The application process for the YYGS programme is highly competitive with over 6500 applications last year and each summer, students from over 125 countries participate in one of five interdisciplinary sessions at Yale’s historic campus. 

Emily, now in the Upper Sixth, reports on her experience, 

“During the summer holidays, I participated in the Yale Young Global Scholars programme at Yale University. Having been told about it by the Overseas Universities Advisor, Mrs Barnard and having done some of my own research, I knew that I wanted to apply for their International Affairs and Globalisation course. I applied in January and was thrilled to discover in April that I had been accepted. 

It was a two-week course and I stayed in one of Yale’s residential colleges, meeting people from all over the world. As well as creating lifelong friends from different places and cultures, I was able to engage in conversations about topical global issues with people having varying opinions.   

I attended different lectures and seminars, addressing issues such as Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the global refugee crisis and the role of women in politics, which I had chosen in advance. I also worked in a group to prepare a capstone project on the links between climate change and war, which we presented on the last day to the other students and Yale faculty staff. Outside the classroom, I spent time with my new friends eating my way around the Yale campus and exploring the various historic libraries and museums. 

I had the most amazing experience and am so grateful to everyone at School who helped me with my application. I learnt a huge amount much about international relations, which has inspired me to study this at university level, and I would strongly encourage anyone in the Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth to apply for next summer.” 

Find out more about how the Higher Education and Global Initiatives Department supports girls who want to study overseas.