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Widening Participation University Tour to New York
Example study tour
Created for the University of Southampton
With widening participation high on the agenda for both the government and higher education establishments, some leading universities are proactively offering student mobility programmes to groups currently under-represented in higher education.
The university was taking steps to ensure the opportunity and benefits of international experiences are open to students from low participation backgrounds; including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, those with a known disability and those from a BAME background.
To allow students to increase their global awareness, connect with an alumni-network and gain a deeper insight into business and industry, students on the university’s Advance Programme had the opportunity to visit New York in 2019.
At StudyLink, we created a bespoke 8-day itinerary that would allow their students to gain cultural competences that would improve their future employability prospects.
Group travel services provided by StudyLink
- Return flights from Heathrow International Airport
- Return airport transfers in New York
- 6 nights’ accommodation at the centrally-located YMCA
- Pre-booked breakfasts and evening meals, from evening meal on day 1 through to breakfast on day 7
- Pre-booked metro cards for use on New York’s public transportation system throughout the trip
- Pre-booked cultural visits during the tour, including: Midtown Manhattan walking tour, New York Yankee’s baseball match, Full-day study programme at the Business and Financial School of New York, Broadway performance of King Kong, Wall Street walking tour, self-guided tour of the Empire State Building
- Bespoke free-place ratio
- 24/7 on-call service
- Services of a dedicated Account Executive
- Bespoke itinerary planning service
- Online trip organiser & travel app
- Risk management services including live trip tracking
Custom-made 8-day itinerary to New York
Day 1 - Arrive in New York
The group make their own way to the airport, where they boarded their morning flight to New York. After arriving at the airport, the group were met by the StudyLink coach company for transfer to their accommodation.
Staying at the YMCA, the group were centrally located to explore the city.
In the evening the group used their public transport cards, for their pre-arranged visit to the Heartland Brewery.
Day 2 - Group-planned activity
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
Free time was scheduled for the group to explore and familiarise themselves with the local area, visit New York’s famous shops and discover the city’s famous attractions.
Day 3 - Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour & New York Yankees
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
The group met their local tour guides and went on the Midtown ManhattanWalking Tour, which includes the following sights:
- Times Square & Broadway
- Rockefeller Center,
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Fifth Avenue
- Grand Central Terminal
- United Nations
- Headquarters (exterior only)
- Central Park
In the evening, StudyLink had arranged for the group to watch the New York Yankees Baseball match.
Day 4 - Business & Financial School of New York
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
StudyLink had arranged for the group to have a full day study programme of lectures and workshops at the Business and Financial School of New York.
In the evening, the group enjoyed a pre-arranged meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp and then got the opportunity to see the evening performance of King Kong on Broadway.
Day 5 - Wall Street Walking Tour
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
StudyLink arranged for a Wall Street Walking Tour & Workshop. This visit included a one hour conversation with a successful Financial Analyst, Trader or other finance professional who will address topics and issues relevant to today's finance and business. The topics covered will help students develop the skills and knowledge to think critically about issues, analyze information and make the right decisions. At the end of the group had time for a Q&A session.
In the evening, the group went for a pre-arranged meal at the Dallas BBQ restaurant.
Day 6 - Empire State Building
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
The group had the day free to explore the iconic sights of New York City.
In the evening, StudyLink had made arrangements for the group to enjoy dinner at Jing Fong Restaurant; followed by a visit to the Empire State Building.
Day 7 - Flight back to the UK
Continental breakfast served at a local restaurant.
The group were to check out of their accommodation, but had some free time for some last-minute sightseeing.
Late afternoon, the group were picked up by coach for their transfer to the airport, for their evening flight back to the UK.
Day 8 - Arrive in the UK
The group land back in the UK in the morning and are met by their coach driver, for transport back to the university.
Centrally-located, student-friendly accommodation at preferential group rates
Our room rates are guaranteed too, so you can reserve your beds whilst you confirm your passenger numbers.
Popular options include:
Hotel Pennsylvania
A very large hotel with 1700 rooms in Manhattan. This hotel offers basic accommodation, some rooms are tired and worn however this is a great value hotel in a superb central location.
YMCA Vanderbilt
A very large hostel with 365 rooms centrally located in the East Midtown area of Manhattan. The hostel offers a simple standard of accommodation with basic single and twin bunk rooms and recreational facilities on site.
