Arcadia England

For students joining us in the Spring, we are very excited to announce our events that will be on offer to you!

We’ve been working hard to select some of the best experiences that we think will be a great introduction to your new home in the UK, from action-packed adventure weekends to theatre trips and city breaks!

Read on below for what we have in store. Event registration opens Thursday, 30 November 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.

Please note that all events depart from the Arcadia London Center unless stated otherwise. Students based out of London who intend to travel independently may submit a request for reimbursement of their travel up to £40. However this is not guaranteed as it is subject to group travel bookings in advance of the event.

Windsor Castle Day Trip

life & Death, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world with approximately 500 residents all year around! It is Queen Elizabeth’s weekend home and is often used for royal functions.

The castle was first built in the 11th century after William the Conqueror and it has been used by monarchs since the reign of Henry I, making it the longest occupied palace in all of Europe. It was originally built to protect London by overseeing the River Thames, but it’s purpose has changed drastically over the course of time. Join us on this visit to marvel at the architecture, and to explore the royal history within. 

Cycle Tour Afternoon

SENSORY, Total Immersion

Join us on a professional bicycle tour for a unique perspective on some iconic London sights as the sun sets and day turns into night. You'll ride past the Globe Theatre, where you'll have spectacular views of StPaul’s Cathedral. You’ll also find yourself riding along the river bank, across from the historical Tower of London. You may even get the chance to see Big Ben just as the clock strikes nine (as long as everyone is on time), which is the perfect way to end this particular night out!

Berlin Regional Event

LIFE & Death, The Underground, Pop Culture

From tragedy, to triumph and trendiness, Berlin has long been at the center of European life. This trip will bring that history to life. Our walking tour of the city starts under the Brandenburg gate, where Reagan told Gorbachev to ‘tear down this wall’. We will see bullet holes in buildings that survived World War II and stand on the car park that is thought to be Hitler’s grave. We will walk the line of the Berlin Wall and have a chance to check out the famous U.S Army Checkpoint ‘Charlie’.

We will see the thought provoking Holocaust memorial and take the sobering journey out to the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp, where 30,000 prisoners perished.

You will have the opportunity to experience Berlin’s renowned musical culture, from the underground clubs that define the ‘techno capital of the world’, to taking a more sedate visit to the Rock n’ Roll museum. You can also visit ‘Museum Island’ and check out the city’s vibrant street art culture. This is not a trip to be missed! 

Oxford Day Trip

TRIBES, Tradition & Innovation, Life & Death

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 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. The whole place has a buzz and a vibrant atmosphere (also the location for several scenes in Harry Potter)

CHURCHILL’S Cabinet War Rooms

LIFE & Death, Sensory, The Underground, Total Immersion, Tradition & Innovation

This museum comprises the Cabinet War Rooms, a historic underground complex that was home to government command center during the Second World War. You can also see the Churchill Museum, a museum exploring the life of the then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. During the war, two rooms were of particular importance. The map room was constantly in use. The other was the Cabinet Room in which Churchill declared: ‘This is the room from which I will direct the war.’

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

WALES Adventure Weekend

SENSORy, Total Immersion, Tribes

Ditch the city for a weekend to experience the beautiful landscapes and coastal surroundings of the Pembrokeshire coast in 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. And if you need a break from the water, there will also be the option to explore the small village of St. David’s or visit the medieval Pembroke Castle.

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 cozy nights in.

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

THEATRE - Network - with Bryan Cranston

POP Culture, The Underground

Howard Beale, news anchorman, isn’t pulling in the viewers. In his final broadcast he unravels live on screen. But when the ratings soar, the network seize on their newfound populist prophet, and Howard becomes the biggest thing on TV. Network depicts a dystopian media landscape where opinion trumps fact. Hilarious and horrifying by turns, don’t miss the chance to see Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston in the role of Howard Beale.

Please note this event is on a Wednesday evening. It is your responsibility to check for academic clashes.

LIVERPOOL Weekend Trip

LIFE & Death, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

Liverpool gained its status as a city in 1880, having existed as a borough before that point. Its urbanisation and expansion was due to its status as a port city, largely due to its participation in the Atlantic slave trade. It was also the port of registry for a number of famous ships, including the RMS Titanic. Liverpool has an incredibly diverse population and is home to both the oldest Black African community, and the oldest Chinese community in Europe. Oh yes, we nearly forgot, a band called The Beatles also came from here!

Stonehenge & Bath Day Trip

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 organisation 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 recognised 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. The Royal Crescent, The Circus, Pump Room and Pulteney Bridge are among the finest architectural treasures in the world, which explains its designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

EXPLORe London weekend*
*For Direct Enroll Students Only

Total immersion, tradition & innovation, sensory, the underground

This event is geared more towards our students studying outside of London that may not have had the chance to explore the capital city while they are abroad. This famous city has been a major settlement for two millennia, and was originally founded by the Romans who named it Londinium. Today, it is a leading global city with a diverse range of people and cultures. It is also home to some of England's most famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Join fellow Arcadia study abroad students from other countries to explore this vibrant city. This weekend will be full of activities like a theatre visit, tours of the South Bank and street art, the Tower of London and an afternoon tea. You will also have free time to check out the parts of London that interest you the most!

Please note the last organised event will be Saturday evening, but you are free to use the accommodation until 5pm on Sunday. This event takes place from a Thursday - Sunday, it is your responsibility to check for academic clashes.

BRIGHTON Day Trip*
*For Direct Enroll students only

Pop Culture, The Underground, Tradition & Innovation, Tribes

According to Doctor Johnson, Brighton is ‘the perfect place to regain one’s health and then to ruin it again.’ This unique city by the sea offers fantastic shopping, sightseeing and the Brighton 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!