Why Spend a Summer Studying in the United States

by John H. Williamson

It is becoming increasingly important for young people to experience different cultures and interact with other young people from around the world, so that they will be prepared for their future. Summer programs in the United States offer young people the opportunity to gain such an experience and understanding.

Why should you attend a Summer Program in the United States?

You want to develop your English conversation skills.
You want to broaden your travel experiences and learn more about American culture.
You want to meet other young people from other countries and the United States.
You want to prepare for school in the fall.
You want to take a specialized training program or personal development program.
You want to explore and have an outdoor recreational experience.

Something for Everybody

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?

You will also want to consider the kinds of program you may be interested in attending and what you may gain from the experience. Are you interested in ESL programs, enrichment opportunities, recreational activities, or preparation for returning to school in the fall?

ESL Programs-intensive or supplementary

Whether you are preparing for full-time academic study or simply want to to speak better English, 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 Summer Programs, located in Southern California, offer ESL for students from beginning to advanced levels, ages 8-18. Students may also take TOEFL preparation, or a variety of other academic courses. Afternoons are spent in sports and recreational activities. International students interact with American peer tutors and other American students, travel to local attractions, and enjoy outdoor camping.

Such ESL programs may be found in several geographic locations throughout the United States. They offer opportunities for students to practice everyday conversation in a variety of settings.

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.

Enrichment

Students may also choose summer programs that provide personal enrichment.

Students who are fluent in English and have completed their junior year in high school may earn university credit, choose from more than 200 courses and experience university life in Harvard University's eight-week summer Secondary School Program. Through Harvard's College Choices Program, the students attend a university fair, a workshop in writing their college application essays, and seminars on selecting and applying to a university. They also visit other prestigious universities around New England.

Many high school students across the United States take advantage of summer programs that expose them to different careers before they start university. At the Catholic University of America, pre-college students have a window into the professional worlds of architecture, engineering, music and media studies, taking advantage of Washington, D.C.'s resources. For example, architecture students visit national monuments and buildings, opera students have the opportunity to work with professionals at the Washington Opera and chamber musicians meet and play with members of the National Symphony Orchestra. CUA's programs are one to three weeks and include on-campus housing and meals along with chaperoned visits to national museums and monuments.

Recreation

There are, also, several recreational programs and specialty camps to choose from. 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.

Summer at Oak Ridge Military Academy in North Carolina can involve a three-week academic Summer School with courses for credit, acceleration, enhancement and enrichment, or a three-week Leadership Adventure Camp for leadership training, athletics and recreational activities. You can choose one program or participate in both.

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.

You may also contact the American Camping Association for a list of accredited camps. ACA accredited camps have met and passed over 300 standards that the Association considers basic to camp operation.

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.

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

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