World Scholar's Cup Tournament of Champions — New Haven

Overview

About this trip

This programme takes Junior and Senior Division scholars from Sunmarke School to the World Scholar's Cup Tournament of Champions, hosted at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Across the week both divisions take part in the full schedule of events organised by World Scholar's Cup, including the Scholars Social, the cultural fair and the Scholars Ball, giving students sustained practice in debate, collaborative writing, team problem-solving and public speaking alongside peers from around the world.

The group is based at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, a four-star property in downtown New Haven, steps from Yale University and New Haven Green and convenient for the tournament venues. The hotel has 306 rooms and suites with work desks and flat-screen televisions, a restaurant with views across the city and the Yale campus, a coffee shop, Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The itinerary is staggered, so that when one division is competing the other has free time or the option of the organised day trip to Boston. Travel is with Emirates from Dubai to New York JFK on Wednesday 11 November 2026, with a coach transfer of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to New Haven, and a final night and sightseeing day in New York before the overnight return flight on 19 November, arriving in Dubai on 20 November.

Day by day

The itinerary

Trip highlights

Tournament of Champions
Yale Competition Rounds
Global Cultural Fair
Scholars Ball
Scholars Social Evenings
Boston Day Trip
New York Farewell
Junior and Senior Divisions

Day 1 of 9New Haven
Dubai to New Haven
A long haul westward to Connecticut, landing at JFK before the coach run north and tournament check-in for both divisions.
- Flight EK201 Dubai to New York JFKLong-haul departure at 08:30, arriving 13:55
- Tournament check-inJunior and Senior Divisions register for the eventVenue to be advised
Meals included: Dinner
- Allow 3.5 to 4 hours for the coach transfer from JFK to New Haven due to traffic.
- Event venue to be advised.
Depart Dubai on EK201 at 08:30, arriving New York JFK at 13:55. After airport formalities and luggage collection, meet the coach driver for the transfer to New Haven, allowing 3.5 to 4 hours for traffic. Both Junior and Senior Divisions check in for the event (venue to be advised), followed by dinner locally and the first overnight stay.
Day 2 of 9New Haven
Junior Division Competition Day
Junior scholars enter the tournament proper, with a full day of Scholar's Cup events closing in a Scholars Social, while Seniors have New Haven to themselves.
- World Scholar's Cup events (Junior Division)Full day of tournament competition rounds
- Scholars Social with dinnerEvening social for Junior Division from 17:45
- Free time or optional tours for SeniorsExplore the local area or arranged toursTours can be arranged on request
Learning focus: Debating · Critical Thinking · Public Speaking · Teamwork
Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Lunch and dinner included for the Junior Division only; Senior Division meals are at their own expense.
Juniors compete; Seniors free
Breakfast at the hotel. The Junior Division takes part in the events organised by World Scholar's Cup, with lunch at the Omni Hotel and a Scholars Social with dinner from 17:45. The Senior Division is free; tours can be arranged by PCT or students may explore the local area. Lunch and dinner for the Seniors are at their own expense.
Day 3 of 9New Haven
Competition Day and Boston Option
Senior scholars plunge into Tournament of Champions events and an evening Scholars Social, while juniors have the option of a full day in Boston.
- World Scholar's Cup eventsSenior Division competes in tournament rounds
- Scholars SocialEvening social with dinner from 17:45
- Day trip to BostonOptional organised excursion for the Junior DivisionOptional for Junior Division
Learning focus: Debate · Critical Thinking · Public Speaking
Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Junior Division lunch and dinner in Boston are at their own expense.
- Boston day trip departs 07:30 and returns 19:30.
Seniors compete; Juniors to Boston
Breakfast at the hotel. The Senior Division takes part in the events organised by World Scholar's Cup, with lunch at the Omni Hotel and a Scholars Social with dinner from 17:45. The Junior Division has the option of the organised day trip to Boston, departing at 07:30 and returning at 19:30, with lunch and dinner at their own expense.
Day 4 of 9New Haven
Junior Rounds, Senior Boston Day
The Junior Division takes on a full day of World Scholar's Cup competition while Seniors have the option of an organised excursion to Boston.
- World Scholar's Cup eventsFull day of Junior Division competition rounds
- Organised day trip to BostonOptional full-day excursion for Senior Division scholarsOptional for Senior Division
Learning focus: Debate · Critical Thinking · Public Speaking
Meals included: Breakfast
- Junior Division competes 09:00–17:30; lunch is expected to be included, with dinner likely at own expense.
- Senior Division Boston trip departs 07:30 and returns 19:30, with lunch and dinner at own expense.
Juniors compete; Seniors to Boston
Breakfast at the hotel. The Junior Division competes in World Scholar's Cup events from 09:00 until 17:30; lunch is expected to be included, with dinner likely at own expense. The Senior Division has the option of the organised day trip to Boston, departing at 07:30 and returning at 19:30, with lunch and dinner at own expense.
Day 5 of 9New Haven
Both Divisions Compete
Junior and Senior Division scholars take on the full slate of Tournament of Champions events, competing side by side until early evening.
- World Scholar's Cup eventsJunior and Senior Divisions compete in organised tournament events
Learning focus: Debate · Critical Thinking · Teamwork
Meals included: Breakfast
- Lunch is expected to be included; dinner is likely to be at own expense
- Programme concludes at 17:30
Both divisions compete
Breakfast at the hotel, then both the Junior and Senior Divisions participate in the events arranged by World Scholar's Cup. Lunch is expected to be included; the day ends at 17:30 and dinner is likely to be at own expense.
Day 6 of 9New Haven
Cultural Fair and Scholars Ball
Scholars from around the world share traditions at the cultural fair, before the Junior Division dances into the night at the Scholars Ball.
- Cultural FairScholars share national traditions across both divisions
- World Scholar's Cup eventsSenior Division competition continuing into the evening
- Scholars BallEvening celebration for the Junior Division
Learning focus: Cultural Awareness · Public Speaking · Global Citizenship
Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch
- Senior Division dinner arrangements are not confirmed.
- Dinner is likely, but not confirmed, to be served at the Scholars Ball.
Cultural fair and Scholars Ball
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by the cultural fair from 09:45 for both divisions. The Senior Division has lunch and continues with World Scholar's Cup events, finishing at 19:45; dinner arrangements are not confirmed. After the cultural fair the Junior Division has free time until the Scholars Ball from 21:00 to 23:00, where dinner is likely to be served.
Day 7 of 9New Haven
Junior Finals, Scholars Ball
The Junior Division closes out its competition programme while Senior scholars enjoy a free day before the evening Scholars Ball.
- Junior Division final competition dayClosing round of World Scholar's Cup events, ending 18:30
- Scholars BallSenior Division evening celebration, 21:00 to 23:00
Learning focus: Debate · Critical Thinking · Teamwork
Meals included: Breakfast
Juniors' final day; Seniors' Scholars Ball
Breakfast at the hotel. The Junior Division takes part in the events arranged by World Scholar's Cup on their final competition day, ending at 18:30. The Senior Division is free all day until the Scholars Ball from 21:00 to 23:00.
Day 8 of 9New York
Finals Then New York
Senior scholars contest their concluding World Scholar's Cup rounds at Yale before an evening coach transfer south to New York City.
- World Scholar's Cup eventsSenior Division competes until early evening
- Junior Division free dayUnstructured day for junior scholars
- Coach transfer to New YorkEvening road journey arriving around 22:00
Learning focus: Debate · Critical Thinking · Public Speaking
Meals included: Breakfast · Dinner
- Arrival in New York is approximate, at around 22:00.
Seniors' final day and transfer to New York
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. The Junior Division has a free day while the Senior Division competes in World Scholar's Cup events until 18:30. The coach then transfers the group to New York, arriving at approximately 22:00 for dinner, hotel check-in and the overnight stay.
Day 9 of 9New York
New York Farewell
A final day exploring New York before the late-evening transatlantic flight home, closing nine days of debate and discovery in the United States.
- Sightseeing and activities in New YorkA day exploring the city before departure
- Flight EK202 to DubaiOvernight departure from JFK at 23:00
Meals included: Breakfast
New York sightseeing and return flight
Breakfast at the hotel and check out, followed by a day of sightseeing and activities in New York. Transfer to New York JFK Airport in time for flight EK202 at 23:00, arriving in Dubai at 20:25 on Friday 20 November.

