Monday marked the start of the academic programme at prestigious Yale – with everyone having arrived and settled in brilliantly on Sunday. The scenery seemed to inspire the participants, as everybody was raring to get going!

Introductory talks and lessons were on the agenda for the day, as our teachers looked to ease the participants into some of the more challenging topics offered on ORA’s diverse range of programmes. Global Leadership will certainly test the budding politicians attending, encouraging them to learn about the economy and politics, as well as society in more general terms. The Ivy League Experience will allow both our 13-15 and 16-18 participants to better understand what life is like at an elite university.

In that same spirit, the participants were taken on a campus tour led by two first year students at Yale, which offered them a fantastic insight. A particular highlight was the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, which holds works by the likes of Charles Dickens and Benjamin Franklin!

Into the evening, the participants were challenged by a quiz which included some questions about Yale – just to check that they had been paying attention during the tour! Before bed there was a chance to play some games in the Buttery, with Table Tennis, Pool or Board Games proving the most popular.

It was certainly a productive first day, with participants taking in their lessons and workshops diligently, and all joining in the lively fun towards the end. Hopefully the hard work and high energy continue, with another exciting day ahead of them on Tuesday!