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Summer programmes are run by universities for students who wish to broaden their horizons by spending a period of time in another country, while at the same time adding to their academic achievement in a structured environment.
They typically last for between 3 and 8 weeks and consist of a mix of academic, cultural and social activities designed to give students intellectual stimulation, an insight into other cultures and a more international orientation.
Advantages of summer programmes
These programmes provide the opportunity to live and study in a different country, to improve skills for language students and gain new perspectives on the subjects studied in general They foster an international awareness and develop an appreciation of cultural differences. Many students make life-long friends and return to their home countries with a new understanding of the similarities between people of different cultures, and not just the differences. Spending time on summer programmes also develops self-confidence and independence, and graduates whose CVs show evidence of time spent studying in a foreign country are more attractive to prospective employers who operate in the global marketplace.
Examples of Summer Programmes
Most UK universities offer summer programmes for their own undergraduates, and it is also possible to attend summer programmes arranged independently by institutions abroad. Students should check with their university to find out what opportunities exist. The internet is also a good place to find information on summer programmes. Here are a few examples chosen to be as representative as possible, without endorsing any particular programme.
The University of Glasgow offers its undergraduate students programmes at partner universities around the world. These include:
• The University of Hong Kong, which offers four week summer programmes which aim at enhancing the awareness of the importance of Asia in world affairs. It includes field trips in Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Seoul.
• Three Japanese universities offering summer programmes of between 4 and 6 weeks in Japanese language and culture with small classes, workshops and local excursions, based in Akita, Tokyo, and Kyushu.
• There are 6-week intensive summer programmes at the Korea University about Korean culture, politics, economy and history.
• The University of Bologna (Italy) offers summer programmes of courses in language and literature, taught in English.
• The IESEG, the well known business school associated with the Lille Catholic University, runs 4 week summer programmes to promote international business education.
• Munich University (Germany) offers German language courses, and also other courses taught in English, with a variety of summer programmes available in July and Augusts.
The University of Nottingham enables its students to study abroad through Summer Schools and Short Term Projects. Tuition fees are normally waived and travel bursaries may also be awarded. Destinations include:
• Korea University, Seoul: the 6 week summer programmes includes lectures from international experts, cultural workshops, field trips and a Buddy Programme to ensure that students feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China: 5 week summer programmes in the Chinese language and culture.
• Kobe College, Hyogo, Japan: the aim of these two week summer programmes is to develop mutual understanding and friendship between the British and Japanese students, and to stimulate an interest in Japanese society and culture.
• The Global Village Project, Jordan: students from the School of Sociology and Social Policy are placed with a resource centre for four week summer programmes, during which they assist Jordanian high school students with using English as a second language. The students are also able to visit Petra, the Dead Sea and Jerash.
The University of Leicester offers first year students Summer Schools which are run in the country whose language they are studying. These are three week long summer programmes subsidised by the university. The Schools are in:
• Montpellier, France;
• Cologne, German.;
• Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy; and
• Santiago de Compostella, Spain.
The programmes include tuition, cultural activities, excursions, sports and leisure opportunities.
The Cornell Club of London, which is made up of UK based Alumni of Cornell University, offer scholarships for UK undergraduate students to study in the USA during six week summer programmes. There is a wide rang of courses on offer as well as excellent educational, cultural and sports facilities at the 745 acre campus close to New York. The scholarships cover:
• tuition costs for two courses (up to nine credits)
• housing costs for six weeks
• meal costs up to $15.00 per day.
The Copenhagen Business School runs six week summer programmes open to international students. Credits of 15 ECTS are available from two courses. Both undergraduate and postgraduate courses are available. Leisure activities include visits to Copenhagen and the surrounding villages, beaches and forests, a cruise to Oslo or perhaps a train trip to Berlin.
For students wishing to travel further afield, Bond University of Robina, Queensland, Australia, offers both four week and six week summer programmes. The programmes include at least 40 hours of formal lectures, and the subject studied is AUST11-203 Australian environmental issues. This is worth 7.5 in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Highlights of the summer programmes include:
• visits to Heron Island, a coral cay, part of the Great Barrier Reef;
• snorkelling;
• trips to Harvey Bay and World Heritage listed Fraser Island;
• boat trips to observe migrating whales and their young;
The subject AUST-11-203 focuses on habitats and flora and fauna in the sub-tropical and tropical areas of Queensland. It examines the history of environmental issues and best management practices, especially the need for tourism to be compatible with the environmentally sustainable use of ecologically sensitive areas. The Australian east coast is considered from the days of the whalers to the whale-watchers of today, and the threats to the rainforests from past and current exploitation are compared.
Fees for the summer programmes, excluding travel costs to and from home countries, are AUD $12,210 for the six week programme and AUD $7,480 for the four week programme.
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