Speak to our team

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What's included

Everything in the price

✓Return Emirates flights, Dubai to New York JFK
✓Coach transfers between New York JFK, New Haven and New York
✓Seven nights' hotel accommodation in New Haven (Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale suggested)
✓One night's hotel accommodation in New York
✓Daily breakfast at the hotel
✓Lunches at the Omni Hotel and Scholars Social dinners on competition days as scheduled by World Scholar's Cup
✓Optional organised day trip to Boston for each division
✓Sightseeing and activities in New York on the final day

Booking terms & conditions

Upon confirmation of the booking, a 25% deposit is non-refundable.
Passport copies of all passengers are required within 10 days of confirming the booking.
Cancellation 90–61 days before departure: 50% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 60–31 days before departure: 75% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 30–1 day before departure: no refund is given.
Visa refusal or no appointment available: 25% non-refundable from the date of confirmation; 90–61 days 50%, 60–31 days 75%, 30–1 day 100% non-refundable.
If passenger numbers are reduced, rates are subject to revision.

Cultural awareness

Customs & norms in USA

A little cultural fluency goes a long way — these are the habits your hosts will notice and appreciate.

Tipping is expected: 18–20% in restaurants and a few dollars for services.
Small talk with strangers is normal and friendly, not intrusive.
Sales tax is added at the till, so shelf prices are not the final price.

World Scholar's Cup Tournament of Champions — New Haven

About this trip

The itinerary

Juniors compete; Seniors free

Seniors compete; Juniors to Boston

Juniors compete; Seniors to Boston

Both divisions compete

Cultural fair and Scholars Ball

Juniors' final day; Seniors' Scholars Ball

Seniors' final day and transfer to New York

New York sightseeing and return flight

Speak to our team

Everything in the price

Customs & norms in USA