From exploring famous landmarks to experiencing British culture first-hand, our class trip to Cambridge, England, was an adventure we will never forget.
On Wednesday, May 27th, we met at the train station in Deutschkreutz and travelled to Vienna Airport. Everyone was excited about the journey. After a pleasant and comfortable flight to London, we finally arrived in Cambridge full of anticipation for the week ahead. We didn’t have to wait long for the taxis that took us to our host families. Although we were all looking forward to an interesting language week, many of us were also a little nervous because we didn’t know what to expect. However, we felt very welcome and soon got used to our new surroundings.
Thursday was our first day at Experio English School in the large building of Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. In the morning, we were divided into two groups by our teachers. The first lessons were mainly introductory, allowing us to get to know the teachers and learn more about the course and the planned activities. When the lessons ended, we had a lunch break and could buy food and drinks in the university cafeteria. After lunch, we took part in a guided tour of Cambridge. During the tour, we learned a lot about the city, its famous colleges, and several important people who had studied there. Afterwards, we had some free time to explore the city on our own, visit shops, or spend time together. In the evening, we returned to our host families and had dinner with them.
After another day at Experio English, we walked through the city to the train station and took a train to Ely, a charming town near Cambridge. Although Ely is relatively small, it is famous for its impressive cathedral, which seems almost too large for such a quiet place. After strolling through the streets, where we saw typical English houses and cafés, we were given a guided tour of the cathedral. It is one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in England.
On the fourth day, we travelled to London by train in the morning. After arriving, we walked to Tower Bridge and crossed this famous landmark before continuing to the Tate Modern, where we had the opportunity to explore the museum. Our sightseeing tour then took us to the London Eye and Big Ben, two of the city’s most iconic attractions. Afterwards, we saw Buckingham Palace and enjoyed a short break in St. James’s Park. Our final stop was Covent Garden, where we had some free time to wander around and do a bit of shopping. In the late afternoon, we returned to Cambridge by train. Although everyone was exhausted after exploring the city on foot, it was an unforgettable experience and a perfect way to discover London.
On Sunday, we went on a hike to Grantchester, a village known for its beautiful landscapes and tea gardens. Unfortunately, the place was crowded with tourists. On our way back, we saw cows on the street near a park in Cambridge. We were asked not to disturb them, and they peacefully grazed. Later, many of us went punting on the River Cam, where we came across a group of students singing. We assumed they were practising for a special event.
Monday morning lessons at school were followed by an interesting afternoon activity – urban photo orienteering. For this activity, we received a poem with hidden clues to find certain places or buildings in Cambridge, which we had to take pictures of. After some free time, we also went on a ghost walk in the evening, where a guide told us about the darker side of Cambridge.
The following day, we had the opportunity to present the projects we had been working on during our lessons. Afterwards, we were awarded participation certificates by the Experio English teachers. As a surprise, our teachers announced a trip to the Cambridge leisure centre as a reward for our hard work. There, we enjoyed bowling, playing arcade games, and singing karaoke together.
Our last day, Wednesday, began at three o’clock in the morning. Taxis picked us up from our host families and took us to the bus station. From there, it took about an hour to reach Stansted Airport, where we waited around three hours before boarding the plane. Unfortunately, our departure was delayed by another thirty minutes. After arriving at Vienna Airport, we waited about an hour for our train back to Deutschkreutz. Finally, we arrived home in the late afternoon.
In conclusion, the English Language Week in Cambridge was a unique and enriching experience for all of us. We not only improved our language skills but also gained valuable insights into British culture and everyday life. The trip allowed us to become more independent, strengthen our friendships, and create unforgettable memories that we will cherish for a long time.
Elisa, Stella, Hannah, Diana, Isabella, Hyewon (6A)
