A Comprehensive Record of Wahaha Students' British Collegiate Summer School Experience

Punting on the River Cam, Strolling through Oxford | Wahaha Students' "British Collegiate Style" Summer School Experience

The summer sun shines on ancient institutions, The heavy bell tolls the morning in England. This summer, students from Hangzhou Wahaha School continued their journey and arrived at the prestigious G5 universities in the UK, spending a "collegiate" summer school experience.

This "UK Summer School Team" personally visited the G5 universities in the UK, experienced real university life, directly communicated and learned from the professors of these universities, and even stayed in London University dormitories, earning a summer school certificate from the University of Cambridge! The Cambridge University Youth Summer Camp, tailored for Wahaha students, was based on the faculty, teaching environment, and research centers of various disciplines at Cambridge University, in collaboration with Oxford University and other G5 universities. The camp, modeled on the British education system, used immersive learning and experiences to fully enhance students' English skills, refine scientific thinking, and allow them to experience the collegiate life and learning atmosphere of top universities in the world comprehensively.

Dreaming of Cambridge, Bidding Farewell to the Cam

The British journey began on a high note, with the students arriving at the long-cherished University of Cambridge as the first stop. The first week's courses were entirely taught in English by Cambridge University professors, with a focus on enhancing English skills and offering interactive teaching across various fields, from arts and humanities to technological innovation. In the Sonic Pi programming class, students created music with code. This learning method not only honed their programming skills but also sparked a love for music. In the "Diverse Britain" English class, English teacher Emily led the students to understand British culture, including weather, food, and social interactions, broadening their global perspective. During the architectural appreciation class, the students visited King's College, Trinity College, and Queen's College. Walking between the Gothic-style ancient churches and buildings, they deeply felt the rich history and cultural atmosphere of Cambridge University. At Cambridge's biology laboratory, the holy site where Francis Crick and James Watson discovered DNA, the students learned about genetic testing and tried to extract their own DNA. In the business school thinking class, the students, along with Professor Alan from Cambridge Business School, used Lego to build bridges, learning critical thinking, four-dimensional space, and innovative thinking. Professor Alan was amazed by the Wahaha students' rich imagination and hands-on abilities. Professor Alan, who has visited China more than 20 times and made significant contributions to Sino-British educational exchanges, brought along a treasured bilingual Chinese-English poetry collection and invited the students to read aloud together. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and it was as if everyone had returned to the Cambridge of Xu Zhimo, where poetry and history intertwined. In the astronomy class, the students used the oldest telescope at Cambridge University to search for sunspots, sparking a strong interest in astronomy. In the behavioral psychology class, the students danced the tango with two elderly professors, experiencing not only the physical movement and interaction brought by the dance but also the tacit understanding and connection with their partners. During field trips, the students visited the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, the Cambridge University Museum of Zoology, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, lingering in the long river of history and leisurely exploring the wonders of nature. The students also enjoyed punting on the beautiful River Cam. Led by a professional "captain," they relaxed on flat-bottomed boats, listening to local students share stories of the eight colleges and nine bridges along the Cam. At the final stop of the journey, the students attended a formal dinner and graduation ceremony at Cambridge University. The elegant and enjoyable dinner brought the Cambridge journey to a perfect conclusion. A prestigious university is not only a hall of knowledge but also a cradle of dreams, and each student was filled with reverence and longing for Cambridge.

Visiting Oxford, Encountering Magic

After completing the first week's studies, the students reluctantly bid farewell to Cambridge University and continued their journey to the second stop: the historic University of Oxford, beginning a new adventure. At Oxford University, Professor Matt brought a public speaking art class, focusing on improving students' expression skills and confidence. Many students bravely and confidently took the stage to share their experiences in the UK over the past few days. Strolling through Christ Church College and the Radcliffe Camera, one of the filming locations for the "Harry Potter" movies, it felt like stepping into a magical world. The students also visited the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where they marveled at the wonders and diversity of nature.

Strolling through London, Visiting Renowned Universities

The Oxford journey had already broadened the students' horizons, but a bigger world awaited exploration. After saying goodbye to Oxford University, the students traveled overnight to London, embarking on a study visit to three prestigious universities: Imperial College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and University College London. At Imperial College London, the students listened to Professor Ye's lecture on biology and her adventures in Antarctica; at the London School of Economics, they attended a lecture on finance and social media; and at University College London's Bartlett School of Architecture, they studied design and creativity. Wherever they were, the students always had a "sparkle in their eyes." They were confident and determined, undeterred by unfamiliar environments and new challenges, always able to quietly learn new knowledge and boldly express their opinions. In between study visits, the students also took time to check off various landmark buildings in London. They ascended the London Eye, overlooking the world-famous city; watched the Thames River quietly flow by as Big Ben stood tall; visited the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, Buckingham Palace, and the Greenwich Observatory, experiencing the fusion and collision of history and modern civilization. The most memorable part of the journey was the play "Matilda" at the Cambridge Theatre, where the young girl Matilda, with her intelligence and courage, stood up to her vulgar parents and strict headmistress, ultimately creating miracles. The brilliant performances of the actors captivated us, and the students applauded and cheered frequently, deeply moved.

From the Poetry of the Cam to the Prosperity of London, from the Magic of Oxford to the Wisdom of Prestigious Universities, We Walked Through the History and Modernity of Britain Together, Feeling the Pulse of Every City and Listening to the Stories of Every Land.

The two-week Cambridge Summer School came to a successful conclusion. The children not only gained knowledge in the classroom but also found their dreams in these centuries-old schools. They not only gained a wealth of knowledge but also deeply felt the unique humanistic feelings of Britain. Through contact and integration with the local culture, they gained a deeper understanding of British history, culture, and society.

Summer School Results Sharing Plan

After the new semester begins, the students of the UK Summer School team will carry out a "Review and Sharing of the British Journey," not only sharing their learning outcomes but also sharing their cultural exchange experiences, reviewing and reflecting on their learning experiences and personal growth during the summer school. We hope everyone can pack this beautiful time into their life's treasure box. It may one day become your encouragement and confidence in adversity; Or it may become the seed of your dream to enter a world-renowned university; Or it may become a unique and beautiful memory, accompanying you as you grow...