Harvard College Union Society

Young Global Leaders

Winter Camp

at Harvard University

Cohort 1

3 – 10 January 2027

Cohort 2

10 – 17 January 2027

Days of Immersion

30+

Countries Represented

1000+

Alumni

Selective Cohorts

Global Reach

A Truly Global Community

Our program brings together students from over 35 countries across 6 continents, creating a truly diverse learning environment at Harvard.

🇮🇳India

🇨🇦Canada

🇦🇪UAE

🇺🇸USA

🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

🇰🇪Kenya

🇨🇮Côte d'Ivoire

🇳🇬Nigeria

🇲🇽Mexico

🇲🇺Mauritius

🇺🇬Uganda

🇪🇸Spain

🇨🇩DR Congo

🇧🇫Burkina Faso

🇧🇷Brazil

🇧🇲Bermuda

🇹🇼Taiwan

🇷🇼Rwanda

🇲🇷Mauritania

🇰🇿Kazakhstan

🇯🇴Jordan

🇬🇪Georgia

🇫🇷France

🇪🇪Estonia

🇨🇺Cuba

🇦🇹Austria

🇦🇲Armenia

🇱🇰Sri Lanka

🇨🇳China

🇶🇦Qatar

🇵🇭Philippines

🇬🇭Ghana

🇮🇩Indonesia

🇳🇱Netherlands

🇯🇵Japan

WELCOME TO THE

HCUS Winter Camp

"Where academic excellence meets global leadership"

Harvard College Union Society Young Global Leaders Program is a week-long experience designed to help young leaders make a positive impact in their communities. The program takes place at Harvard University and brings together students from around the world to participate in workshops, discussions, and practical activities. Participants will learn from Harvard Student Mentors, gaining skills that are important for leadership today. The program also offers opportunities to explore the historical and cultural landmarks of Cambridge and Boston.

The program also offers students a unique opportunity to visit Harvard University, providing them with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the prestigious campus. Students will acquire the skills needed to develop their leadership abilities, enabling them to create a positive impact on both the school and community.

Students will enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through engaging academic sessions, collaborate with talented peers and mentors from HCUS, build leadership and teamwork abilities through hands-on activities, and strengthen their portfolios with a certificate of completion from HCUS.

The Ivy-Inspired Experience

Program Overview

🎓

Critical Thinking & Public Speaking

Develop and practice critical thinking, public speaking, networking and presentation skills through reflection, analysis, and feedback from distinguished mentors.

🌍

Real-World Leadership

Gain a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and the opportunity to apply them in real-world scenarios through case studies and team projects.

🤝

Global Perspectives

Engage with students and mentors from diverse backgrounds and cultures, participate in international case studies, and develop a global mindset essential for today's interconnected world.

Harvard College Union Society

Winter Camp Overview & Details

Dates

Cohort 1: 3 – 10 January 2027Cohort 2: 10 – 17 January 2027

Venue

Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts

Eligibility

Grades 8–12 School Years 9–13

Program Hours

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM On Program Days

Application Fees

Early ApplicationUSD 4,250

Regular ApplicationUSD 4,650

Application Deadlines

Early Application30 November 2026

Regular Application7 December 2026

Limited seats — apply early to secure your place.

Apply Now→

Early application deadline: 30 November 2026

All-Inclusive Experience

Everything Included in Your Program Fee

🎓

Academic Programme

Full curriculum & instruction

✈️

Airport Transfers

Boston Logan pickup & drop-off

🏨

7 Nights Accommodation

8 days & 7 nights stay included

🍽️

All Meals Included

Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

🗺️

Outings & Excursions

Camp-related trips & activities

💡

Interactive Workshops

Hands-on learning sessions

📜

Official Certificate

From Harvard College Union Society

📚

All Program Material

Resources & study materials

Itinerary

Tentative

Schedule

Arrival & Orientation

15:00 – 23:59

Hotel Check-in Available

📍 Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville

18:30 – 20:30

Dinner

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change and the exact schedule will be shared closer to the program.

