Trip to the United Kingdom: One week in London, one week in Cambridge

This year, a group of Year 9 and Year 10 students had the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience: traveling to the United Kingdom to improve their English and immerse themselves in the history, culture, and daily life of one of the most fascinating countries in the world. 

Every morning, they attended English classes, practicing the language in its natural context, surrounded by native speakers and in an atmosphere where each lesson took on a different dimension than it would in a classroom. The afternoons, on the other hand, were pure adventure and discovery. 

London: Sun, history, and lots of energy 

Despite the heat—which was unusual for the city—London welcomed us with all its grandeur. 

We started at the British Museum, where the students were able to admire artifacts spanning thousands of years of human civilization: from the Rosetta Stone to Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures. A journey through time within a single building. 

We explored Oxford Circus, the city’s vibrant commercial heart, where classic architecture coexists with the latest trends; an ideal stop to get a feel for London’s modern pulse. 

At the Science Museum, the students encountered inventions that changed history, from the first steam locomotives to space modules. Science, technology, and imagination in their purest form. 

Camden Market was, without a doubt, one of the most colorful stops on the trip. This iconic market, filled with food stalls from around the world, alternative clothing, and street art, showed another side of London: its most creative, diverse, and youthful side. 

We also passed through Notting Hill, the famous neighborhood with its pastel-colored houses that many had already seen in movies, and strolled through Kensington Gardens until we reached the majestic Royal Albert Hall, one of the world’s most important cultural venues, whose imposing architecture left no one unmoved. 

Cambridge: Blue skies, the river, and university tradition 

The second week took us to Cambridge, and the weather was absolutely perfect: blue skies and sunshine from start to finish. 

We’ll start with a visit to Ely, a charming medieval town just a few minutes from Cambridge, famous for its imposing 11th-century cathedral, which dominates the landscape from kilometers away. It’s a place that seems frozen in time. 

One of the most memorable moments was the punt ride along the River Cam. Gliding along in these traditional boats, under historic bridges and past the college gardens, is an experience that perfectly captures the spirit of Cambridge. 

For a change of pace, we enjoyed a lively day of sports at Coleridge Recreation Grounds, where the students played games, laughed, and had lots of fun outdoors. 

We visited King’s College, with its world-famous Gothic chapel and immaculate gardens—a symbol of the academic prestige that this university town has cultivated for centuries. Walking through its courtyards, one feels the weight of history and the grandeur of knowledge. 

The walking tour of downtown allowed us to discover unique spots: ancient bookstores, cafés where scientists and writers once studied, and cobblestone streets that hold centuries of intellectual history. 

More Than Just a Trip 

We returned with sharper English skills, new friendships, and our minds filled with images, experiences, and memories that can’t be found in any book. We returned having realized firsthand that learning a language goes far beyond the classroom: it also means walking through a city, listening to its people, getting lost in its markets, and daring to ask questions in the other person’s language. 

Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm, and to the families for their trust. 

See you on the next trip! 

Lucas Craig 
IB & IGCSE Visual Arts – Fine Arts Coordinator