What Is Leadership Academy?
Leadership Academy is designed to give time and space for you to reflect on the year you have had and think about how you will bring it forward into your future. You will be reunited with each other so you can see the growth that each of you has gone through individually, as well as the overall growth that you have experienced as a cohort.
While travelling to and from Ashridge throughout the week, buses will be organized by European Immersion groups with your original Tour Directors. We hope you’ll take advantage of free time, meals, and structured programming to connect with new friends and old. It’s never too late to meet your new bestie!
During Leadership Academy, when the full group is not together, you'll be divided into different sub-groups using a variety of cohorts you had throughout the year.
We want Leadership Academy to be a fun, positive, and meaningful experience for all students. We expect you to continue to adhere to the Rules of the Road – breaking these rules will have serious ramifications, even in your final days. You will have 3 days and 2 nights in London prior to heading to Ashridge. These days will be a mix of structured activities and free time. Use this time in London to explore and enjoy the city life, as once we head to Ashridge, we will remain there on its beautiful grounds for most of the rest of the program.
We also expect you to be present and engaged during all the sessions we have planned for you at Ashridge. Alumni can attest to the impact of this experience and its benefits both in the moment and when they've returned home. We have intentionally given you plenty of free time to balance the structured activities, so make sure to use that free time for socializing and relaxing!
Please note: The bars at Ashridge and exercise facility are not available for our group. There's plenty of food provided at our meals along with the delicious onsite cafe for you to enjoy. In addition, there's plenty of outdoor space to explore to get good physical activity.
We recognize that some students may be observing a religious holiday during this time. EF is proud to always support our students in doing so, whether that be specific dietary needs or space to practice their religion. If a holiday of yours coincides with Leadership Academy, let your advisor know as soon as possible. We’ll do everything we can on our end to help you observe in a meaningful way.
Schedule of events
The schedule outlined below is intentionally a mix of structured activities that will help you reflect and prepare for your return, conversations with inspiring EF employees, and free time for you to enjoy each other’s company. And of course, this is also a time to celebrate! We will be celebrating all that you have achieved and accomplished throughout your time on the program.
As always, our itinerary is subject to change, so please defer to your Tour Directors for the most updated information.
All Day: Arrivals to London
An EF Tour Director will meet you at the London airport to bring you to the hotel. Enjoy free time to rest or to explore London if you arrive earlier in the day!
Evening: Dinner on your own
For dinner, your EF Tour Director will give you a cash handout to explore some of the many amazing culinary options in London! Connect with some of your friends you perhaps haven’t seen in a while and head out to explore the city.
Overnight at the Hilton London Kensington
7:00-11:00am: Breakfast at the hotel
All Day: Explore London
This day is for you to use all the travel smarts and independence you’ve gained throughout your year to explore London at your own pace. You’ve already seen the biggest must-sees during your Guided Exploration in Europe at the beginning of your program, so what is left on your bucket list to see? Grab a friend (or a few) and head out into the city.
Make sure to get all your city living out of your system on this day, as the next day, you will head to Ashridge, which is far outside London in the countryside.
6:00pm: Welcome Dinner
Have dinner with the group and celebrate having reached this important milestone in your Gap Year experience. Enjoy a traditional English pub dinner at Doggett’s Coat & Badge, which overlooks the Thames.
Overnight at the Hilton London Kensington
6:30-10:00am: Breakfast at Hotel
Morning & Early Afternoon: Free Time
Spend your final morning exploring the city where it all began. Grab one last fish and chips or explore a new neighborhood before heading off to the beautiful Ashridge House. Have lunch on your own.
2:00pm: Be back at hotel to depart for Ashridge
Head out of the city and into the idyllic English countryside. Take note of the changing landscape as we travel to Ashridge by bus.
4:00pm: Welcome to Leadership Academy [Fairhaven]
Kickoff the Leadership Academy experience with an overview of the schedule and introduction of staff who will join you for the remainder of the week. Afterwards, get your room key and spend some time settling in.
7:00pm: Dinner [Repton Hall]
8:30pm: Stargazing [Meet in Fairhaven]
Take a walk on the dark side with a casual nighttime stroll on the grounds of Ashridge. As you look forward to what comes next in life, we’ll look up at the stars to help guide you on that path. Bring your camera, memories, and your friends! (Weather permitting). This activity is optional.