Beyond the Classroom

Possible Outings

Bowling

Location: Kings Dining & Entertainment, Seaport

Kings offers multiple lanes for large groups with dedicated event spaces, food and beverage packages tailored for group events.

Harvard Campus Tour

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge

Walk through 400 years of history on Harvard's iconic grounds. Visit Harvard Yard, the libraries, and learn about storied traditions.

MIT Tour

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

Discover cutting-edge innovation at MIT. Explore the campus, visit notable landmarks, and learn about groundbreaking research.

…and many more!

*Please note that these are the tentative field trips planned. These may be subject to change based on availability and weather conditions.

Accommodation

Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville

The upscale Cambria® Hotel Boston Somerville is situated between Somerville's Union and Porter Squares, just over half a mile from Harvard University and less than 2 miles from Tufts University and MIT.

It is across the street from Somernova, home to Boston Bouldering Project, Aeronaut Brewing, Artisan's Asylum, and Greentown Labs, North America's largest climate technology incubator.

Nearby attractions include Assembly Row, Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution, and Encore Casino.

0.5 miles from Harvard

Free high-speed WiFi

Complimentary breakfast

Airport transfers included

515 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

About

Harvard College Union Society

The Harvard College Union Society is a community of Harvard students dedicated to free inquiry and civil discourse. We work to bring open arguments on the most important debates of the American milieu back to Harvard University.

Through our group, students and faculty debate political-philosophical topics with boldness in the face of controversy, building trust that discourse is still possible in the 21st-century academy.

We defend the free communication and critique of acceptable, controversial, and half-formed views alike, and encourage mutual criticism. We welcome all views expressed in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect.

Important Information

Terms & Conditions

💰

Fees & Coverage

The fee covers academic fees during the Winter Camp at Harvard University, stay and meals for 7 nights and 8 days and airport pick-up and drop-off. It does not include air tickets and Visa fees for the program.

The fee does not cover airfare, visa charges, or individual expenses like sightseeing, travel on account of personal reasons, and any other expenses not directly related to the Winter Camp.

Please review all categories carefully before confirming your enrollment.

Distinguished Faculty

Former Program Lecturers

Danielle Allen

Harvard University Professor

Danielle Allen is the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and Director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard Kennedy School. A leading scholar of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy, she is an award-winning author, democracy advocate, and civic education leader. She is the 2020 recipient of the Library of Congress' Kluge Prize and has played a major role in advancing democratic practice and public dialogue in the United States.

James G. Anderson

Harvard University Professor

James G. Anderson is the Philip S. Weld Professor at Harvard University, with appointments in Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Engineering. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, he is a highly decorated scientist recognized for major contributions to environmental science, climate research, and chemical sciences, and has advised U.S. Senate and House committees on energy and climate policy.

Distinguished

Harvard Student Mentors

Theresa (Tess) Straw

President, Harvard College Union Society

Tess is a sophomore pursuing a joint concentration in Statistics and the History of Science. She serves as President of the Harvard College Union Society. Beyond academics, Tess competes on Harvard's sailing team and performs as an electric bassist in jazz ensembles and student productions.

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Outcomes

Awards & Recognition

Certificate from Harvard College Union Society

Receive an official certificate recognizing your participation and accomplishments during the program.

Build a Global Network

Connect with like-minded scholars from over 30 countries around the world and forge lifelong bonds.

Portfolio Enhancement

Strengthen your college applications with a distinguished leadership experience at Harvard University.

Scholar Voices

Student Testimonials

From past cohorts at Harvard University

"The Winter Camp was an incredible opportunity to meet and collaborate with students from all around the world. I also gained valuable knowledge that will support me throughout high school and university. My favorite activity was attending the Harvard vs. Brown hockey game — it was such a fun way to connect with the Harvard community through sports!"

Arthur Ulak

Grade 8, Royal St George's College, Canada