Summer Schools and Summer Programmes have been around for a long time, and America was the original market leader in running University-based summer schools, directed mainly at University aged students. However, over the past few years, there has been a move towards more university summer schools for high school students, and the UK has quickly followed suit. With the US being the home of the traditional summer camp, they have, for many years, promoted and acknowledged the incredible benefits that attending a residential summer camp or school has on young people.
More and more, the benefits of attending a high quality summer program both the US and UK are being realised by parents, teachers, schools, and young people all over the world, but we are often asked to explain more about the benefits of attending a summer school. So this article is going to highlight some of the key benefits of attending a good international summer school.
Develops a Social Understanding
If you choose a genuine International Summer School (and by that we mean one that caters to a broad nationality mix and doesn’t have a large percentage of one nationality) the benefits to young people are phenomenal. When students from lots of different nationalities are put under one roof, they learn about each other’s cultures, religions, education, politics, and general thinking. They learn to grow together in a healthy and supportive environment and ultimately, bringing people together in an international setting breaks down so many social barriers, creating a greater understanding of the world around them and helping young people to realise we are all connected. Suddenly the world around them becomes more relevant, and more connected, which in turn builds a much-needed understanding and creates international friendships. When students return home, watching news events from around the world is no longer just about countries that are not relevant to them, they become countries that are home to their friends, creating global citizens who understand their place in the world.
Increases Confidence and Social Skills
One of the most documented benefits of attending a summer school is the confidence it gives young people. Many students who arrive at a summer programme might not have been away from home before, and attending a summer school allows them to explore their independence in a supervised and supportive environment that has been specifically designed for them. Residential summer schools also give students an incredible opportunity to develop their social skills. Students learn to interact and make friends from day one and for a large number of them, they do so in their second language. For many, this is the first time in a long time that they have had to make new friends or interact with people on a daily basis whom they do not know, which is great practice for entering a new school or when students begin university.
Develops Academic Skills and Learning
Summer Schools that offer academic subjects can provide a valuable learning environment for students. If the academics are taught to a high level by qualified professionals in an inclusive and safe setting, students can gain university-level academic skills that will benefit them throughout their time at school and beyond. As summer schools often teach in a more experiential way than traditional schools, students are involved in the learning process and this often results in a deeper form of learning and applicable skills. Summer School programs often cover public speaking and presentation skills as well as helping students to develop leadership skills that help them both socially and in an academic setting.
Many summer schools offer English Language courses to those who do not have English as their first language. But summer schools that offer a full immersion programme and ensure that all aspects of the program are conducted in English, give students so much more confidence in speaking the language and the huge difference in their level of English proficiency when they return home is often commented on by parents. Even better if you can find a summer school that mixes native and non-native English speakers then you really start to see results both in English development and international understanding.
Summer Education Gives Students An Edge Applying to University
University admissions are hugely competitive, especially at the top institutions, with students from all over the world competing against each another to gain a place in their choice of subject. So how can someone stand out from the crowd when submitting their application? If everyone is achieving the required grades, participating in extracurricular activities at school, taking on volunteering roles, and generally going the extra mile, is there anything else that can be done to make university applications stand out?
Students who choose to spend part of their summer holidays studying, meeting people from around the world and having new cultural experiences demonstrate a willingness to learn and experience new things, a trait that university admissions teams seek out. Spending the summer taking an academic class and engaging in activities in a residential setting shows the person reading your application that you are eager to learn and stand out from your peers. Summer school students also gain a number of skills that can benefit them if and when they are invited to an admissions interview.
Promotes Physical Activity
More and more young people are spending long periods of time inside, choosing to play on electronics rather than taking part in sports or spending time outdoors. Especially after the last few years of life in a Covid-19 world, getting outside and participating in physical activity is more important than ever. Summer schools that have a good activity schedule promoting outdoor learning and activities have the added benefit of encouraging students to get outside and take part in physical activity. This encourages teamwork and communication skills whilst building their confidence.
Creates International Friendships
Attending a summer school allows students to meet others like them of a similar age, but from all over the world! Giving them the opportunity to make friends from different cultures and backgrounds. Every summer we see so many students developing friendships and it is incredible watching these friendships grow year on year as they stay in touch, visit each other in their home countries, meet up at university and go on to become friends long after their summer school experience.
