EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
London, Oxford, Paris, and Geneva
Travel and science collide as we explore the epicenters of STEM learning in Europe. Discover London, Oxford, Paris, and Geneva, and visit the iconic CERN facility in Switzerland!
Program Overview
Travel to three cities that are making their mark in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Your adventure begins in London, the metropolitan hub of Great Britain. Hop across the English Channel and spend three days in Paris, exploring the ‘City of Light,’ named for its role in the Age of Enlightenment. Finally, take a high-speed train south to Geneva, home of the United Nations and a historic hub for scientific research in Europe.
On GLA’s Europe: The STEM Experience program you will:
- Journey by train from London to Paris and Geneva.
- Explore the world-renowned CERN facility in Switzerland.
- Visit the iconic Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum in Paris.
- Cruise down the Thames River, taking in London’s iconic landmarks, then dive into the city’s magic with a Harry Potter tour and show on the West End.
- Pitch in on a meaningful service project to support a local community.
- Visit the prestigious Oxford University and Oxford’s Museum of Natural History.
- Discover how science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics cross cultural boundaries and borders.
Program Menu
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to London! GLA staff will greet you at the airport in their GLA t-shirts. Today, we’ll settle into our accommodation, connect with fellow travelers and staff, and go over what to expect during orientation. Before resting, we’ll enjoy a local welcome dinner.
Days 2-3: London, England
Get ready to dive into the vibrant city of London! Witness the Changing of the Guard at Westminster, tour the Tower of London with a Beefeater, and enjoy a night on the West End. Visit Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and savor fish and chips at a local pub.
Plus, step into the wizarding world on a Harry Potter-themed walking tour, visiting iconic filming locations and Platform 9¾!
Days 4-5: London & Oxford, England
Use your forensic skills to investigate a fictional crime scene and collect DNA with a real Scotland Yard detective. Next, explore Oxford, home to one of the world’s oldest universities. Walk through historic streets, visit the Oxford Museum of Natural History, and see where famous scientists studied. Return to London for a West End show, then visit Camden Market before saying “Ta ta for now” to the city. We’ll board a high-speed train to Paris, traveling 200 mph beneath the English Channel!
Days 6-8: Paris, France
Bonjour Paris! Explore the city like a local, using the Metro to navigate the bustling streets filled with fresh pastries, jazz, and fashionable Parisians at sidewalk cafés. No visit is complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, biking through Versailles’ gardens, and savoring true French cuisine. Dive deeper into Paris with a local community service project to support an underserved neighborhood. Wander the charming Montmartre, home to Sacré-Cœur and stunning city views. Visit the Cité des Sciences et de L’Industrie, Europe’s largest science museum, for an astronomy talk in the Planetarium.
Then, shout “Au Revoir, Paris” and board the train to Geneva!
Days 9-11: Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, a hub for diplomacy, politics, and science, has been home to the United Nations since 1936. We’ll explore its legacy on a guided visit to the Palais de Nations, gaining a new perspective on “an air of peace and the winds of freedom.” Next, we’ll delve into the world of physics at CERN, the European Council for Nuclear Research, to learn about cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs. We’ll also immerse ourselves in Swiss culture with a chocolate-making workshop, traditional fondue, and a refreshing dip in Lake Geneva.
As our journey through some of the world’s most influential cities in art and science concludes, we bid you adieu and à la prochaine—until next time!
Day 12: Departure
Before we know it, our STEM adventure will come to an end. Head to the airport with incredible memories, new friends, and confidence that will last a lifetime!
GLA staff will accompany you to the airport and assist with check-in. As you settle into your seat for the journey home, reflect on the sights, people, and places you experienced. We’ll see you on your next adventure!
Program Map
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
Community Service
While this program spans multiple countries and emphasizes travel, learning and immersion, at the heart of every GLA program is meaningful community service. On this program, you will lend a hand to a community or organization in need. This may involve an environmental project, helping at a pantry or food kitchen or partnering with a local group to support a community initiative. We will select a service project that aligns with the community’s needs as the program session approaches.
Hands-on Learning
From cutting-edge research at Europe’s most prestigious science facilities to museum exhibits and functional labs, you’ll participate in a variety of hands-on workshops and demonstrations, with concentrations spanning forensics, astrophysics, and transportation. Collect DNA from a fictional crime scene and use molecular techniques to identify the culprit. Experience a day in the life of a scientist at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Explore the mysteries of the universe and learn about the monumental equipment used at CERN, including particle accelerators and detectors.
Adventure
In one of the world’s most scientifically rich regions, adventure awaits at every turn. Experience the timeless glamour of London’s famous West End, a theater district hundreds of years older than Broadway. Enjoy sweeping views of Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower, then explore the Louvre with a scavenger hunt. Stroll through Geneva’s Old Town and savor a special fondue dinner made with locally produced Swiss cheeses. End your journey with a dip in the serene waters of Lake Geneva!
Lodging & Meals
Students will have various Home Bases throughout the program due to its travel-focused nature, including youth hostels or hotel blocks. Youth hostels offer dorm-style accommodations with AC, en-suite bathrooms and common areas. All hotels are 3-star, featuring en-suite bathrooms, AC and rooms with 2-6 beds.
Experience the wonders of the most diverse food cities of the world! In London, enjoy classics like fish and chips, hearty pies, or trendy street food from markets like Camden. Paris offers delicious croissants, crêpes, and baguette sandwiches, along with sweet treats like macarons. In Geneva, savor Swiss specialties like cheese fondue, raclette, and rich Swiss chocolate, making for a tasty and memorable food adventure across these famous cities.
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
Dates & Tuition
12-Day Program
2025 Session Dates
June 15 – June 26, 2025
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“It’s a saying that you can’t truly understand something unless you were there. That is absolutely acurate for a GLA trip. Any story I tell or any memory I recall will never fully describe the connections and learning tools I took away from this trip. The lifelong connections and the countless memories will live on in my heart forever.”
Anslee K. | Student | 2024
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
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