Overnight at Ashridge House
7:00-9:00am: Breakfast [Repton Hall]
8:30-9:15am: Morning Fun (optional)
9:30am: Welcome [Fairhaven]
9:45am:
Gap Rollercoaster (Thailand service cohorts) [Fairhaven]
Your EF gap year can be a rollercoaster of emotions. With so many friends, countries, languages, and experiences, it’s hard to find time to pause and assess everything you just went through. Buckle up because this activity will refresh your memory and allow you to reflect on your EF ride of a lifetime.
Gap in a Pack (Latin America service cohorts) [Coach House Loft]
Don’t you wish you could throw your favorite roommate, Tour Director, and French pastries in your backpack, so they are with you forever? This activity will help us spill out our collective backpack and decide what’s worth taking home and what may be worth leaving behind. Most importantly, we’ll reveal what impact this cohort can have on the communities you’ll go to next.
11:00am: Break
11:15am:
Gap Rollercoaster (Latin American service cohorts) [Fairhaven]
Your EF gap year can be a rollercoaster of emotions. With so many friends, countries, languages, and experiences, it’s hard to find time to pause and assess everything you just went through. Buckle up because this activity will refresh your memory and allow you to reflect on your EF ride of a lifetime.
Gap in a Pack (Thailand service cohorts) [Coach House Loft]
Don’t you wish you could throw your favorite roommate, Tour Director, and French pastries in your backpack, so they are with you forever? This activity will help us spill out our collective backpack and decide what’s worth taking home and what may be worth leaving behind. Most importantly, we’ll reveal what impact this cohort can have on the communities you’ll go to next.
12:30pm: Lunch [Repton Hall]
1:30pm: Global Citizenship [Fairhaven]
It’s no secret that your passport has gone from bland to glammed! This activity will get you up and moving as you reflect on how your global travels and cultural immersions have impacted your worldview and personal identity.
2:15pm: Break
2:30pm: Attitude of Gratitude: Tapping [Coach House Loft]
Everyone has brought something unique to this cohort, but not everyone realizes it. Feel all the “warm and fuzzies” inside at this EF Gap Year traditional activity that should not be missed!
3:30pm: Tour of Ashridge
Did you know the moving staircases at Hogwarts were inspired by those at Ashridge? A special mold was taken at the castle to recreate the iconic design on set! Discover more fun facts and learn your way around with a brief guided tour of the magnificent estate you’re living in!
5:00pm: TD Magical Quest
7:00pm: Dinner [Repton Hall]
8:30pm: Movie Night (optional)
Enjoy a chill evening with a great movie!
Overnight at Ashridge House
7:00-8:30 am: Breakfast [Repton Hall]
Make sure to have a hearty breakfast as we’re taking a day trip from Ashridge to explore the city of Oxford and tour Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Did you know the UK’s first cups of coffee were sold at the current site of The Grand Café in Oxford? Grab a cup of caffeinated history during your free time in town!
8:30am: Despi & Greg's groups depart for Oxford
9:00am: Stefanos & Vasileios' groups depart for Oxford
10:30am-12:15pm: Tour of Oxford: Despi & Greg's groups
11:00am-12:45pm: Tour of Oxford: Stefanos & Vasileios' groups
After your group’s tour, enjoy free time to explore the town of Oxford and its iconic university!
4:00pm: Despi & Greg's groups depart for Ashridge
4:30pm: Stefanos & Vasileios' groups depart for Ashridge
7:00pm: Dinner [Repton Hall]
8:30pm: PowerPoint Party [Fairhaven]
Kick back and relax as student volunteers share one amazing photo from their Gap journey and the unique one-minute tale that accompanies it. We’ll laugh, cry, and bond in one-minute intervals on this rapid-fire show-and-tell like you’ve never experienced before. Don’t wait, start finding your one photo now! This activity is optional. If you’re interested in presenting a special photo from your Gap Year, please submit it to Josh Ull (joshua.ull@ef.com) by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1.
Overnight at Ashridge House
7:00-9:00am: Breakfast [Repton Hall]
8:30-9:15am: Morning Fun [Meet outside Coach House]
Join Kendra for an amazing morning stretch-sesh on the beautiful Ashridge grounds. Come ready to relax, explore, and prepare for the day. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel to sit on. No prior experience necessary. This activity is optional.
