About
In March 2020 seniors who are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program will once again be offered an international educational experience. London was chosen as the inaugural destination for this program in 2014 for its global prominence in business and economics as well as a nonexistent language barrier. We are returning for the fourth time this year and once again the trip is being designed from the ground up around four themes—Business and Economics, CAS, Global Education, and Cultural Experiences
Business and Economics
According to The Global Financial Centres Index 16 London is the 2nd most important financial center in the world after New York. We plan a series of visits to global and London-based corporations and government entities. Past visits have included Lloyd’s of London, London Metal Exchange, Inland Revenue, NBA Europe, City of London Division of Economic Affairs, Swiss Re, and Vodafone. Students will attend lectures with corporate leaders.
CAS
The foundation of the IB Diploma is the CAS requirement—150 hours in Creative, Action, and Service pursuits. Up until these global study programs BCA has provided little to no opportunities for students to accrue these hours in a group setting, which not only helps build camaraderie, but reinforces the values of CAS. For Creative hours, which requires the stimulating of the mind, there will be visits to the British Museum, Tower of London, and Parliament. To encourage students to lead an active lifestyle, we will embark on a bike tour of Hyde Park and the Palaces. Giving back to a community in need is also a large part of CAS, and as a group we will again be participating in a service project with Rhythms of Life, a hunger/homelessness charity located in Central London. In the past our students have painted, cleaned, organized food, and cooked and served meals to the homeless in Trafalgar Square.
Global Education
At one of the top local IB schools in London, our students will shadow other students, attend classes, and absorb the culture of a top-performing global IB high school. Through a visit to this high school students will see that although there are vast differences in secondary education in both countries, the themes and values of the IB diploma remain constant in all 148 countries it is offered in. London is also ranked the 5th best city for university students in the world by QS and students will tour Oxford University, London School of Economics, and University College London.
Cultural Experiences
London offers a diverse history and many opportunities for cultural exploration. We will see the changing of the guard, a copy of the Magna Carta and the Rosetta stone, explore local markets, and see a play in the West End among others. Through these experiences the IB students will bond together and return the US with not only a new appreciation for the world, but a new appreciation for the IB Diploma and for each other.
Logistics
Accommodations
We will be staying at the Premier Inn London King's Cross, a 4.5 star Tripadvisor-reviewed luxury hotel steps away from the King's Cross Tube station. Students will be housed in triple rooms, with each student receiving their own bed.
Dining
Breakfast will be at your leisure in our hotel each morning, lunch (not included) will be on the run at markets or food courts, and dinners will be at some of London's most exciting restaurants!
Transportation
After our non-stop flight to London, we will be using the world-famous Tube (London Underground) as our primary means of transportation during the program. There will also be extensive walking and students can expect to walk between 5-8 miles per day.
