How to choose a summer school abroad in USA?

Posted by Evan on December 19th, 2020

Prestigious colleges and universities open their doors to junior and senior students from all over the world for the summer season, organizing summer schools and special courses that help students adapt to life in a new country, plunge into university life and experience the unique atmosphere of the campus. Students of summer schools have the opportunity to use the entire infrastructure of the educational institution, attend lectures and seminars, conduct research in laboratories and visit university libraries on a par with current students.

to study at the summer school, the student must be proficient in a foreign language at least at the b2 level. the program of summer schools includes the study of the language and certain subjects that are interesting to the student, for example, mathematics, international economics, world finance, introduction to business, trade and diplomacy, etc. humanitarians can combine the development of the language with the study of philosophy, world history, anthropology, fine arts, dance, etc. This is the main difference between summer schools and summer language courses, since the latter are mainly aimed at improving the student's language skills. In addition, you can sign up for language courses even with a "zero level" of knowledge of a foreign language, which is unacceptable for summer schools.
Schools at universities and colleges offer a wide range of programs that cover a variety of specialties: from engineering and humanities to architecture, fashion and photography. Students of summer schools do not spend their days at their desks, as the organizers offer them entertainment activities, sightseeing trips to the main attractions and other universities.
During the summer school, students learn more about the host country, its culture and national characteristics, get acquainted with foreigners, improve their language skills and learn a lot about their future specialty. Upon graduation, each student receives a certificate, which in the future can decorate the resume of a future applicant who wants to enter a prestigious foreign university.
Summer schools for elementary school students
For elementary school students, summer schools offer rich programs of learning English, several basic disciplines (usually mathematics, computer work, academic development) and additional ones at the request of the child (applied arts, music classes, learning an additional foreign language, theater skills, dance, fine arts, etc.). Classes are held in small groups of 6-10 people, which allows the teacher to pay attention to each child in the team. Schools do not impose too high language requirements for young students, the level of language will grow with each new lesson.
The duration and intensity of the courses depends on the specific summer school, but most training programs involve a period of training lasting 2-8 weeks with 20 classes per week. As a rule, summer schools have an excellent sports base, which makes classes even more exciting. Most of the centers have sections of athletics, fine arts. Often there is an indoor ice rink or swimming pool on the school grounds.
In summer schools, children live and study according to a clear schedule. Each lesson is given a certain amount of time, every day at least two hours children are engaged in homework. Even students spend their free time usefully: they practice the language they are learning, play on the playground under the supervision of teachers, attend educational clubs, and on weekends go on interesting excursions.
summer schools for high school students
High school students can expect an equally exciting program of study and recreation. in summer schools, high school students will have to work in a team, learn to make reports, presentations and scientific projects, improve their communication skills in a foreign language, develop the ability to think and reason, and find an extraordinary approach to solving ordinary problems.
Summer schools abroad offer a wide variety of areas of study: business, world economy, finance and banking, in-depth study of foreign languages, as well as humanities and technical disciplines. Teenagers have the opportunity to choose the desired training program: several basic and additional subjects. As a rule, compulsory subjects include mathematics, learning English and 1-2 more subjects. Students choose other disciplines independently. This can be courses in fine arts, music, IT, learning another foreign language, artistic modeling from clay, acting, etc
. Teachers of summer schools practice a non-trivial approach to learning: teenagers develop critical thinking skills, the ability to work in a team, show their leadership qualities through debates, discussions and participation in scientific projects. Classes are held in small groups of 10-12 people, which allows the teacher to find an individual approach to each student.
Each summer school develops its own course of study of a certain duration and intensity, as a rule, the program is designed for 2-8 weeks, there are also semester programs (16-18 weeks). The intensity of classes depends on the age and basic knowledge of students. Most high school students spend at least 20 hours a week in class.
School students study hard, but also find time for entertainment and excursions. As a rule, on the territory of summer schools there are green areas for playing frisbee, yoga, fitness, swimming pools, stadiums for playing football and other sports games. Sightseeing programs include visits to local attractions, amusement parks, museums, cinemas and even shopping.
In some summer schools at well-known universities, the training program is aimed at preparing students for admission to prestigious universities. For example, at a school at Berkeley University, students choose several core subjects, two additional subjects, and one seminar. Core subjects include English, entrepreneurship, principles of economics, archaeology, robotics, introduction to medicine, psychology, and even making short films. Naturally, the choice of the main disciplines depends on the future specialty of the teenager.
As for additional subjects, students of the summer school can choose several disciplines from the following list: public speaking skills, essay writing, psychopathology, marketing and the digital world, urban design and design, introduction to genetics, video game design, SAT preparation, etc. Students can take a break from their studies at special seminars, which include individual fitness classes, participation in the debate club, training in the art of photography, attending acting courses, and so on. As a rule, summer programs for preparing students for admission to universities are designed for teenagers in grades 9-11.

What is included in the mandatory list of subjects?

English language course
As with regular language courses, learning English in summer schools is based on four components: grammar development, listening comprehension, reading and oral speech development. On the first day of classes, students are tested to determine the current level of knowledge of the language. Next, teachers form groups of 6-12 people who have approximately the same level of English proficiency. Further, students take a foreign language course in accordance with the requirements of the program, classes are held daily. In addition, children practice the language outside the classroom, interacting with their peers. In some summer schools, it is also possible to prepare for the TOEFL or IELTS exam (students analyze the test structure in detail, solve test tasks, and write essays).
Mathematics course (algebra, geometry and the beginning of analysis)
in summer schools, a lot of time is devoted to the study of mathematics, the training program and the intensity of classes are selected depending on the chosen course and additional subjects. If a high school student is preparing to enter the university for a technical specialty in summer school, it is natural that mathematics will become one of the core subjects for him.

Comfortable learning environment

The summer schools have the most comfortable conditions for learning: a small number of students in groups, experienced teachers and psychologists, a wide range of programs and extracurricular activities, sports grounds, football and basketball fields, tennis courts and even swimming pools are located on the territory of the schools.
A clear schedule
Each school day of students is carefully planned, a certain amount of time is allocated for mandatory classes, meals, additional courses, homework preparation and sleep. Of course, in the schedule of students, a special place is occupied by free time, sports and excursions. In summer schools, children always have something to do.
New acquaintances and introduction to a new culture
studying in summer schools abroad, students find new friends, get acquainted with the traditions and culture of the host countries. children are not afraid to communicate in a foreign language, because they practice it even in their free time with their peers from all over the world. in addition, without parental care, students become more independent.
High chances of admission to a prestigious university
Having received the experience of studying at a summer school abroad, the student understands how high the educational bar is at prestigious universities abroad, and for admission you will have to make every effort. This is a huge incentive to continue studying and improve the language. In addition, a note in the academic resume about the end of the summer school abroad will be a strong argument in favor of the future applicant.

Source:

Garcia Scholars – Stony Brook University

Washington University of Barbados

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Camp