around the colleges, bringing the whole place to life. We finished the tour soaking in the magnificent architecture of King’s College Chapel.

We also started the day with river punting. Even though the summer heat wasn’t ideal, we had umbrellas to protect ourselves, and it was still such a great activity to do. Despite the warm weather, it was a brilliant experience and a memorable way to see Cambridge from the river.

river punting

Alumni Campus Tour

Food today was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed afternoon tea, and then we ended the night with an Indian gastronomic experience, such a delicious way to finish the day!

Day 6

Imperial College London, Big Ben and Wicked

Imperial College Presentation

Imperial College Campus Tour

Our day began with a classic London experience as we caught the Tube, heading straight towards the famous Imperial College London. As a world-leading university celebrated globally for its cutting-edge research and innovation, it provided the perfect backdrop to inspire our students. We had the privilege of listening to a wonderful presentation by Ms. Amy Smith from the International Student Recruitment Office, who shed light on the entry requirements and offered a clearer picture of university life. To top it off, two exceptional student ambassadors guided us through a tour of the stunning campus. Wandering past the impressive buildings and quietly taking in the academic atmosphere, our students got a real taste of what it's like to study at such a prestigious place. It was an unforgettable morning that certainly set a truly inspiring tone for the rest of our journey!

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Houses of Parliament

After an amazing morning, we headed straight into the heart of London to tick off some of the world’s most iconic landmarks! We got to see the spectacular Big Ben and the majestic Houses of Parliament, standing tall along the River Thames. The excitement didn't stop there, we also made our way over to Buckingham Palace, feeling completely amazed by the grand royal residence. Our students had a blast capturing every moment, snapping countless photos against these stunning backdrops to capture the memories.

West End Theatre workshop

Our journey brought us back to the fantastic studio of Danceworks for another memorable workshop. This session was dedicated entirely to the art of dance, with our students taking on a captivating group choreography from the iconic West End musical, Wicked. Following the passionate lead of our professional instructor, the studio quickly filled with rhythm, focus, and determination as everyone worked together to bring the routine to life. It was inspiring to watch our students support one another and grow in confidence with every beat. Take a look at some of the wonderful highlights of our practice sessions and the brilliant final result of all our hard work!

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Wicked

After mastering the choreography ourselves, we were thrilled to see the professionals in action as we headed to the West End to watch the long-awaited Wicked! From the very first note to the final bow, the show was absolutely spectacular. Our students were completely spellbound, soaking up every bit of the drama, music, and heart on stage. It was the ultimate, magical finale to our day, and one that we’ll be talking about for a long time to come!

Day 7: Oxford

Following a scenic 90-minute bus ride, we arrived at the world-renowned University of Oxford. One of the most unique things about this institution is that it isn’t a traditional gated campus; rather, it is a city within a university, where history and learning are deeply embedded into the town itself. Guided through the cobblestone lanes, we explored famous landmarks and truly felt the weight of centuries of knowledge around us. It was especially exciting to wander past the iconic Harry Potter filming locations, feeling as though we had stepped straight into the wizarding world. It was a perfect blend of history, architecture, and a touch of cinematic magic.

We headed back to the heart of the city and landed right in the vibrant Covent Garden! After our busy morning, it was time to refuel, and we did just that with some absolutely delicious pizza. With happy tummies, we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, hunting for souvenirs, and soaking up the lively atmosphere of one of London’s favorite spots! It was such a fantastic, relaxing break filled with great food and even better company. What a perfect afternoon!

Day 8: Last day

King's College London

Our incredible London adventure has come to a close, but not without one last highlight! We spent a brilliant final morning at King's College London, where two fantastic student ambassadors guided us through their beautiful campus. It was the perfect opportunity to soak up the academic spirit one last time before wrapping up our trip.

Now, as we journey to Heathrow Airport, we take with us not just souvenirs, but a wealth of new perspectives and experiences. Thank you, London, for a truly inspiring adventure, we will certainly cherish these moments forever!

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