9:30am: Welcome [Fairhaven]
9:45am: Storytelling Workshop [Fairhaven]
While your Instagram looks great and your Passport is running out of room, what's most important is how you translate your memories into stories that open doors for opportunities. This workshop will empower you to communicate your experiences in ways that will help you stand out from the crowd.
11:15am: Break
11:30am: Future Forward
What comes next is up to you! As you start planning for your next chapter, choose one of the following sessions to help you level-up your preparedness.
- Resume Rescue [Fairhaven]
Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, so it's essential to make it stand out. This workshop will help you learn the strategies and techniques to create a compelling resume (and LinkedIn) that showcases your Gap Year skills, experiences, and accomplishments effectively. Please bring your computer and your resume if you have either of those available.
- Internship Business Challenge [Fairhaven Lobby]
The tables have turned! Conceptualize an internship tailored to the interests of today's young adults and the needs of innovative companies. Using your own experience, you'll need to think creatively, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively as you navigate the various challenges of consultancy.
- Smooth Transitions: Navigating the Shift to College [Coach House Loft]
Transitioning from your Gap Year to college is a significant milestone. While marked by independence, academics, and personal growth, it also can come with some initial challenges. This conversational workshop will provide space for questions and helpful tips to navigating the shift to college life with confidence and ease.
12:30pm: Lunch [Repton Hall]
1:30pm: Reverse Culture Shock [Fairhaven]
Returning home can be exciting but may not be an easy transition for everyone. Prepare for your post-EF life with tips and tricks to reacclimate to whatever and wherever comes next. You'll also learn how you can stay involved with EF Gap Year as part of our alumni network.
2:15pm: Break
2:30pm: Attitude of Gratitude: Lollipop Moments [Fairhaven]
There are countless people you have encountered throughout your EF Gap journey. From your Advisor to your Tour Directors, your peers to the strangers you befriended at a Parisian café, all had the potential to have a transformative impact on your life. This activity will give you the chance to tell them.
3:30pm: Free Time
6:00pm: Prosecco Reception [Terrace]
Toast to your fellow travelers and the journey you have gone on together! Come dressed to impress, but no need to stress! We recommend slacks, skirts, blazers, or whatever makes you feel special for this festive evening.
7:00pm: Banquet [Repton Hall]
Get ready to SHINE as your week of learning and reflection culminates with a memorable banquet to celebrate the amazing year you’ve shared together. Most notably, we’ll hear from your student speakers, to remember all the good times you’ve shared.
9:00pm: Glow Party in the Monks’ Barn
Following the Banquet, join us as we dim the lights for one last epic night! Come celebrate with your friends at our glow-themed barn party. All are encouraged to wear neon or glow-inspired outfits as we dance the night away!
Overnight at Ashridge House
Morning: Departures
Several buses are scheduled to transport you to the airport. Your Tour Director will let you know what time your bus is scheduled to depart Ashridge. Make sure to be on time for the bus!
Early departures will have breakfast boxes to pick up on your way out, while later departures will have a regular breakfast buffet.
Everyone is expected to depart Ashridge by 10:00am.
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All About Ashridge
Ashridge House is a beautiful estate based in Hertfordshire, England – in the rolling countryside about an hour outside London. Ashridge House is owned by the Hult family, who founded EF as well as our sister organization, the Hult International Business School. Ashridge is home to Hult’s Executive Education program, through which CEOs and executives from organizations like Google, the International Red Cross, Heineken, and Swarovski have come to Ashridge to work with experts to hone their business strategy and reflect on their goals in this special space. The estate has an amazing history, and it was even used as inspiration for sets in Harry Potter – it definitely has Harry Potter/Bridgerton/Downton Abbey vibes galore!
You will be staying at the residence at Ashridge and enjoying the last few days of your Gap Year in this unique and beautiful spot. This might be the closest you’ll get to saying you’ve spent the night at Hogwarts. In addition, Ashridge provides delicious buffet-style meals with a variety of choices. It’s hard to be hungry at the castle!
Check out a map of the Ashridge Estate here!
Staff
Meet the EF Gap Year staff that will be joining you at Leadership Academy!