Travel abroad while staying close to home through these six U.S.-based summer programs.
Studying abroad is a bucket-list experience for many college students. However, even though many international programs have been canceled or postponed, this does not mean students have to leave the box unchecked. From New York City to San Francisco, there are plenty of U.S.-based study programs for students who want to enjoy the kinds of experiences that international study offers while staying domestic.
National Student Exchange
From the Aloha State to the Garden State, The National Student Exchange (NSE) offers collegiate study away programs for students seeking a change of scenery this summer. In partnership with its roster of nearly 100 universities, NSE enables students to broaden their educational perspective through research, field study or internships. In addition, students can enjoy the luxury of living in a new city and studying alongside some of the nation’s top professors and experts, all while completing their degrees. And for students who want to pursue graduate school, the NSE program is a perfect way to get a taste of the future that awaits them.
New York Arts Program
Known for its eclectic community and commitment to the extraordinary, New York City is the perfect destination for students pursuing a career in the creative industry. The New York Arts Program puts students’ creativity to work through its immersive, semester-long study away experiences in the Big Apple. The organization’s faculty works closely with students to build a comprehensive program in writing and publishing, theater and dance, music, the visual arts and more. The program also includes internship placements, seminars and events throughout the semester and a final capstone project. Students who participate in the New York Arts Program live in a historic hotel in the center of Brooklyn Heights, meaning that their experience will be just as fulfilling inside the classroom as it is outside.
American University’s Washington Semester Program
A summer spent in the nation’s capital is the perfect way to jumpstart a life dedicated to political advocacy for current students and future changemakers. American University’s Washington Semester Program (WSP) pairs internships in politics, international policy and journalism, with coursework delivered by local, national and global experts. The program also includes several “Here to Career” workshops that help students develop the skills they need to be successful in the future and seminars to supplement each course. With the heart of American democracy as a campus, students are sure to gain both knowledge and an appreciation for a life dedicated to public service through American University WSP.
Mathematical Association of America
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) furthers the understanding of our world through mathematics with the help of its community of mathematicians, students and enthusiasts. In partnership with institutions such as Carnegie Melon University and the University of Nebraska, MAA enables students to actively participate in research in the area of applied mathematics. Not only will students have the opportunity to learn and research at a top university, but the program will also enable students to explore the rigors of graduate school to make an informed decision on whether to apply. Each program lasts roughly eight weeks, meaning that students can balance academic study and fun during their summer vacations.
University of California, Berkeley
Nestled in San Francisco’s Bay Area, The University of California Berkeley’s campus boasts both historical and contemporary architectural styles. Just a short drive away from the university lies the Golden Gate Bridge, famous cable cars and an eclectic Chinatown district. Surround yourself with some of the nation’s best examples of architectural design while participating in the university’s Summer Institute of Environmental Design. This six-week program, offered to college seniors, includes three introductory programs in architecture, landscape architecture and sustainable city planning. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to test their enthusiasm for environmental design while also immersing themselves in all that the Bay Area offers.
Georgetown University Honors Institutes
Located just a few blocks away from American University, Georgetown University is perfect for students who still want to experience the Washington, D.C. area with a broader academic focus. Each summer, the university invites students from partnership universities to participate in its Summer Honors Institutes. Students may enroll in various courses that cover topics such as business, humanities, foreign languages and international relations. In addition to their studies, students will have the opportunity to live on campus and meet students from around the globe in this five-week immersive program in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
