Highlights from Our East Coast Universities Tour

During October 2025, 27 students took part in our inaugural East Coast Universities tour, visiting a range of institutions and also having the opportunity to meet fellow Salopians who are based on that side of the Atlantic.

You can watch a video, featuring highlights of the tour here.

Three of the students shared some of their reflections, with Violet (L6, M) detailing her personal highlights.

Our first stop on the US universities tour was Boston, where we toured Harvard, MIT, Boston University and Tufts (some people chose to tour Northeastern and Boston College instead of MIT and Boston University).

It was amazing to see prestigious universities like Harvard, as well as experience a mix of campus, central and suburban locations. We also got the chance to catch up with Old Salopians Luke, Nat and Tara as they toured us around- it was lovely to see them and hear about their personal experiences!

Some of the rowers got the opportunity to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta from the Boston University Boathouse with Tara. Seeing such a famous event, meeting the Boston University coaches and getting a flavour for US rowing was incredible and very useful for me!

Regarding sports, OS Alice Colclough also showed us around the Rutgers sports facilities, which were unbelievable. From a 55,000 seat American Football stadium to thermal pools and academic athlete centres, Rutgers had it all and demonstrated the extensive breadth of US college sport. 

Andrew (L6, R) was particularly inspired by what he saw in the Big Apple:

After three fruitful days in Boston, having visited world-class universities like Harvard and MIT, we've arrived at arguably the most iconic city in the United States—New York City. The dense layout of the skyscrapers kept our mind ecstatic. In the morning, we visited New York University under the guidance of an Old Salopian who currently studies there. NYU is fully integrated into the vibrant city. Their buildings have the university's signature purple flag attached on them, marking them as part of the university. Fortunately, we got to see the Stern School of Business which is certainly a top choice for the business and economics students among us.

In the afternoon, we made our visit to Columbia University. In stark contrast with NYU, Columbia has a big and beautiful campus with historic architecture all around campus. Our tour guide was a Senior in Columbia College and she did a wonderful job at introducing the university to us. I became a big fan of Columbia after the visit as it has the convenience of the city, but also a large campus which enables us to take a break from the hustle of NYC. Both universities were great and I'm sure all of us have learnt a great deal about the different aspects of the universities. 

Sanvi (L6, M) shared her views on the Alumni gatherings, which formed an integral part of the trip:

Our recent alumni gatherings in Boston and New York were nothing short of inspiring! Both events brought together a dynamic mix of graduates, students, and friends of the school, creating the perfect atmosphere for connection, learning, and lively conversation.

What made these gatherings truly special and remarkable was the opportunity to speak directly with alumni who have lived, studied, and built their careers in the United States. Hearing their stories firsthand — from navigating university life to finding their footing in new cities — gave us valuable insights into life in the States as an international student. Their advice was both practical and encouraging, and it was heartening to see how willing everybody was to share their experiences and offer information to us.

My most memorable moment at the alumni gathering in Boston was a conversation with an Old Moserite who shared with us a tradition of jumping over the mailbox outside house to prove you were a part of Moser’s Hall.

Beyond the insightful and interesting conversations, there was an undeniable sense of community and excitement showing clearly that the bond among the Salopian network remains strong.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to a memorable few days away – Floreat Salopia!

Mr Chris Wain, Head of Futures