EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
London, Oxford, Paris & 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
- Create your own French perfume at a private atelier du parfum
- Cruise down the Thames River to see London’s major landmarks
- 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 explore the quirky, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city of London! Immerse yourself in the city’s energy as we visit Westminster, where you’ll witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony and admire the grandeur of Westminster Abbey. Discover famous landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, then round off the experience with a classic British treat, fish and chips, at a beloved local pub.
Days 4-5: London & Oxford, England
Put your forensic skills to the test at a fictional crime scene with a real Scotland Yard detective. Then, escape London for a visit to Oxford University to wander cobblestone streets, explore historic buildings and discover millions of specimens at the Oxford Museum of Natural History. Return to London for a West End show, browse the famous Camden Market and finally board a high-speed train under the English Channel to Paris, reaching nearly 200 miles per hour!
Days 6-8: Paris, France
Bonjour Paris! Explore the city like a local via the Metro, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells of cafés, pastries and street music. Climb the Eiffel Tower, wander the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, cycle through the gardens of Versailles, and savor authentic French cuisine. Connect with the city’s heartbeat through a community service project, explore the artistic Montmartre neighborhood and the Sacré-Cœur and discover science at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie with a planetarium show. Finally, craft your own personalized perfume at a French atelier before saying “Au Revoir, Paris” and boarding the train to Geneva!
Days 9-11: Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, a global hub of diplomacy and science, is home to the United Nations. Visit the Palais de Nations to learn about peace and freedom, then explore cutting-edge physics at CERN. Experience Swiss culture through a chocolate-making workshop, traditional fondue and a refreshing dip in Lake Geneva. Before long, your journey through Europe’s most influential cities in art and science comes to an end. Adieu and à la prochaine!
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
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
July 08 – July 19, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
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
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Program Location: Multi-Country
Program Type(s): Career Exploration, Exploratory Travel
Every GLA Program is 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
Anslee K. | 2024 Alumni Student
“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.”
The Program Experience
Career Exploration
Step into Europe’s top scientific centers to explore careers across forensics, astrophysics, molecular biology and chemical engineering. Put forensic analysis into practice by isolating and extracting DNA from a mock crime scene to identify a suspect using real molecular techniques. Go behind the scenes at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva to experience a day in the life of an international research scientist, examining particle accelerators, detectors and fundamental physics. Conclude your laboratory studies by examining cosmetic chemistry experimenting with fragrance formulation and scent extraction to register your own custom-blended perfume.
Exploratory Travel
Journey across three iconic European nations: England, France and Switzerland using the continent’s living history and scientific facilities as your personal classroom. Beyond hands-on laboratory workshops and interactive museum exhibits, connect directly with local communities through a dedicated service project tailored to regional needs, such as environmental conservation or food security initiatives. Through interactive demonstrations, collaborative team challenges, and cultural immersion across London, Paris and Geneva, discover how scientific innovation drives global progress.
Adventure
Explore the rich history and high-energy landmarks of Europe’s most famous cities! Experience the glamour of London’s historic West End theater district. Take in panoramic views of Paris from the summit of the Eiffel Tower, then embark on an interactive scavenger hunt through the halls of the Louvre. Wander the historic cobblestone streets of Geneva’s Old Town, enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue dinner and top off your multi-country expedition with a swim in the scenic waters of Lake Geneva.
Country Spotlight
Discover the distinct cultures, historic landmarks and world-class culinary traditions of Great Britain, France and Switzerland.
Lodging: Because of the dynamic, travel-focused nature of this multi-city program, accommodation transitions between comfortable, modern youth hostels featuring air-conditioned dorm-style rooms with en-suite bathrooms and 3-star hotel blocks offering 2–6 beds per student room with private en-suite facilities.
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
Photo Gallery
EUROPE
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
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