Day 1 of the Knowledge@Wharton High School summer program

Students tour the University of Pennsylvania campus at the start of Session A of the 2016 summer program of the Knowledge@Wharton High School Global Young Leaders Academy

May 29, 2016, 9 a.m. A Sunday and a sunny day. Soft landing. Rapid baggage claim. Great weather outside JFK Airport.

When we left Abu Dhabi airport, we were all excited to see the dual-deck Airbus 380, with its spacious seats and delicious food.  But after the 14-hour flight to New York, everyone was tired.

Pavan Sir and Skendha Ma’am welcomed students who had taken other flights to JFK. After a grand American breakfast at the Central Diner, our group of 15 set out for Philadelphia with Dunkin donuts in hand.

We appreciated the New York City skyscrapers, for they shielded us from the glare of the sun. Cool breeze through the open window filled the bus with zeal and zest. Mr. Jetlag was nowhere to be seen!

After a 3-hour bus ride, it seemed as though Harnwell College House at UPenn had been taken over by the students attending the Knowledge@Wharton High School Global Youth Leadership Academy. We got the best welcome.  Cards, codes and keys handed out to all. Off to our rooms. Dump luggage. Rush for the briefing.

The KWHS organising committee kept the session short. Then, finger-licking pizzas in the 9th-floor common room. After that, we were free for the rest of the evening. We were able to step out of the house and go around exploring the campus. The rain would have left us drenched had our Packing List not instructed us to carry umbrellas.

The campus was declared beautiful, stunning and huge!

Curfew time: 10.30 p.m. Students get into their tall and comfortable beds. Alarms set for 6 a.m. the following day. Insomniacs stay awake till 1 a.m. Mr. Jetlag reappears…

By Shivang Singh (Scottish High International School, Gurgaon)

Click here to find out more about the Knowledge@Wharton High School Global Young Leaders Academy!