Europe CAS Trip

During the June Holidays, 17 students and three teachers embarked on a journey to visit the universities in the Netherlands and the UK. In the Netherlands, we visited three universities: University College Utrecht (UCU), Tilburg University and Erasmus University Rotterdam. We also visited three Scottish Universities in the UK: University of Glasgow, University of St. Andrews and University of Edinburgh. Lastly, we visited King’s College London (KCL) and University College London (UCL).

At each university, we were given a campus tour as well as a talk about the university. At some of the universities, we got to meet ACS (International) alumni who gave us meaningful insights on how they adapted to studying overseas. We also had a taste of campus life when we stayed in the University of Edinburgh campus dormitories.

At Tilburg University, we conducted our creativity project that we were planning prior to the trip. We carried out three different activities in order to raise funds for charity: showcasing Chinese calligraphy, selling Asian recipe cookbooks and Asian games such as “chapteh” and Chinese chess. We faced many challenges as most of the students did not carry cash with them and could only pay by card or were just generally uninterested in the activities we offered. Despite that, we still managed to raise some money and felt happy that we would be donating to a good cause.

Throughout the trip, we also managed to do some sightseeing.

In the Netherlands, we went on a canal cruise, visited the Heineken experience, the Diamant Museum and NEMO Museum, and the port of Rotterdam. In Scotland, we went to the Scotch Whiskey experience and Edinburgh Castle, while in London we got to go to Oxford Street and go on the London Eye.

These were enjoyable moments with everyone as we had bonded through the long bus rides and during meals. As the trip came to a close, I was sad to leave but definitely had no regrets coming on this trip. I had made good friends and now have a good idea how universities in the UK and Netherlands differ, which will allow me to make an informed choice when it is time to apply for universities.

It was a fun and delightful trip filled with memories.

Clarissa Chu, 6 OLD