Activities and Opportunities
Student Life
The price of the summer program includes a one-month travelcard allowing unlimited travel on public transport in Greater London (trains, buses and underground). Students are encouraged to explore the city.
Summer School students stay in Kingston University’s Middle Mill hall of residence on a room-only basis. The 204 single study bedrooms are arranged in flats with between three and eight students sharing a kitchen, showers and WC. You will benefit from:
- a central location, close to Kingston town and the Penrhyn Road campus
- a washbasin (sink) in all rooms
- internet connection in all rooms – this means you can bring your laptop. Make sure that it is dual voltage
- non-smoking accommodation
- on-site laundry facilities
We will provide:
- bed linen (changed weekly)
- towels (changed twice weekly)
- pots, pans, crockery and cutlery so you can cook in the shared kitchen
Bedrooms and the kitchen will be cleaned weekly, although you should keep the kitchens and bathrooms clean and tidy on a daily basis.
Shopping and cooking
The program does not offer a meal plan, but you will have access to a shared kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. Learning the British way of shopping and cooking are all part of the cultural benefits of studying at Kingston University for a summer session.
There are supermarkets (grocery stores) in Surbiton and Kingston, plus a daily fruit and vegetable market in Kingston. There are also countless places to eat out.
The Orientation Program and Welcome Reception on 28 June will give you the chance to meet your fellow students and the Summer School staff.
We also arrange a number of evening socials during the program and optional trips.
British Culture field trips
If you are not taking the British Culture class, you still have the opportunity to participate in the field trips, paying a fee per trip. Please note that one British Culture field trip will run on a Sunday (1 July).
Free weekends
There will be two long weekends (four-days) during the Summer School, giving you the chance to travel to mainland Europe, Ireland or elsewhere in the UK. The dates for these weekends are:
- Friday 6 July – Monday 9 July
- Friday 20 July – Monday 23 July
The other two weekends provide free time for exploring London and the area closer to Kingston.
Optional weekend trips
We will be offering two optional trips on the long weekends, one to Paris and the other to another exciting destination. These will be an additional cost. Details and prices will be confirmed in December 2006. Check the website for further details.
Alumni Feedback
"… I learned more in this month alone about the British and European culture than in all my years of school. It was also the best experience of my life."
Steve Grzesiowski, Truman State University (Summer 2006)
"… I was able to step away from my comfort zone. Now I pretty much can do anything. The experience here is empowering."
Alice Ko, Bunker Hill Community College (Summer 2006)
"Awesome program, I learned a lot about British culture, and had the best summer of my life… meeting people I will be friends with for the rest of my life."
Ashley Hooks, Central Michigan University (Summer 2006)
