Events and Social Life

Exploring Your Surroundings

Coming to a new city on your own can be daunting, that’s why the International Academy runs a diverse and exciting programme of social events. These events help you make friends, practice your language skills and explore the tourist attractions of the UK and beyond.

Places of Historical Interest

See some of the UK’s most historical landmarks with trips to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Hampton Court Palace, British Museum and Canterbury Cathedral to name a few.

Arts and Culture

Rich in art and culture, the University boasts its own gallery and theatre (Lakeside Theatre) which we encourage students to attend. We also arrange and accompany students to local and national events and places renowned for its arts and culture. Regular visit includes the National Gallery, Victoria and Albert museum, musicals at the theatre, Opera and contemporary art at the Tate Modern and live Shakespeare plays at the Globe Theatre.

Day and weekend trips

We run excursions to some of the UK's most beautiful and famous places, organised full day and weekend tours to places like Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cornwall, Edinburgh, Glastonbury, Oxford, Salisbury, Stonehenge, Rochester, Bath, Brighton, The Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare, Isle of Wight, Wales and Scotland.

Further a field

During the holidays we arrange at least one European trip. Places we have taken students includes, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark.

Night Out

The Student’s Union runs its own night clubs on campus; the IA social team also arranges outings to restaurants, quiz nights, Ceilidh (sometimes called a barn dance), cinema and many other places.

Conversation Club and Cafe

Various conversation clubs are run during the year.  These include an International cafe run by Friends International (Colchester branch).

Events, socials and trips are advertised in advance through various media, these include the VLE Calendar, e-mails, student’s notice boards and flyers.

Students can usually reserve their places and buy a ticket from room 4.101 or by e-mailing iasocorg@essex.ac.uk.

Important:

If you will be shortly joining us we would encourage you to obtain a Schengen visa in your country before you arrive (if you are interested in travelling to any of the Schengen Countries bring your national costumes as we often have international celebration).

Last modified on 22 January 2010