Arcadia England

In this 65th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, our summer events have a strong royal flavour: Whether it be the fancy hats and coattails of Royal Ascot, the official opening of Buckingham Palace, or a trip to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Read on below for what you have in store. Event registration opens Thursday, 11 May 2017 at 12 noon (EST) in your Arcadia Passport. And, don’t forget, if an event is full you can add yourself to the waitlist to be notified automatically if more space becomes available.

Session 1 Events: 26 May - 24 June

Theatre - Twelfth Night at The Globe Theatre

Themes: Pop Culture, The Underground

Whether it be a light-hearted comedy, a musical, or a serious piece dealing with the darkness of the human heart, theatre provides an opportunity to witness a reflection of British life and examine it in relation to your own attitudes, beliefs and experiences. This summer, have the chance to see Shakespeare’s timeless comedy of Twelfth Night on stage at the world famous Globe Theatre.

Stonehenge & Bath Day Trip

ThemeS: Life & Death, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site, is composed of the substantial remnants of the last in a sequence of such monuments erected between circa 3000BC and 1600BC. There has always been intense debate over what purpose Stonehenge served and during your visit you will get the chance to form your own opinion. A huge effort and great organization was needed to carry the stones tens, and sometimes hundreds, of miles by land and water and then to shape and raise them. Stonehenge’s orientation in relation to the rising and setting sun has always been one of its most remarkable features.

Bath 

Two thousand years ago, with most of the world at their feet, the Romans recognized the unique qualities of Bath and settled here. They chose well. Set in a sheltered valley, surrounded by seven wooded hills and nourished by Britain’s only natural hot springs, it is a natural haven. An exquisite Georgian city grew from Bath’s ancient roots epitomised by Jane Austen. On this trip, you will be able to visit all of the sights Bath has to offer, such as the famous Roman Baths, The Royal Crescent, The Circus, and Pulteney Bridge. All of these attractions are among the finest architectural treasures in the world, which explains its designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Brighton Day Trip

Themes: Pop Culture, The Underground, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Just an hour south of London, this colourful city by the sea offers fantastic shopping, sightseeing and the Royal Pavilion – a sprawling, Arabesque palace that was a favourite of King George IV.

Spend the morning at the famous Pavilion before enjoying free time to explore in the afternoon. Browse the quirky independent shops in the North Laines or enjoy Fish 'n Chips on pier. You need at least one trip to the seaside during your time in the UK and Brighton is the best of the bunch!

Royal Ascot

Themes: The Underground, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valuable race meeting, attracting many of the world’s finest race horses to compete for more than £5.5 million in prize money. Anticipated and revered, these five days (which are all attended by the Queen!) are made for socializing. Long seen as a spectacle of fashion and style, each year the meeting is broadcast to audiences around the globe, yet to experience it in person is something altogether more special.

To explain more about this royal event, our faculty member and Sociology lecturer, Dr Chris Mcmillan, writes: “Sport provides a wonderful window into a nation's culture. The most dominant marker in British culture is often thought to be social class, which is linked to cultural expressions, such as the food people eat, the clothes they wear (be on the look-out for red trousers and boat shoes!), and the way they speak. Sport is also divided along these class lines. Royal Ascot is considered to be on the 'upper class' side, where a strict class system is enforced through different enclosures and dress codes, which makes it a unique British sporting experience.”

Please note this event leaves on a Friday morning, it is your responsibility to check for academic clashes.

Session 2 Events: 27 June - 27 July

Wales Adventure Weekend

Themes: Sensory, Total Immersion, Tribes

Ditch the city for a weekend to experience the beautiful landscapes and coastal surroundings of the Pembrokeshire coast in north Wales. During this adventure weekend, you will have the chance to try activities such as sea kayaking, surfing and coasteering led by experienced and trusted guides.

You’ll also stay in a fully catered eco-lodge, where after a busy day outdoors you can retreat to delicious home cooked meals, campfires and cosy nights in.

Please note this event leaves on a Friday afternoon, it is your responsibility to check for academic clashes.

Oxford Day Trip

ThEmes: Life & Death, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Founded in the 9th century during the Saxon period, Oxford became home to the fledgling University of Oxford in the 12th century, becoming the oldest university in the UK.

The University of Oxford rose to dominate the town entirely and, by the middle of the 14th century, the history of the town was effectively no more than a footnote to the history of the university. Oxford will surprise, inspire and enchant you with its magnificent architecture, impressive yet intimate colleges, romantic rivers, and hidden nooks and crannies. Not to mention, it was also the location for several scenes in Harry Potter.

T20 Cricket

THemes: Sensory, Tribes

Did you know cricket is the second most popular sport in the world (behind football) with around 2.5 billion fans?

T20, also known as Twenty-20, is a shorter version of cricket. Where a normal cricket match can take between 3-5 days to complete, a T20 match lasts just 3 hours. The faster pace makes it a very entertaining form of cricket, where you will witness lots of runs scored and wickets lost. If you don’t have a clue what that means - you will by the end of the match! Plus you will have spent the evening at The Oval cricket ground, in the crowd with 25,000 faithful fans at this traditional British sporting event. 

Buckingham Palace

Themes: Life & Death, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

We’re celebrating 65 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth being on the throne this year. What better time to visit Buckingham Palace, her official London residence and one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

During your visit, you will see the 19 magnificent State Rooms which provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining. All rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection.

Session 1 & 2 Event

This event is only available to those studying with Arcadia from May through July 2017.

Edinburgh Weekend

Themes: Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Experience a different part of the UK with our two night excursion to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. Not only was Edinburgh one of the historical centres of the Enlightenment, it has also been at
the forefront of many of the world’s medical developments. Today, the city is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and with one visit to this beautiful city you will understand why it attracts countless scores of visitors every year.

During your stay, you will have a guided walking tour along with a visit to the historic Edinburgh Castle, which has been residence to many members of Royalty, including Mary Queen of Scots. 

Please note that all events depart from the Arcadia London Center unless stated otherwise. Students based out of London who intend to travel independently to the excursion destination may submit a request for reimbursement of their travel however, this request is not guaranteed and must be submitted by Thursday, 25 May.