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Why Spend Your Summer Studying in the United States?
Thousands of young people from around the world attend a variety of summer programs throughout 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?
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 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
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.
The Fessenden School, a junior boarding school near Boston, Massachusetts, for younger students, has a 5-week summer ESL program for international students ages 10-15. 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.
At Educational Consortium Institute (ECI) in California, “open enrollment” allows Summer Intensive English Language students to attend all or part of a ten-week program. Outside of their ESL classes, students participate in activities with American “conversation partners” and take field trips to San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
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.
Georgetown University in Washington, DC, prepares students for both university and careers through Summer Programs for High School Students. Rising sophomores and juniors can study in programs including International Relations, American Politics and Public Affairs, National Security and Counterintelligence, Journalism, Law and Society, Leadership and Ethics, Business, Environmental Science, Information Technology, and Sports Industry Management. Students can also take university-level courses and earn up to six official university credits from Georgetown. Students learn through interactive engagement including field trips, group projects, and discussions with recognized experts.
Glenholme Summer Camp provides a therapeutic environment on the campus of the Devereux Glenholme School in Connecticut. In two five-week summer sessions, young people strengthen academic and social skills, along with developing positive relationships with their peers and with adult supervisors.
Weekday mornings, students attend school for individualized academic instruction, where they learn at their own pace. Technology is an integral part of the program with activities such as photography, remote cars and planes, and operating a radio station.
Students are also given different challenges and teamwork exercises such as field trips to amusement parks and Broadway shows, cooking classes, and a “High Adventures” ropes course.
Preparation for University
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.
Georgetown University Preparatory Program is a five-week program that offers a series of classes in English, math and university research and study skills for university-bound students. In all aspects of the instruction, the importance of critical thinking is underscored. The program also includes community-building workshops to allow time for students to reflect and evaluate their academic and personal progress.
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.
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.
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