International School Tours: A look back to our UK 2023 Summer Camp

At Oxbridge School, we believe in the transformative power of education, and our last International Summer Tour to the UK has proven just that! We are taking a look back to our school trip to the UK in 2023 and the locations we included in the program.

This incredible journey not only provided our students with unforgettable memories but also highlighted the numerous benefits of international educational school trips and tours.

A Phenomenal Experience

Our Summer Camp Tour to the UK was a phenomenal experience for Oxbridge students! Our trip schedule included eleven days. Students and teachers immersed themselves in a rich educational environment at Bromsgrove School, one of the UK’s top academic institutions we visited during this tour.

Visiting a superb boarding school, our students and teachers engaged in inspiring science and English language lessons while benefiting from exceptional sporting and leisure facilities, discovered a different culture, a new city and lived history during this amazing school trip.

The itinerary was packed with exploration, our tour included visits to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and a delightful lunch at a prestigious Oxford University. Students and teachers also had the opportunity to explore and discover renowned museums, iconic buildings, and theatres in London. 

Although they returned home tired from the long flight, they were filled with joy and knowledge, having Although they returned home tired from the long flight, they were filled with joy and knowledge, having made new friends and shared a remarkable experience with their peers.

Although they returned home tired from the long flight, they were filled with joy and knowledge, having made new friends and shared a remarkable experience with their peers.

 

 

Why Consider Joining an International School Trip and Summer Camp?

Based in our professional experience here are some compelling reasons why these educational visits and school summer camps are invaluable for the educational journey, and why our teachers and team recommend to combine classroom and real life learning with an international trip:

1. Cultural Exposure

During the trip students were able to learn about England's culture, immerse in the language, understand geography by visiting different locations and have a taste of British meals, all in a dedicated environment. Experiencing different cultures enhances students' global awareness and understanding. It fosters respect for diversity and helps them appreciate different perspectives, enriching their worldview.

In our itinerary we included visits to locations that are emblems of British culture, such as the Big Ben and Stratford Upon Avon, location where William Shakespeare was born, the most prominent British writer in the world.

2. Enhanced Learning

Summer camps and international trips provide hands-on learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Students engage with historical sites, museums, and educational institutions, making learning more impactful and memorable. Our teachers were able to reinforce class topics with real life experience and English language, while our pupils had a first hand experience.

Exploring history by visiting the actual venues where great moments of UK history took place gave our students a sense of connection with the country and the world during the tour. We had the amazing opportunity to visit during our school trip Buckingham Palace, where our pupils and teachers were marvelled by the beautiful architecture and great significance of the historical value of this place.

Some of our students that most benefited from the experience were those participating in our English Integration Path (EIP) program, as they were able to practice their language skills in a natural environment. For more information about our EIP program you can visit our dedicated page here.

On the school trip, our leadership team also included locations to foster science learning. Institutions such as the Natural History Museum were one of those venues selected for our tour, which was chosen with the purpose to strengthen our STEM educational goals in the classroom, an holistic approach to our teaching system where we combine theory and real life experience.

3. Personal Growth

Travel encourages independence and self-confidence. During our tour, students learn to navigate new environments, solve problems, and adapt to changing situations, all of which are essential life skills.

During the trip, students understand safety, have a better understanding of the world, this provides them confidence to discover their own capacities, understand the resources they have, and to adapt in different locations and situations.

As our tour had a full itinerary during the 11 days of our trip, our pupils had to be in charge of their time, and support each other during this time. From being on time during the morning, to arrive sharp to having their meals, the group was very responsible during the full tour.

Parents were happy to witness the children returning from the tour immensely happy, with a more responsible attitude toward school, their education and life.

4. Building Friendships

Shared experiences during these school trips and participating in summer camps help strengthen bonds among students. They create lasting memories and friendships that extend beyond the school environment. Groups generate a sense of security and enforces bonds, sharing special moments such as eating their first British meals, or visiting the UK for the very first time together will produce a closer bond between friends, a memory that will last forever.

At our return from the trip, our group kept on sharing and discussing the school trip and summer camp for several weeks. This continuous conversation not only refers to the experience of a trip, but also indicates the information they received during the school trip is engraved and learned in more depth. This educational experience turns history and cultural learning into a personal experience.

5. Academic Enrichment during the School Trips

Exposure to different educational methodologies and teaching styles can inspire students academically. Our visit to Bromsgrove School, a top boarding school in the UK gave the pupils a different experience compared to that in the classroom, and exposed them to a different education system.

The school was founded in 1553, one of the oldest schools in Britain. Covering 100 acres, our participants were able to appreciate the difference in Geography and nature between Hong Kong and the UK.

During our itinerary the pupils that joined the tour were able to participate in different subjects including English lessons, science lessons and Sport activities in the venue. The location gave our pupils a unique experience. They returned home with renewed enthusiasm for their studies and a broader understanding of global issues, which was an essential goal for this trip.

Exposing pupils to a different education system will lead to better adaptation capabilities when transitioning from one grade to the next. In case the family requires to move to an international location, our pupils will find the change easier to cope with as they have experienced the international school trip and summer camps.

6. Representing Our School

The UK staff and those individuals we were in touch during our school trip were highly complimentary about how well our students represented Oxbridge School and Hong Kong. Our Hong Kong pupils left an amazing impression at the Bromsgrove School, especially with the teachers, who complemented their knowledge and great attitude during the trip.

Such experiences not only build character but also enhance our school's and alumni reputation on an international level.

 Our exciting visit to Oxford University

We cannot end this note by mentioning one of our most exciting visits during our trip, Oxford University, a world class institution in the world hosted our team during our visit to the UK.

Discovering this location gave a much higher meaning to our trip, experiencing in person this great institution gives our students an understanding of their possibilities and understanding they can achieve any goal they have with effort and discipline. We look forward to visiting the university on another trip.

Our tour included other amazing locations for exploration such as Birmingham City where the group had a lovely excursion, Downing Street in the city of London, and joined a musical play, and Covent Garden area where they enjoyed and discovered local food, souvenirs, and lovely tourist attractions.

Tips for your upcoming school trip and international summer camp

If you are interested in joining a summer camp, here we have three tips to help prepare your child and family:

Tip 1. What is the purpose of the trip?

If your institution is organizing an international school trip, you should receive detailed information of the purpose and goals of the tour. Schools should provide you with a program that embraces their core curriculum. For example, our UK trip enforces our British Curriculum foundation with the learning of English language, British culture and our holistic teaching methods.

Tip 2. Research about the country to visit and itinerary

If you are planning your child to join an international summer camp or school trip, we strongly advise learning in advance about the destination the student is traveling to. Understand the trip length, weather at the location, language, currency, among other points that are important when spending time in other locations around the world. Perform a risk assessment of the country and areas that are included in the tour, safety comes first!

Tip 3. Encourage your child to enjoy and participate

Joining a tour can be very exciting for children, encouraging them to join the full set of activities in the program will make their experience more enjoyable. For example, inviting them to practice the language during the tour, from small exercises such as paying in stores by themselves, asking for directions or ordering at a restaurant will give them a great confidence.

Let's Continue to Explore New Horizons Together!

During this school trip our group was able to have a world class experience, not only in the educational side but also our personal experience to connect with our school community and our team of teachers that headed this school trip.

We can not encourage parents and families to give children the opportunity to experience these tours and have a program that combines both a great in-class British curriculum and real life UK experience.

Are you interested in joining an international school trip for our students next summer? Find out more about our upcoming international trips and get in touch with our Admissions Department at admissions@oxbridgeschool.hk

Congratulations once again to all our Oxbridge students! We can’t wait to embark on more adventures in the future!