The Benefits of LSE Summer School

When I found out I would be studying at LSE Summer School, I knew I’d be studying at a highly influential institution. I had heard so much about it! Back in Australia, my teaching had often been influenced by LSE-led research – some of my professors had even studied there themselves!

What I didn’t know is how memorable my experience at LSE would be, beyond just the academic calibre of the institution – it has left its mark on me as such a special place. Here are three reasons why studying at LSE Summer School was so beneficial to me.

World-Class Centre for the Social Sciences:

To me, what truly sets LSE apart is its prominence in the social sciences. It attracts some of the best minds in their field. The best part? As a student, I experienced this first-hand.

My Summer School course was IR245: International Journalism and Society: The Role of the Media in the Modern World. Although I study related subjects in Australia, this was my first ever journalism course. Let me tell you: what an introduction to journalism this was! We were taught by a former journalist himself, and received daily lectures from guest speakers. They included editors from The Guardian and The Economist, freelance journalists and opinion-poll experts to name a few. I had a front-row seat to leading experts in the study of journalism, and cannot recall being so engaged in a course at university.

The experience that topped-off my time at LSE was attending the 2024 UK Election Night, hosted by the university. In an auditorium full of journalists, policy experts and political commentators, LSE gave me the chance to attend a conference that followed the UK elections as the results were called, into the early hours of the morning. I’ll be honest, I felt completely out of place. I was surrounded by the most prominent figures in political research and news media, but it made the event unforgettable! LSE’s influence as an academic institution was on full display during my time there. As a Summer School student, I never expected to benefit from it as much as I did.

London

This almost goes without saying: LSE’s location in the heart of London gives it a great advantage.

As much as I value the academic side of things, a worry before my course was finding ways to rest and relax outside of class. There’s no denying that Summer School has a packed schedule! With daily classes, the courses’ intensive nature can leave you wanting some time away from studying. I found London rather exceptional for finding this balance.

The long summer days meant the city’s gorgeous parks were a fantastic spot to hangout with friends in the evenings. The city’s cultural scene was also a highlight. From concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, to LSE-organised trips to Oxford and the renowned Phantom of the Opera musical, to walking down Brick Lane – I had everything to balance study and leisure (I actually ran out of time to see all that I wanted to during my time at LSE!). I also recommend the British Museum, near to campus, or one of the many quieter coffee shops for a moment of peace. There is something for everyone in London, no matter your interests.

The full LSE experience

Before attending LSE Summer School, I had a question: would I get a sense of what LSE is like as a full-time student?

The answer is yes!

Summer School takes place outside of LSE’s regular term time. However, you get to experience everything a full-time student would, if not more. I got to stay at one of the university’s student halls, and had complete access to LSE’s (absolutely huge) library, sport facilities and campus buildings. Getting to experience what studying at LSE is like for students completing their degrees was important to me.

LSE is also known for its incredibly diverse community of students and staff. Summer School is no different – and this makes for a particularly eye-opening experience. In my course about journalism and the media, this was simply brilliant. My class group – with students from Singapore, Germany, the US, Ukraine, China, India and more – had fascinating discussions about the issues facing each other’s countries, and the role of the media in these. I found it so easy to meet people from around the world outside the classroom, through the social and Spark programmes organised by LSE’s Summer School team.

I arrived at LSE expecting to learn a lot about the UK. This was the case, but I also gained perspective into so much more from the cultural diversity of my classmates. The diversity of LSE is an aspect I had not considered before my course. Yet, without a doubt, it is a feature you can expect to gain a wealth of insight and growth from.

LSE Summer School will benefit you in many ways, whether academically, professionally or socially (most likely all of the above!). It’s also a fantastic opportunity to develop and meet people from around the world. There’s so much more I could say about my experience – I’m just incredibly glad to have attended and taken so much away from it!

 

This blog was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.