London First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience in London
Each fall, a cohort of students from Skidmore's incoming first year class spend their first semester of college in London, one of the world's great cities. In addition to allowing students to enjoy the historical and cultural riches of England's capital, the First-Year Experience in London enables them to begin working toward their Skidmore degrees; helps prepare them for Skidmore's academic challenges and opportunities; and builds strong connections and friendships among the participants.
Students study under the guidance of two Skidmore Faculty Coordinators who will oversee the academic program, serve as advisors and mentors for the students, and organize a variety of group cultural excursions and activities. The Faculty Coordinators will each teach a required Scribner Seminar. These courses have been specifically designed for the program and take full advantage of London's resources.
Fall 2026 Scribner Seminars
- The Noses of Soho and the Ears of Covent Garden: Utopia and Dystopia in London, Professor Beau Breslin
- Wealth and Welfare: Addressing Inequality in London through Finance and Sustainability, Professor Ting Li
In addition to the Scribner Seminar, students will enroll in 3 additional courses, each taught by a CEA CAPA faculty member. All courses are worth 4 credits and students will earn a total of 16 credits in the fall semester in London. All courses are considered Skidmore courses; grades will appear on the Skidmore transcript and will count toward the Skidmore GPA. A number of courses may also count toward corecurriculum requirements. After the fall semester in London, students will join their classmates in Saratoga Springs for the spring semester.
Calendar
| Fall 2026 |
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| August 27, 2026: Arrive in London for pre-departure orientation. Flights should arrive at London Heathrow Airport prior to 12 pm. |
| August 27-31: Orientation in London |
| September 1: Classes begin |
| October 12-16: Mid-term exam week (classes will still be held this week at regular meeting times) |
| October 17-25: Mid-term break (no classes held) |
| October 26: Classes resume |
| November TBD: Registration begins for spring 2027 Skidmore classes |
| November 12: Course withdrawal deadline |
| November 12: Last day to request a personal leave of absence |
| December 3: Last day of classes |
| December 7-11: Final exam period |
| December 12: Program end date. Students must check out of London housing. Group flight return to New York City. |
| January 23, 2027: Students arrive at Skidmore for spring 2027 |
| January 23-25: Orientation for London FYE students returning to Skidmore for spring 2027 |
| January 26: Classes begin |
Winter break
London FYE students must move out of their London housing on December 12, 2026 and are responsible for making their own arrangements (at their own expense) for housing and meals over winter break. There is no housing available on campus over winter break. London FYE students cannot return to campus until the start of the spring semester on January 23, 2027.
January Orientation
Students should arrive in Saratoga Springs, NY, on January 23, 2027, for the start of the spring semester. Before classes begin, Skidmore will hold a special orientation for returning London students to help them transition back to campus life. Dedicated activities and programming will continue throughout the spring semester to support students’ transition to campus and help them reconnect with the Skidmore community. These activities will be led by the London Peer Mentors, the Office of Off-Campus Study and Exchanges (OCSE), the First-Year Experience (FYE), and the London Faculty Coordinators.
Questions?
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Questions regarding the London FYE program should be directed to Kendra Nelson, London FYE Program Manager in Skidmore's Off-Campus Study & Exchanges, at knelson1@skidmore.edu or +1-518-580-5355
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Questions regarding Skidmore on campus housing for the spring semester following London should be directed to the staff of the Office of Residential Life at reslife@skidmore.edu.