“I am the embodiment of wisdom, a guiding light in a world of chaos.” “Knowledge is power, and I am the goddess of knowledge.” “Love is a powerful force, but it is not always the answer.” “Only through struggle and hard work can we truly appreciate the rewards of victory.”
Athena
2024 Athena Scholars - Magdalene College, Cambridge
4 August - 17 August 2024
At The Cambridge Exchange, we believe that an elite intensive residential experience (in addition to a student's regular year school work) is the key to unlocking your true potential. We designed this leadership programme for future female leaders in two sub-cohorts: age 16-18 years old, and age 19-24 years old.
Through classes, seminars and individual tutorials held at Magdalene College in the magical university city of Cambridge, England, you will learn from university instructors, tutors, and mentors from Cambridge University and Oxford University. The curriculum is designed to enhance each Athena Scholar's ability to research, write, debate, and present her ideas effectively and persuasively.
At The Cambridge Exchange, we believe that everyone has the potential to learn and grow, regardless of her background or experience. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive and achieve their goals.
The Athena Scholars - Future Female Leaders
Who are the Athena Scholars?
The Athena Scholars programme is designed by Cambridge University and Oxford University tutors as an advanced leadership course for a small elite cohort of future female leaders from around the world. Scholars will live, learn, and dine together in Magdalene College, Cambridge for two weeks.
Who May Apply?
The Cambridge Exchange invites applications from females aged 16 to 24 for a place on an elite two-week course at Magdalene College, Cambridge that takes place from 4 August to 17 August 2024.
"We admit Athenians from all over the world and seek to build a close-knit cohort of strong individuals who support one another whilst making an individual commitment to excellence and community-building."
- Professor Louise Formby
Director, Athena Scholars
What Will I Learn?
TRACK 1: POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP:
1) Core Themes: Political Systems, International Relations, Security Studies, Diplomatic Studies, and Economics & Business Leadership;
2) Issue Areas: Global Health Systems, Climate Change, Conflict & Peace Studies.
TRACK 2: CLASSICS, ENGLISH LITERATURE & CREATIVE WRITING: This course is taught at the university-level and is centred on how the 'Greats' (eg Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides) have shaped our understanding of the world we live in today.
Discover Your 'Inner Athena' with The Cambridge Exchange
OUR PEDAGOGICAL COURSE DESIGN
Global Female Leadership Programme - This programme is designed into two parts: Track 1 and Track 2.
Track 1 is carefully designed alongside Track 2, as a hybrid course, introducing 21st-century geopolitical scenarios, and international relations theory. This part of the programme is to help develop future female leaders and build their knowledge of 21st-century international relations theory, from Women, Peace & Security (WPS) to humanitarian aid, and how the works of the classics, (eg Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides) have shaped our understanding of the world we live in today. It provides the foundational understanding for women on the Track 2 leadership programme to participate in some of the classes to enhance their knowledge and skillsets of geopolitics. Through various theoretical lenses, the student will work with other cohort members in seminars focused on Design Thinking methods.
Track 2 is specifically designed to enhance, broaden and strengthen essential skills for success in reading and interpreting written works (Classics and English Literature), and thinking and writing creatively (Creative writing). This part of the programme will broaden and strengthen essential knowledge and help build skills for success in public settings, from confidence in public speaking to presentation skills and writing. Each student is assigned a private Cambridge Tutor who will help guide the student on creating a piece of written work (creative fiction, creative nonfiction, or a policy paper).
Application Process
Applicants will be asked to complete an application providing details of their school work and grades as well as a Statement of Interest and a short essay.
Our Cambridge University and Oxford University team will evaluate the applications closely. For those applicants for whom an offer of admission will be forthcoming, we will also offer a scholarship scheme based on the marks that the essay receives:
1) Distinction
2) 2.1 High Merit
3) 2.1 Merit
4) 2.2 Merit
The Athena Scholars 2024 Programme in Cambridge - Details
Magdalene College History
Magdalene College - Individuals
Magdalene College - Individuals
The College of St Mary Magdalene, otherwise known as Magdalene College, with its beautiful buildings, magnificent gardens and fascinating history, is an amazing place to study. All Athena Scholars become College Members.
Magdalene stands on a site next to the River Cam that has been inhabited as far back as prehistoric times. The first building on the site was a hostel, sanctioned by King Henry VI in 1428. It was originally for Benedictine student-monks who used it whilst studying Canon Law at the University. The site was purposefully chosen by the Benedictine Order to be some distance away from the distractions of the town at that time.
Magdalene College - Individuals
Magdalene College - Individuals
Magdalene College - Individuals
The College has been home to some great figures including Honorary Fellows Thomas Hardy, C.S. Lewis and Rudyard Kipling. The late Nelson Mandela was also a notable Honorary Fellow.
It’s currently home to around 320 undergraduates and a small post-graduate community.
The College attracts students from all around the world, with an almost even ratio of men to women. Interestingly, this was the last of the Cambridge Colleges to admit women in 1988, making it a fitting location for the Athena Scholars!
Athena Scholars Room & Board
Magdalene College - Individuals
Athena Scholars Room & Board
The price of the course includes room and board exactly as if she was an undergraduate student (breakfast and dinner in the College Cripps Court, with two 'Formal Halls' in the College Dining Hall).
Magdalene’s Hall, which was built in the 16th century, still has no electric or gas services installed. Formal dinners are held by candlelight! We have one Formal Hall at Magdalene, and one at Queens' College.
Each Athena Scholar is assigned a standard single room with shared bathroom facilities with 3-4 other girls. Scholars may choose to upgrade to a single 'en-suite' room (with a private bathroom and shower).
Learning Environment
Out-of-Class Activities
Athena Scholars Room & Board
Athena Scholars will take courses in the Magdalene College lecture theatre, seminar rooms, and breakout rooms - all within the College's grounds.
We also take the cohort to London for a study day where we tour Parliament, embassies, and other sites relevant to the course.
Out-of-Class Activities
Out-of-Class Activities
Out-of-Class Activities
Our Cambridge Mentors (undergraduates and postgraduates will lead the cohort in fun activities outside of class, including punting on the Cam, movie night in the College Theatre, Ghost Tour of Cambridge, walks along the Backs, and other fun activities. There will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy Cambridge.
Pomp and Circumstance
Out-of-Class Activities
Out-of-Class Activities
Of course we love ceremonies and cerebral events - we are Cantabrigians after all! Athena Scholars will dine by candlelight, attend an evening concert in a spectacular setting, and enjoy Guest Tutorials from VIPs and each Scholar earns a certificate of completion upon finishing a course.
The Cambridge Exchange - Credentials
Our Parent Company
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Our Parent Company
The Oxford Exchange is a UK nonprofit educational provider registered with His Majesty's Government. Company Number: 13334657
AEGIS Members
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Our Parent Company
The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS) is dedictated to safeguard the welfare of international students studying at schools, colleges and universities in the United Kingdom.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Through The Oxford Exchange, we are active members of ROSPA. All of our team members are trained in safeguarding methods and safety is always our number one priority for each and every one of our studetnts.
The British Council
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
We work with the British Council for our summer courses by requiring all of our employees and contractors to pass the British Council's extensive safeguarding training requirements to conduct courses.