Holiday in the halls of academe

The International Summer Program at Cambridge University, a learning vacations, requires early applications

It’s obviously too late to sign up for a summer vacation stay at one of the great English-language universities, which open their classrooms and residence halls each July and August to adults of all ages. Because these stays are so popular, and often are sold out by early spring, it’s important to examine them now and to submit your application long in advance for the courses that most intrigue you.

I have earlier written about the summer programs offered by Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., by Oxford University in Oxford, England, and St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But I have failed to give equal attention to the International Summer Program at the famous Cambridge University, located in Cambridge, England. Several returning “students” (one is 70 years old, others are younger) who attended that program in July have now briefed me about their experiences, and they all were so enthusiastic about this unique vacation that I felt their story needs to be told.

Cambridge calls this an “international” program, and this year’s courses were attended by adults from 58 countries, including Great Britain, the United States, Europe, China and South America. The only common feature among all these students is that they were all fluent in English. Students reside for one to four weeks, as they choose, in the vacated summer residence of a Cambridge student. All of the students were satisfied with their accommodations in comfortable student rooms.

The curriculum encompasses many subjects, including science, literature, history, politics and sociology. Most students select two classes, the first attended for 90 minutes every morning for a week, and the second attended for that same period in the afternoon. Between their two main classes, students are urged to attend plenary one-hour lectures at noon, just before lunch. The plenaries are on a favorite topic of a famous local professor, and range from discussions of Greek and Roman literature to the British Enigma machine that broke the Nazi code in the Second World War.

At night, even more lectures or musical or dramatic performances are offered, all to be freely chosen by participants in the school. Courses themselves are lively sessions, with much student participation as they question or comment upon the delivery of the faculty members.

Three of my informants chose an afternoon one-week course in the novels and novellas of Henry James (for which they were advised to read in advance) and a morning oneweek course in the surprisingly profound treatment of children’s literature, ranging from “Peter Pan” to “Harry Potter” (a subject of increasing, serious attention in colleges around the world, which regard such books as offering important insights into culture and society). Another informant was enthusiastic about her course in Shakespeare.

Squeezed in at other times was a walking tour of the Cambridge campus, viewing the rooms where Sir Isaac Newton studied, the campus digs of Charles Darwin and another building housing and ministering to the needs of the university’s most famous current figure: Stephen Hawking.

The cost? An all-inclusive charge of 1,100 British pounds ($1,430) for one week, including a single room for one person traveling alone, two meals a day, all lectures both specialized and plenary, and all other activities. (Airfare to Britain is, of course, extra.)

The program requires no tests or examinations (students participate simply for the sake of learning), although some wanting recognition of their attendance can prepare papers, which are graded for submission to the student’s home university, if they are still attending one.

I wish I could properly convey the enthusiasm of my informants following their unforgettable stay in one of the most famous places of education, studded with structures built in the long-ago time of Henry VI. I was so impressed that I definitely will consider a stay for myself in summer 2017. All that is required is a computer’s search engine to access details of next year’s program. Headed to the City of Light? Here’s an option for cheaper accommodation courtesy of travelchannel.com “Bunk with a Parisian family through Good Morning Paris, an organization that arranges guest rooms at certified bed and breakfasts around the city. The host family provides a key to the house as well as a comfortable bedroom, bathroom, breakfast and a local perspective on the City of Light. All rooms feature unique character, whether that’s a private balcony, Think you’re going to remember all the details of your trip? Not likely. Some advice from The Everywhereist: “Take Notes. As much as you believe the contrary, once you get home you will not remember your tour guide’s name, or the artist whose worked you loved so much, or even the city where you stayed. Write it down.” Source: www.everywhereist. com