Why Spend A Summer Studying In The United States

It is becoming increasingly important for young people to experience different cultures and interact with other young people from around the world. Summer programs in the United States offer young people the opportunity to gain such an experience and understanding.

Thousands of young people from around the world attend a variety of summer programs throughout the United States. There is everything from English as a Second Language to culture studies; academic preparation to outdoor recreation; music and dance to art and design; and computers to television and radio. Programs may be for young children or teenagers, single sex or coed.

When considering a summer program, you will need to think about where in the United States you want to spend your summer. Do you want to be near the ocean, mountains, deserts, lakes, grassy plains, or cities? Do you want to see regions in the West Coast, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest or South?

Are you interested in ESL programs, enrichment opportunities, recreational activities, or preparation for returning to school in the fall?

ESL Programs

An excellent way to improve your English skills is by spending a few weeks or months attending a summer program in the United States. There are several schools and summer language programs that offer intensive ESL for beginning students. If your English is more advanced, you may wish to take other academic classes or activity classes and supplement your studies with English as a Second Language.

Some programs, such as the Ojai Valley School, located in Southern California near Santa Barbara, offers ESL for students from beginning to advanced levels, ages 8-18. Students may participate in two, four, six or ten-week programs. They measure their English progress through TOEFL testing and TOEFL preparation classes. Students may take a variety of other academic and enrichment courses. Afternoons are spent in sports and recreational activities. International students interact with American peer tutors and other American students, travel to local attractions, theme parks such as Disneyland, and enjoy outdoor camping and weekend outings.

For students seeking a wide range of learning experiences, Southwestern Academy operates co-educational ESL and academic programs for grades 6-12 in San Marino, California, near Los Angeles and Pasadena. Classes include all areas of English language instruction, art, music, computers, mathematics and sports.

Students may attend the summer American Culture program for four weeks or may stay for a half or full semester for high school credit.

In the mountains of Vermont, St. Johnsbury Academy’s ESL summer program offers four levels of instruction as well as TOEFL and SAT preparation. Students may also benefit from early college counseling (advice about admission to university). A limited number of spaces are available to students who wish to begin their studies in April.

At The Fessenden School, a junior boarding school near Boston, Massachusetts for  younger students, international students ages 10-15 can participate in a 5-week  summer ESL program. These students live in dorms on campus, improving their English skills with weekend trips around New England and also to New York City. They also learn advanced English vocabulary through the study of global ecology, computers, photography, and video production. Activities on campus, including barbeques, dances, International Day, and a 4th of July Independence Day celebration also allow them to practice their English.

Enrichment

You may also choose summer programs that provide personal enrichment. There are several specialty camps that offer enrichment from studying computers, science and engineering, diplomacy and international studies, cooking and sports.

The intensive five-week Gateway to Business Program for High School Juniors at Georgetown University is designed to help students explore possible business careers and decide if they would like to attend business school in the future. The program is for students entering their final year of secondary school (³rising² seniors). Upon completing the program they receive three credits toward an undergraduate degree. Areas covered include finance, marketing, accounting, management, communications, strategy, planning, organizational behavior, and business law. The course includes a field trip to a local Washington, D.C. business.

Also in the nation¹s capital, The George Washington University¹s Summer Scholars offers residential programs including a six-week for-credit university writing course, and undergraduate courses in fields such as economics, politics, arts (Language of Cinema), international affairs, the sciences, and other fields. The Applied Pre-Engineering Experience (APEX) program engages students in developing solutions to real-world problems such as wireless communications and disaster management, biomedical engineering, battling disease outbreaks and other current issues. Students live on campus just blocks from the White House and within walking distance of Washington, D.C.¹s historic sites.

Also available are ten-day Minicourses. Students in Law and Evidence analyze real case studies, conduct mock simulations and conduct a forensic investigation. Aspiring photojournalists explore the power of photography in examining social issues. In Election Politics, students participate in a simulated campaign and visit political organizations. Explore Engineering labs feature experiments in materials testing, electronic circuits, computer graphics image morphing, biotechnology and assembling a model steel bridge.

Preparation for University

Once a week during the George Washington University summer program for high school juniors (ages 16-17), students attend a Beyond Admissions workshop on the U.S. university admissions process. One session focuses on sources of information about U.S. universities, for example, another on critiquing admission essays.

Many classes may be offered for the purpose of preparing students to return to their home schools in the fall. Study Skills is a popular course provided by many programs.

Students who are fluent in English and are completing their senior, junior or sophomore year of high school (secondary school) may choose from among 200 courses, earn university credit, and experience university life in Harvard University¹s eight-week summer Secondary School Program. An expanded College Preparatory Program includes a large College Fair, visits to other prestigious New England universities, and study-skills courses and workshops. Harvard College students serve as dorm proctors (residence hall assistant) and academic advisors, and an expanded Writing Program offers a wide array of writing classes, readings by faculty and visiting authors, and tutors in the Harvard Writing Center.

Recreation

Many recreational programs take advantage of their beautiful locations. Whether you choose lake regions, ocean settings, alpine mountains, or desert floors, recreational programs across the United States offer a variety of activities. Canoeing, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, sailing, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and wilderness camping are available at most of the recreation camps.

Sports camps offer intensive weekly skill building tips. Some sports camps offer instruction from professional athletes. There are several programs offering instruction in basketball, soccer, tennis, wrestling, fencing, baseball, golf, hockey, and many other sports.

Blue Ridge School takes advantage of its Virginia location to offer a week-long Appalachian Adventure Camp named after the nearby mountain range. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, canoeing and caving with an overnight backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. The school also offers rock climbing camps and a caving/spelunking camp for younger boys.

Travel

A six-week Summer ESL Program at Solebury School in Pennsylvania includes trips to Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD. The students also enjoy outings to local ocean beaches, amusement parks, a Music Festival, and a professional baseball game.

Applying to Summer Programs

With such a variety of summer options, you should consult the admission office of each program that interests you. Ask for brochures and applications. Most summer catalogs are available by February or March. No matter what kind of summer program you choose, you will benefit from the opportunity to develop confidence, independence, leadership, self-esteem, and make lasting friendships. Attending a summer program in the United States provides you with an experience that may prepare you for life, and provide memories that will last a lifetime.

by John H. Williamson, Director of Admission at the Ojai Valley School in Ojai, California.

Featured Programs | Find a Program | Resource Guide | Home

Copyright © 1995-2006 Study in the USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use/Privacy.