When most students consider studying abroad, they think ‘junior year, spring semester’ and while that’s all well and good, we want to highlight some of the benefits of spending your fall semester abroad instead. Here are all the reasons why you should apply for the fall program.
Program Size
The program in the fall tends to be smaller than the spring semester (we see you USC Football). However, smaller program sizes mean that you get to know the rest of your cohort better and get to meet peers outside of USC. Our Fall program has more academic and cultural crossover experiences with other University of California students also studying at ACCENT.
Program Features
The Fall program also includes two unique opportunities not available in the spring.
1. Academic workshop in Sicily, Italy
2. Alumni Mentorship Program
Sicily Excursion
As part of the curriculum, mid-way through the semester students get a break from the hustle and bustle of the streets of London and head south to Sicily, Italy. In this unique integrated academic workshop, students explore the rich cultural diversity and historical importance contrasted through two distinctly different places: the modern metropolis of London and the ancient metropolis of Siracusa.
Hike on a volcano, explore Ancient Grecian ruins, and enjoy the warm southern Mediterranean sunshine. This is an experience that cannot be missed!
Alumni Mentorship Program
Another highlight of the fall semester is our Alumni Mentorship Program. The USC Trojan Network spans the globe and London is no exception. In partnership with the USC Global London Office, we work to pair students directly with local alumni living and working in London. Students spend a semester meeting one-on-one with their mentors gaining career guidance and insight into what it’s like to be a working professional in London.
Time of Year
While it’s true that in the spring, the weather gets warmer towards the end of the semester. In the fall, you get the best of both worlds. Long late-summer days are still in full swing just as you arrive and start to get acclimated to your new city. This allows you to hit the ground running and easily explore more of your new home.
As summer turns to fall, London turns into one of the most magical cities in the world is arguably one of the best times of year to be in the city. As soon as November hits, the city fully embraces the festiveness of the holiday season. The mood across the city is vibrant and celebratory. You have to visit the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park during this time, it transforms into a sparkling winter magic.
As mentioned earlier, during the Fall program the students get a mid-term break where they travel to Sicily, Italy for a week as a part of an integrated academic workshop. This trip allows students to immerse themselves and draw comparisons between two completely diverse cultures, the modern metropolis of London and the ancient, historic city of Syracuse.
There are also several festivals and celebrations that occur across Europe during the fall season. Europe’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival occurs in London usually on the last week of August. The two-day festival is the most anticipated British street party of the year. Expect steel bands, dancers, colorful floats and around 40 sound systems blasting afro-beats and soca to spread the carnival spirit, as well free flow of street food and rum.
In Europe, fall also calls for the famous Oktoberfest, the German festival that celebrates all things food, beer and merrymaking. The festival runs from September 19- October 4 in Munich, which is a short flight of 1.5 hours from London. This is a must-visit for anyone interested in indulging in a traditional, European folk festival. Besides, if you can’t make it to Germany, London has it’s very own Oktoberfest which celebrates the Bavarian culture under a tent with oompah bands, sizzling bratwurst and pints.
Another famous to-do festival while in Europe is La Tomatina in Spain. Usually occurs on the last week of August, a fun cultural event where people throw tomatoes at each other for entertainment purposes. I mean, who wouldn’t want to do that?!
During the fall time, the students will also have the option to do the Buckingham Palace tour as the palace is only open in the summer months from July- October. The students also get to fully immerse in the London culture and celebrate both Bonfire Night, which occurs on November 5, and get to be spooked up for Halloween during their semester abroad in London.
So what are you waiting for? Apply now for the London Fall 2020 program, application due on February 18 (yes, we’ve extended the deadline). If you have any questions regarding the London program, you can email us or book an appointment with us here.