Vanita Uppal talks about how taking a summer school course can be beneficial for students and help in their holistic development
Summer holidays have thrown open a vast array of opportunities for summer schools. The 10-day to two-week courses have gained popularity in offering innovative academic and non-academic courses that span a variety of fields and interests. In an overly competitive international environment, parents and children of year 10 and 11 of the IB Diploma course and Class X and XI (Indian system) are pursuing summer programmes to gain an inside edge.
Students experience campus life, explore and develop leadership and communication skills and gain a global perspective from a multi-cultural environment. Students at The British School have chosen summer school programmes at Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and Oxford Royale Academy.
These programmes enable students to refine key skills of critical thinking and creativity. They are able to build on the IB learner profile which encourages them to become communicators and engaged thinkers. Some students join these schools to get an insight into fields that they are considering for college education. They can be particularly helpful for specialised fields like sports journalism.
Taught by industry gurus these courses enhance students’ understanding of the field and provide them with cutting-edge knowledge when applications are made to universities. A two-week intensive academic programme held at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia combines academic sessions and hands-on workshops with organised field trips and cultural activities and provides high school students with the opportunity to ‘experience Ivy league university life in a supportive and supervised setting as well as collaborate and work effectively with a diverse group of people.
Summer schools are competing to offer extra and include courses that will better prepare a student for college, even introduce them to professional fields of study that are gaining popularity. The Global Paths Summer Programme in the UK prepares candidates for student life, exploring six different campuses and cities, and develop skills for success through a real-life problem solving project presented to a panel at Manchester University. They also help choose the right university through genuine experience and honest professional guidance.
Collaborative programmes with the world-renowned schools, which have an array of famous graduates/alumni is another draw. Recognising the value of summer school, The British School has partnered with The University of Warwick, to bring the Summer School experience on site and create an outstanding educational opportunity for students not just from our school, but from schools across New Delhi and other cities in July this year.
It should be remembered that summer school does not guarantee admission to a particular university, but it certainly influences a student’s final decision. The sheer variety of options and offerings for summer school can be intimidating. It is important to identify what one is looking for.
Finding the right fit university and course is critical to a student’s career, and should be one of the important considerations before joining summer school. The experience should somewhat fill the gap between high school and higher education plans. Apart from positive international experience and knowledge gain, it should enable a student to make an informed choice.
The author is Director, The British School, Delhi