There truly is something about finally getting to travel somewhere you’ve only ever dreamed of being allowed to go. This was how I felt when I finally stepped off of the bus and onto the grounds of Girton College at the University of Cambridge.
I spent one week there, taking two different classes in prose and poetry, enjoying Cambridge traditions like the formal dinner, and experiencing the city of Cambridge through its vibrant city center and its lively summer Shakespeare festival. And while it’s easy to call it a dream come true, for me it was an opportunity that made me realize the dream was attainable.
I made friends from different chapters of Sigma Tau Delta across the USA, and I silently noticed how much the language of dreams was used to talk about our time at Cambridge. The trip we all were on was a partial fulfillment of that dream, and it made many realize, including me, that Cambridge was actually within our reach.
I have often dreamed of studying Shakespeare in London, drama in France, or opera in Italy. But when I came to choosing a graduate school, I took an unknown leap and chose a program in Canada. I had never lived outside the country before, much less traveled to Montreal, the city I’d be living and studying in. But my time across the pond made me realize I was capable of such a step in my academic career. Cambridge is a dream for many academically minded, but my short time there made me realize that I didn’t have to let it stay a dream. I now hope to apply to Cambridge as a graduate scholar further down the line of my literature studies.
What stops you from pursuing a dream? This trip made me realize I was a large part of considering something a dream versus a reality. Apply for the program, take the trip, submit to the journal. You are worthy of such an opportunity, as I realized I was worthy of Cambridge. The most important thing you can do is try!
Nora Bacon
Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program Participant, 2026
Alpha Beta Phi Chapter
Ashland University, Ashland, OH
Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program
Spend a week immersed in the world of English literature at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program offers students an unforgettable chance to live, study, and explore at historic Girton College, at the University of Cambridge.
This is a rare opportunity to walk the same paths as generations of scholars, poets, and thinkers who shaped the literary tradition. You’ll take part in two courses designed especially for Sigma Tau Delta and taught by distinguished Cambridge faculty, experience the vibrant social and cultural life of the city, and live the true Cambridge college experience. From punting on the River Cam to attending a centuries-old Formal Hall, every moment of this week combines academic excellence with authentic Cambridge traditions.
Through close reading, critical discussion, and essay writing, you’ll sharpen your analytical skills and deepen your understanding of English literature in ways that will benefit you long after the program ends. With personalized instruction in small seminars, expert faculty feedback, and access to Cambridge’s unparalleled academic environment, this program will equip you with the tools to think more deeply, write more persuasively, and approach literature with fresh insights.
Application Process
Applications are open until November 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CT).
Undergraduate Sigma Tau Delta members are asked to complete a short application form to participate in the Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program 2027.
The application process includes the following questions, which Sigma Tau Delta members must respond to:
- Why are you interested in participating in the Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Summer Program? (max. 200 words)
- How do you expect this experience will enhance your academic and professional growth? (max. 200 words)
- What unique perspectives or experiences have you gained as a member of Sigma Tau Delta that will positively impact you on the Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Summer Program? (max. 200 words)
More from Footnotes: October 12, 2026
Sigma Tau Delta Journal Award Winners
Internship Stipends
Classroom Library Grants
English Honor Societies Webinars
Fall Awards Cycle
2027 Convention Update
