The Reach Cambridge summer programs have sadly come to an end, and what a summer it was! Fantastic friends were made, lots of exciting activities were enjoyed, and some life-changing lessons were learned. We’d like to take this opportunity to look back on some of our favourite moments from this summer.
The Academics
This summer students engaging with a wide range of interesting subjects, from English Literature & Creative Writing to Journalism & Media, and from Medicine & Life Sciences to Engineering. Some particularly fascinating lessons include building bridges in Engineering, taking a trip to the Supreme Court in Law, visiting the Museum of Migration in Social & Political Sciences, and firing rockets in Physics & Astronomy!
We also had a diverse spectrum of guest lectures throughout the program. From the screening of a short film and Q&A with the director, to the inspiring story of an army/airline pilot – there were so many fantastic speeches! Our own supervisory staff even did a lecture on the UK university application system.
The Activities
Endless fun was had during the program! Students joined in with many different activities set up by the Reach team in the afternoons and evenings. Some were more educational, such as workshops on personal statement writing and interview skills. Others were very entertaining, such as a Ghost Tour of Cambridge’s spookiest sites, led by our RC Spirit Guides, or a hotly contested MarioKart tournament. Finally, there were also some activities designed to bring the whole group together, such as the World Fair were students delivered presentations about their countries, and the Talent Show, which saw a plethora of incredible acts, from breath-taking musical acts to magic and comedy!
The Excursions
As beautiful and inspiring a location as Cambridge is, we also wanted to show our students some other amazing parts of the UK, which is why we held excursions during the middle weekend of each program. This year we had some of our best excursions yet, including the chance to see the captivating King Lear at Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre in London. Other excursions included visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the aforementioned bard, and Warwick Castle, a majestic medieval castle, as well as Hampton Court Palace, the stately home commissioned by King Henry VIII.
All in all it was a fantastic summer, punctuated by some truly unforgettable moments, and sustained by wonderful international friendships, which I’m sure will last for many years to come.
Written by Luke